What advice should I give to someone who is receiving a Navy boot camp medical separation?

2019-03-25T22:12:47-04:00

This grandpa is bummed and upset.

Bummed because my granddaughter has been injured in boot camp, several fractures in knee and ankle. She is in Separation Ship, awaiting time to come home.

Upset because she’s telling us she is recieving no medical care, not even an asprin. Hard for me to belive or accept.

She tells us she can try again in 6 months.

What advice should I give her? What does she need to know?

I can’t do much right now, can’t even contact her except through mail.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Mar 25 at 2019 10:26 PM

2019-03-25T22:26:21-04:00

Grandpa to Grandpa, I ran an Orthopaedic medical practice for eight years. While that certainly doesn't make me medically qualified in any way, I do know that once the bones are set, it's a waiting game. If she suffered some simple fractures, the docs may be just waiting for the bone to grow enough to make them confident she's OK to send home. Not minimizing your granddaughter's condition, but it is something like watching the grass grow once everything is set up. It's been ten years since any of my kids were active duty, their military medical care was excellent at the time.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 25 at 2019 11:34 PM

2019-03-25T23:34:03-04:00

You served in USN, Bill, does that sound like the Navy to you? Especially with bone fractures involved.

Response by SFC George Smith made Mar 26 at 2019 12:09 AM

2019-03-26T00:09:41-04:00

Might Want To Find Out Whats Going On And The Extent Of Injuries And Potential Long Term Damage … And Make Damn Sure There Is Documentation Of The Injury... And You Have... Or She Has Copies Of The Medical Records... If there Is Any questions See A Civilian Specialist...

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2019 1:34 AM

2019-03-26T01:34:06-04:00

Respectfully, if she’s receiving no medical care, how did she get evaluated for a medical separation? I understand you’re upset and frustrated, but no medical care/no aspirin simply doesn’t make sense. As you stated, “Hard for me to belive or accept.”

Also, if I might ask, you state, “several fractures in knee and ankle”. Did she suffer a nasty fall or serious injury? If not, I know many young soldiers get several stress fractures in Basic Training. Certainly severe, but not as bad as a multiple fracture traumatic leg injury.

I hope your granddaughter is ok. But bad news is like good news. If it’s too bad to be true, take it with a grain of salt.

Best of luck.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2019 9:39 AM

2019-03-26T09:39:45-04:00

I think, my dear old sea salt, that there is more to the story.
I am extremely dubious that she is not receiving care or pain suppression.
I think you know this, though.
What is important for grandpa to do is be supportive, get enough details to give sound advice, and encourage her to heal and get back in the fight.
Do you have the means to pay her a visit? It might be illuminating.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Mar 26 at 2019 10:44 AM

2019-03-26T10:44:58-04:00

My wife sort of went through the same thing last summer. She injured her ankle in Week 3 going into Week 4. After a few weeks of going back and forth, the doctors finally said she needed surgery. But prior to that they just had her in a walking boot and stuff. When it came time to decide on the surgery we had to make the call on if we wanted the Army to do it or to sign the AMA and just have her come home and we would get it done back home. Honestly, at first, I told her to get it done by the military but then when they said she would have to rehab in the barracks and we wouldn't be able to fly down to see her, I told her to sign the AMA. She came back home and we found out the doctors were not exactly spot on with their treatment. The doctor back here changed her diagnosis and 2 weeks after getting home she got a cyst removed from her ankle. The Army docs were saying she just sprained it. She spent 2 weeks after surgery not having the ability to walk or really do anything. Thankfully, my boss knew what was happening and I worked from home for two weeks to take care of her.

I guess that is the long way of me telling you the advice I would give her is to make sure she gets a copy of all her medical records BEFORE clearing. Then, go see a private medical professional within days of getting back. And the advice I would give you, which you probably already know, is to not talk down about her not completing training because of the injury. Be the supportive grandpa and just reminder that where one door closes, another opens.

Response by PFC Elijah Rose made Mar 30 at 2019 7:21 PM

2019-03-30T19:21:58-04:00

Tell her it means nothing whatsoever. The military chapters tens of thousands of people without some much as a glance. Out in the real world, no one will care about a chapter. It's so common you could easily bump into someone else who got chaptered at a job interview, even though the subject is taboo in the military.

Tell her it was personal. Someone she knows of either has it out to get her, or has some agenda to make recruits "tougher." Nothing she did or did not do would have changed anything.
Tell her that in spite all the lies she'll hear, people do come back after a chapter. Recruiters don't care, and I met one guy who said he never mentioned his prior adventures to his recruiters.
Tell her it isn't her fault, it's the Navy's. It's the collective stupidity.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Apr 2 at 2019 6:10 AM

2019-04-02T06:10:46-04:00

I understand you care and want to be there for her. But I would hesitate on any form of specific advice without knowing ALL of the particulars. You already suspect there is more going on here than she has told you.

That being said, what she needs to know is that she has a support system back home, and that if she really wants it, then that support system will help get her ready to try again.

Response by PO1 Bill Adams made Apr 2 at 2019 9:38 AM

2019-04-02T09:38:50-04:00

She's coming home tomorrow.
We may get some questions answered.

Thanks for all the info and advice.

I have learned the injury was just from marching and running. 10 stress fractures, both Femurs, both ankles, both bones in the left leg.
Once she gets home she will get the best of care, as she is returning to Dallas TX. Lots of high end Sports medicine doctors and therapists there. I understand she already has appointments set up.

She is getting 30 days of "medical" paid by Navy. I'm assuming that means TriCare.

One Dr. has said his therapist can teach her how to run without getting injured. I guess she should have seen him before she went. :)

She is saying she is going to get healthy, and try again. She has been told, "No sooner than 6 month."

Thanks!

Response by SGT John Fielden made Apr 2 at 2019 3:52 PM

2019-04-02T15:52:07-04:00

They march their buns off to weed out the weak knees.
Alot of steep "ladders" on ships.
Ensure SHE MAINTAINS AN RE-1 (reenlistment code) Status.
PS: MCRD is "Bootcamp".
All others are "Basic Training".

Response by SGT John Fielden made Apr 2 at 2019 3:54 PM

2019-04-02T15:54:26-04:00

I broke my R Fibula above the ankle in a parachute accident.
It takes a years to heal, then time to get back in shape.