today it all hit me...
 

Today was finally the day i receive my PEB summery packed from the Peblo officer. Im taking it to a lawyer for review before signing but its just been a day where idk what to think about all this. Just over a year ago i signed my contract to serve and now its being cut short due to(IMO) the lamest injury i could ever get.

About 8 months ago i tore the larbum in my hip during a morning run it seems. To me this is just pathetic after doing 8 years of dance and 2 years of cycling 10mile a day before my joining the service.

The army has decided to discharge me due to the fact that therapy is not helping the injury at all. It is only helping keep pain down to about 5(on the classic 10 scale), without therapy im about a 7 with need for painkillers. TRI-care does not believes that the surgery i need is experimental, so they will not approve of it. They feel i should either stay on pain killers or receive a full hip replacement at 21.

that being said, its all finally hit me that i know must go back to school, deal with this injury and figure out how im going to get a job. I dont want to turn this into a pity party one bit but wanted to explain for those who maybe wondering why such a young kid is leaving the army after a short service period, and also why i can be quiet scatterbrained at times. This is because quiet honestly, for me this is a lot to deal with and im still kinda trying to figure out how. Thoughts suggestions and advice on how to deal with this and what kinds of jobs i should look at getting as a nearly null experienced 21yr/old would be greatly appreciated.

;s for the horrible grammar for which this post contains. Also its unnecessary length.

Re: today it all hit me...
 

Hang in there and things will work out.:tu

Re: today it all hit me...
 

Devan,
My advice is to get a degree in Engineering, you have a good school right there in HSV at UAH. I am guessing you will be considered a disabled veteran, that can help when it comes time to get a job, especially with the military or Federal Government. I work as a civilian engineer for the USN. It is a very good job. PM me and I will give you my work # if you ever want to talk about this.

Re: today it all hit me...
 

Devan, you will be ok. Take the 9/11 bill and run with it, you made it though some of the toughest parts of the military and will run circles around the college kids from the learned discipline. And keep your chin up, your personality will take you a long way:tu

Re: today it all hit me...
 

i would but i am terrible with math, im looking for a business degree. In Marketing or logistics.

Re: today it all hit me...
 

I would suggest Logistics. Once again a military background can carry you very far in this field. There is a great Logistics internship NAVSEA offers, my door is always open if you want to talk. Make sure you get a degree in a marketable field, don't waste the chance.

Re: today it all hit me...
 

Ever thought of becoming a Physical Therapist? You have some background having to go through it yourself and there's always going to be a need for people in the profession.

Re: today it all hit me...
 

I have no advice but wanted to wish you good luck. :tu

Re: today it all hit me...
 

Whatever you do decide, get into something you like. Just because some jobs may pay more, there's something to say about a job that you enjoy getting up to do everyday.
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Re: today it all hit me...
 

I can't disagree with this.

Re: today it all hit me...
 

That is sage advice. I worked a job for 19 and 1/2 years that I liked ok for about the first ten, then absolutely loathed for the last 7 or 8. It paid the bills, but that's all I can say about it.

Re: today it all hit me...
 

Make sure you get set up at your local Veterans Administration hospital and I would also go speak with a DAV (Disabled American Veterans) rep (go see the DAV rep first). You are entitled to collect disability. How much depends on what rating you get, I.E. 20% disabled etc. Good luck Bro.

Re: today it all hit me...
 

Hey Devan -- you are a smart guy and I think things will work out for you. Figure out what you like to do and what you are good at and pursue it. You are young enough yet to be able to tackle a new career and I have confidence in your ability to succeed!

Re: today it all hit me...
 

Road Trip. Sort yourself Brother. Your Lost. Take some time to explore, thought provoking and mind numbing experiences. Truly find what you love to do and do it.

That's all I got. Bobby is good people. Pick his brain while the opportunity is there.

Re: today it all hit me...
 

Devan my heart goes out to you. Remember it is your life not some VA rep or some PEBLO. Fight for what you feel is right. If there is science and fact behind a different surgery have a consult with your PCM and have them include notes about talking to you about it. If they still say no because it is not approved then go to a civilian leader I.E. Congress or Senate. Now if you can not find that science or you are not a candidate for that surgery dont go making a big stir. You may not know but I am in similar shoes only at 15years. I have learned a lot so if you have questions please PM me.

Take you time and have a plan. Have the plan start with a nice smoke the day you get out and say good bye to your last step as the sun sets and prepare to say hello when the sun rises to a new path.

Re: today it all hit me...
 

everything will be ok. leaving the military is always a hard thing to do cause you are used to that life style and now you feel like you are just dumped back into the world. everything will be ok.

look for a job to pay the bills while you decide what feild you wanna go into.

dont rush anything brother it will all be ok. you know we are here for you.

Re: today it all hit me...
 

Damn sorry to hear this Devan. I know I bust your balls alot, but I really hope you do find something you enjoy. Like Chingas said, go out and explore. You're still very young and have a lot of life ahead of you. Take a trip, go somewhere you've never been, enjoy life. You only got one.

Re: today it all hit me...
 

Looking to call them this weekend before I sign. Looking at an initial 20% from the army then adjusted by the VA

If things work out, I like this road trip you speak of.

Thanks for this advice, it should prove helpful. Also, good luck with your own situation.


Bobby, ill get ahold of you soon. I need to get this paper work delt with first.



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Re: today it all hit me...
 

