Posted on Jun 25, 2014
What's the better deal, 20 years for retirement or Medical Retirement?
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Let me start by saying that I have a 111111 PULHES, which means that I'm fully fit (for any duty for non-Army personnel), with no physical or mental limitations. However, after obtaining the rank of SSG/E-6, I have completed a few tours in SL/TL and Section Sergeant time and see a lot of SMs who have been in 4 years or less getting full benefits with an MEB.
I fully concur that those people who are legitimately hurt or injured, mentally or physically, during their stint in the military, should receive compensation for their damages. However, as someone who signed on with full intentions to do 20 years and obtain a nice way of living and an honest retirement, I sometimes consider it a slap in the face for someone who hasn't contributed anything to have it much easier than I will, having to serve for another ump-teen years.
Counter-arguments to this post will imply that I should not worry about what others do. Agreed. I will worry, however, about myself and all the other warriors out here that serve, honorably, domestic and abroad (which a lot of these MEB warriors haven't) who have to carry the load for people who are only into this to get a quick payout over the rest of their lives.
Of course, us here on RP already carry burdens for people who don't appreciate it or contribute much to their own cause, but first-termers who exit the military on an MEB with less than debilitating injuries/illnesses is in my opinion, unquestionably absurd. What say you?
I fully concur that those people who are legitimately hurt or injured, mentally or physically, during their stint in the military, should receive compensation for their damages. However, as someone who signed on with full intentions to do 20 years and obtain a nice way of living and an honest retirement, I sometimes consider it a slap in the face for someone who hasn't contributed anything to have it much easier than I will, having to serve for another ump-teen years.
Counter-arguments to this post will imply that I should not worry about what others do. Agreed. I will worry, however, about myself and all the other warriors out here that serve, honorably, domestic and abroad (which a lot of these MEB warriors haven't) who have to carry the load for people who are only into this to get a quick payout over the rest of their lives.
Of course, us here on RP already carry burdens for people who don't appreciate it or contribute much to their own cause, but first-termers who exit the military on an MEB with less than debilitating injuries/illnesses is in my opinion, unquestionably absurd. What say you?
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Retirement
Retirement
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 15
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SFC Young - Do your 20 years and retire. Way better deal, financially and mentally.
Unfortunately, and sadly, there are a few folks who join the military for a "quick-buck". Rest assured, that the VA IG has caught a few "fakers" out there.
For sure when you retire, you will not be the same person you were, in a physical and medical sense, when you started. So there will be options to also apply for VA benefits, depending on your condition.
It is OK to worry, I think as you do, but my advice is to not let the perceived unfairness consume your integrity.
Unfortunately, and sadly, there are a few folks who join the military for a "quick-buck". Rest assured, that the VA IG has caught a few "fakers" out there.
For sure when you retire, you will not be the same person you were, in a physical and medical sense, when you started. So there will be options to also apply for VA benefits, depending on your condition.
It is OK to worry, I think as you do, but my advice is to not let the perceived unfairness consume your integrity.
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I know this post is old but I have serious questions about this. I'm getting medboarded and I have over 20 years in, 10 deployments and a while list of issues both physical and mental. I was told today that if the medical board sees me fit to retire then I would be retired at 21 years like a normal retirement but with ability to claim any disability what so ever? Is this true?
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A four year medical is nowhere near a 20 year standard retirement in terms of dollars. The do have the option to also claim against VA benefits and that figure varies based on amount of VA recognized disability. There are many variables that impact both. You are on track to serve healthy and retire honorably, be proud. I will also say that it is very hard for someone to fake a medical condition that would warrant medical retirement. This is also true of VA disability. Thank you for your service.
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20 years.
Look at it this way, if you're hurt enough to retire medically, and you do you're 20, you'll get your retirement check PLUS medical disability. If you simply retired medically, you would ONLY get the medical portion.
Look at it this way, if you're hurt enough to retire medically, and you do you're 20, you'll get your retirement check PLUS medical disability. If you simply retired medically, you would ONLY get the medical portion.
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SSG,
I understand where you are coming from. I fully intended to do a full 20 years, if not more, like my dad, and my grandfather and my great grandfather and so on, (My family has been an unbroken line of military all the way back to the Revolutionary War), but because of an injury I sustained during workups which caused permanent damage to my brain and has brought on epilepsy, memory impairment, and the future onset of dementia, I am not able to continue my career. Looking at me, I look fine (not so pretty to look at, but what Marine ever really is lol) but the effects of my disabilities is that my spouse has to become my caregiver, driving me everywhere, reminding me to do certain things, like take my medication and eat. My medications cost $120 for one bottle. I have lost the ability to do the work I went to college for, I am hard pressed to find a job, because no one wants a liability on their hands. I have lost the option to be independent and looking at me you would never know. This jarhead has too much pride to admit it. I have only been in the Marine Corps for a little over a year and I have to get out. The point is what may seem minor from an outside observer may not actually be minor. Not to say there aren't times when people are faking or exaggerate their conditions, but I can't really comment on whether they are or not, I'm not their physician.
V/R,
Lcpl Broke Dick
I understand where you are coming from. I fully intended to do a full 20 years, if not more, like my dad, and my grandfather and my great grandfather and so on, (My family has been an unbroken line of military all the way back to the Revolutionary War), but because of an injury I sustained during workups which caused permanent damage to my brain and has brought on epilepsy, memory impairment, and the future onset of dementia, I am not able to continue my career. Looking at me, I look fine (not so pretty to look at, but what Marine ever really is lol) but the effects of my disabilities is that my spouse has to become my caregiver, driving me everywhere, reminding me to do certain things, like take my medication and eat. My medications cost $120 for one bottle. I have lost the ability to do the work I went to college for, I am hard pressed to find a job, because no one wants a liability on their hands. I have lost the option to be independent and looking at me you would never know. This jarhead has too much pride to admit it. I have only been in the Marine Corps for a little over a year and I have to get out. The point is what may seem minor from an outside observer may not actually be minor. Not to say there aren't times when people are faking or exaggerate their conditions, but I can't really comment on whether they are or not, I'm not their physician.
V/R,
Lcpl Broke Dick
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