Posted on Sep 11, 2018
Can I get medically discharged for a knee injury sustained before basic training?
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I hurt my knee this weekend at RSP drill during a company run. I was told by urgent care that I might have a torn ligament, and to get an MRI in two weeks with my primary care physician. The problem is, I'm suppose to ship out to basic in less than 2 weeks. Is this something that could medically discharge me? I don't want to be sent to basic with a less than 100% knee due to the sheer amount of stress it will be under, but I also don't want to be kept in limbo for the next 6-9 months as I heal. Would I be able to be medically discharged, and re-enlist once I'm fully healed? Or is it once I'm medically discharged I'm discharged for good?
Posted in these groups: 
Basic Combat Training (BCT)
Basic Combat Training (BCT)
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 3
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It'd be best for everyone to sort this out before you leave, you don't want to get to BCT and immediately become a holdover for two months while waiting on a discharge (pseudo-prison conditions).
Talk to your recruiter, he can arrange some sort of delayed entry or if worse comes to worse he'll arrange an administrative discharge that will let you reenlist in 6 months. In either case, keep working out in whatever way your injury still lets you.
I know that BCT tends to overreact to injuries (to put it mildly), but the reason for that is the environment makes a whole lot of weird stuff happen. And the constant stress on your joints (like being screamed at to get in formation or whatnot) won't mix well with this injury.
Talk to your recruiter, he can arrange some sort of delayed entry or if worse comes to worse he'll arrange an administrative discharge that will let you reenlist in 6 months. In either case, keep working out in whatever way your injury still lets you.
I know that BCT tends to overreact to injuries (to put it mildly), but the reason for that is the environment makes a whole lot of weird stuff happen. And the constant stress on your joints (like being screamed at to get in formation or whatnot) won't mix well with this injury.
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PFC (Join to see) Good question. Have you mentioned this to your recruiter or your RSP Command?
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PFC (Join to see)
I told them both, and my RSP command told me they would cancel my ship date. I don't want to keep the Army waiting for me to heal, and to spend unnecessary money on me to attend the required drills if it's going to be months until I can even begin to start training again. It will be even longer if I require surgery.
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MAJ Ken Landgren
PFC (Join to see) - Don't quit if you have a chance to heal and get on the tracks to basic.
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SSG Matthew Koehler
You should ask your recruiter if ligament surgery disqualifies you for military service. Ask to see the regulations in writing.
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Carter Werkheisee
PFC (Join to see) I’m in the same boat as you were. What happened? Were you able to join later and with same MOS
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I have a very similar question or rather concern, I dropped 60lbs and packed on about15lbs of muscle to join, and worked out hard for a little over a year.. I am 3 months out from BCT, and am having major issue with pain and numbness, cracking and snapping when I move, and falling when my knees and ankles give out.. I am worried, that I will not be able to keep up or even pass Basic, I am really stressing over it..
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