My wife runs marathons and developed a labrum tear as well. That is a real tough injury to treat, she has just been pushing through it. It sounds like your tear is worse though, hers is not so painful.

I think the guys are right about figuring out what you really want to do before starting school. School is expensive (take it from me I just started grad school), so it is best to get it right the first time. Best of luck.

Re: today it all hit me...
 

Sorry to hear about your injury Devan. Have you consulted an attorney yet? The military make be liable for your injury and responsible for future rehab. You may want to seek a civilian attorney because as I remember when I served, they tend to look out for the militaries best interest.

Always keep your head up brother, things happen for a reason that we may not yet understand. Your path has already been chosen, just try your best to follow it.

Re: today it all hit me...
 

They are liable and will for at the very least the next 5 years I believe.

Re: today it all hit me...
 

I am sorry for your injury and hope this all gets worked out for you. Thank you for your service! :salute:

Re: today it all hit me...
 

It's just a fork in the road of life, brother. Good luck!

Re: today it all hit me...
 

chingas, as something to get my mind off of this. Im starting to think of what to do for a road trip. Besides maybe visiting some of you that i regularly chat with, and some friends. What are some other things to do?

Re: today it all hit me...
 

Devan...I gotta agree with a few prior suggestions. Go get your college education first and foremost. That degree will open many doors for you...and give you some time to decidde what you really want to do. :2

Re: today it all hit me...
 

+1

Good luck, it will all work out if you do what you want to do. Maybe it's time to take an interest inventory and aptitude test?

Re: today it all hit me...
 

where might i take a interest test? I did take the armys aptitude test and they seem to think im pretty smart. :sh

Re: today it all hit me...
 

Ocean to Ocean Brother. I drive from Jersey to Cali and stopped everywhere in-between. All in all was about a month on the road. Can't even begin to tell you all the people I met, things I seen, things I've done. It was a great experience that I wish I could do again sometime soon.

Re: today it all hit me...
 

Man, to be young again. I'd love to do this before I die.

Re: today it all hit me...
 

I Agree, Devan! Take A Month Off & See The Country, Go Back To School & Get A Degree In Some Area You're Interested In. Best Of Luck To You, Brother!:tu

Re: today it all hit me...
 

We will have to talk about this more and see how you planned it

Re: today it all hit me...
 

Devan, sorry for your injury but most imortantly, thank you for the time you have given to this country. A path has been set in front of you that only you can decide what is best for you. All the advice given here soo far is great and comes from people that have seen and exerienced more than many ever will. Take your time and do what will make you happy. Good luck and you have everyone here to turn to for advice anytime you need it.

Re: today it all hit me...
 

Man, I'm sorry to hear this. I have no advice to add that hasn't already been mentioned, so I'll say good luck in your decision in what to do next. -(P

Re: today it all hit me...
 

Just an update for those interested. Spoke with my lawer last night and will be refusing to sign my summary today. while I have a couple parts rewriten.

Re: today it all hit me...
 

Good luck. It sounds like you have an eye for the right path. Don't stray too far and the good choices will add up.

Re: today it all hit me...
 

I hope this is a good thing.

Re: today it all hit me...
 

they worded a few things wrong and apparently never told me about lab work they wanted to do..

-went and got the lab work done, This way ive complied with all requested treatments and diagnostics
-fixed where they said i dont gaurd my hip, which i do.
-fixed where they said i dont want surgery which i do.

Re: today it all hit me...
 

Sounds like you did the right thing than Devan. Good for you.

Re: today it all hit me...
 

Glad you went and made sure it says what you want Devan.

Re: today it all hit me...
 

Sounds like you're going Delta Force. This is the first step. They have to have a reason to get you off the books before they can put you on the clandestine. I saw it all in a movie. :banger

Re: today it all hit me...
 

^ :r :r yeah ok :tu :r

Re: today it all hit me...
 

still waiting to get my narative summary back but

Some good news to report. I got my acceptance letter for western michigan university for the fall. Will be going there for 1year then I'm hopping to transfer to MSU!

Re: today it all hit me...
 

Good Stuff, My daughter graduated from Western last year. She loved the school and the campus life....congrats

Re: today it all hit me...
 

Sweet Devan! :tu I know a couple good cigar shops over that way. Let me know when you're ready. :) One of my humidors is sitting in one of them. ;)

Re: today it all hit me...
 

That's some good news. Went to 6 different cigar shops around novi and didn't care for any of them.

Don't let me find out where that humi is, I might blind bomb you...

Re: today it all hit me...
 

:r Well, the humi is currently being used by the shop. I didn't have room for it at my house down here in TN so I left it behind hoping to return for it some day. Good news is that my inlaws live very close to Western so I will get to burn a few with you from time to time when I'm in town visiting. :banger

Re: today it all hit me...
 

Sounds like we could have some good times then. Hind sight is 20/20 and I'm going back to college. This will be interesting for sure in the fall

Re: today it all hit me...
 

It's never too late to go back. I think you are making a wise choice grasshopper.

Re: today it all hit me...
 

Ofcourse, I'm going to finish my bachlors in logistics with a minor in marketing and or economics.

Re: today it all hit me...
 

I've figured out some schooling, possible job, and what I need to do with the VA. I'm starting to get irritated with not being able to do anything. So besides spending all my money on cigars,knives and guns. I work out 5nights a week. What else can I do to distract myself and thus pass the time?
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