Posted on Nov 29, 2014
What do you do when your entire career and degree was focused on a job you can no longer perform?
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What do you do when your entire career and degree was focused on a job you can no longer perform? I've been in the AF for 11.5 years. I just recently completed all of my requirements to get my commission as a medical officer in the AF or Army, something I worked towards my entire career. For the past 7 years I've been taking all of my required college courses and last year received my Bachelors degree then earlier this year received my national certification; everything I needed for my commission.
During my third deployment, I started having issues and now can no longer do my job or even walk inside a hospital. So what do I do now? Where do I go from here? I'm in the middle of an MEB but have no idea what to do when I get out. It's something I think about all of the time...it feels like all of the work I did was for nothing. I could definitely use some advice from the amazing people on RP. Thank you in advance.
During my third deployment, I started having issues and now can no longer do my job or even walk inside a hospital. So what do I do now? Where do I go from here? I'm in the middle of an MEB but have no idea what to do when I get out. It's something I think about all of the time...it feels like all of the work I did was for nothing. I could definitely use some advice from the amazing people on RP. Thank you in advance.
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Advice Medical Board
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 16
TSgt, this is actually something felt by many people when they leave the military, so you are far from alone. I struggled with this myself for a while. The following is what I learned in the process...
1) Think about the elements of what you enjoyed doing, and what you wanted to do... and try to decompose the "job" into what was it that you were actually excited about. In other words, try to separate the job itself with the elements of the job that you liked. This will help you identify those more fundamental aspects of what drives you, and therefore allow you to pursue those in new places. This will require a lot of introspection, but if you are successful, you will be in a much better spiritual place.
2) Understand that nothing you have ever done has been for nothing. While some of the book knowledge you may have learned will not be as relevant, the person you have become has only been possible through many years of hard work. The character, wisdom, and strength you have built is more valuable than any knowledge you gained, and you should not undervalue it.
3) Be open minded to change. Try not to look back on what you cannot change. Do not let it haunt you or to linger. Remember this prayer:
Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.
1) Think about the elements of what you enjoyed doing, and what you wanted to do... and try to decompose the "job" into what was it that you were actually excited about. In other words, try to separate the job itself with the elements of the job that you liked. This will help you identify those more fundamental aspects of what drives you, and therefore allow you to pursue those in new places. This will require a lot of introspection, but if you are successful, you will be in a much better spiritual place.
2) Understand that nothing you have ever done has been for nothing. While some of the book knowledge you may have learned will not be as relevant, the person you have become has only been possible through many years of hard work. The character, wisdom, and strength you have built is more valuable than any knowledge you gained, and you should not undervalue it.
3) Be open minded to change. Try not to look back on what you cannot change. Do not let it haunt you or to linger. Remember this prayer:
Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.
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TSgt Kristin Parsons
Thank you MAJ, it definitely helps some to know I'm not alone. I'm really not sure if I can use my degree for something else. That is something I will check into. Your words are wise and I truly appreciate your response. That prayer is one I say to myself everyday--it's gotten me through a lot :)
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SFC Mark Merino
(IF) the MEB comes down the pipe, I went through it, but that was in 2010. I can share what I know, but we will get you wired in with members who have more current experiences for you.
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First of all, TSgt Kristin Parsons, hang in there. I know you can use that drive, work ethic, and perseverance in whatever your future holds. The question I have is this: Can you use that degree in a similar field where you are able to perform the job? I'll bet the answer is yes. And even if the answer is "not sure," you can use your drive, work ethic, perseverance, etc., to work through the problem.
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TSgt Kristin Parsons
I hope I can use my degree but I'm not sure. I guess it depends on what field I get into after the military. I have a lot of soul-searching to do in the meantime.
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You are NOT alone by any means. It took 20 years to get a masters and I got the MEB at 18.5 years. Nothing is permanent unless we give up and then it stays permanent. Education is never a waste of time. Even if you do get separated, there is federal service and many jobs out there start off at a decent salary for someone with a solid background and a 4 yr degree.
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TSgt Kristin Parsons
Thanks for the quick reply SFC Merino. As I told the MAJ, it really helps to know that I'm not alone because sometimes it feels like it. Knowing I can't do a medical job anymore is hard to take in. I loved my career and now it's over. Guess it's time to come up with a "plan B."
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SFC Mark Merino
You are talking to a man that can disassemble an entire scout helicopter and manage a Squadron of 40 and it's workers and who can not ever work on aircraft again. I had a hard time making such a big life transition too. I made a lot of mistakes in the transition to civilianness I can spare you from. Feel free to msg me 24/7 on or offline, For now, listen to the Major. No point in worrying about things that we have no control over. It is never what we "did" that defines us; but what we continue to do.
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TSgt Kristin Parsons
So you really do understand what I'm going through. Thanks SFC Merino, I truly appreciate that.
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SFC Mark Merino
Never alone, kiddo. I thought it was the end of the world. Looking back, it was just scary because it was extremely foreign.
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