Son sent to Ship 17 this am-how to fight discharge?

[elizabeth]

Well I was on 2 days ago asking for help when I thought my son had been asmo'd. Turned out he was just getting counseling classes and was still on track to graduate. Yesterday however, he went to a sports doctor at Basic and was told he has multidirectional instability in his shoulder. This diagnosis came about with just a manipulation and feeling of his shoulder. From all I can find out about this it cannot be diagnosed without spcial x-rays, maybe an MRI and load-bearing tests. None of which were done. He was sent to Ship 17 this am and we got his phone call that he will see legal in 10 days. He wants to continue in the Navy-although from what I've read, maybe after ship 17 he won't!- and so he wants to fight this cursory diagnosis. My husband called legal this am and of course they have nothing yet, we have also written the ombudsman, but I feel really helpless and sad for my son. He is in his 5th week and was due to graduate July 11-now that is all out the window! Any advice on anything else I can do to get him back quickly in a division so that he can continue on? Also, if this indeed turns out to be a real problem and it is correctable, should he ask for a deferment rather than a discharge? He really wants to make the Navy his career! I don't want him lingering there as I have heard so many do! Because of this great website, I was able to get the info on both the legal and ombudsman so thank you everyone who are there for those of us who are trying to become real Navy Moms! If nothing else, prayers for my son would be great! Thanks!

[Rose R]

Hi, Elizabeth. I am sorry to hear of your son's problems. Who did your husband speak to in legal? 10 days sounds like a long wait. Chief Smith is in charge there. Ask to speak to him. Sometimes it helps contacting your congressman and asking them to get involved.I assume he didn't have this problem before basic training. Some parents have had success getting a second look etc by regular calls and Congressional involvement.If they discharge him, he needs to find out if the VA covers the injury. The last recruit who started asking for MRI's for an injury in boot camp got a RE4, which means they can't Re enlist in any branch of the military. There is info on Jason's page and blogs, also Kathy, who Jason left info for. I have info on my page about Ship 17. If they can go to Pearl Harbor or ship 6, the conditions are better, for there is better supervision. God bless you and your son.

[elizabeth]

Thanks for the info. I will check it all out. No he did not have this problem prior to basic and I'm not sure he even has this problem now. I don't know who he spoke to but will give him Chief Smith's name. Thank you so much and I'll try to keep my spirits up as I know this can go on for a while.

[elizabeth]

Oh one more thing I wanted to ask. Are we allowed to send them books? Just something I say on another post.

[Rose R]

You are allowed to send them books, as long as there is nothing anti American, or pornographic. You have to be sure of the correct address tho. There are more than one address for Ship 17. My son never got some of his mail, after he went to ship 17.

[Janell]

What are the different discharge ratings? I know you said RE4 means he can't enlist in any branch of the military, but what are the other ratings? I can't seem to find that information anywhere.

[Rose R]

Check thru the comments on Jeannies page. Jason left the whole list there. There is also a site called Military.com with the Discharge codes, plus a lot of other military info.

[Rose R]

I am sorry, it isn't on Jeannies page. Check Military.com

[Janell]

I couldn't find it on Military.com. However, I did find it at http://usmilitary.about.com/od/theorderlyroom/l/blcodemenu.htm , in case anyone has the same question in the future.

[Derek's mom - Diane]

Oh Elizabeth, I feel your pain. Fight with everything you've got!! It almost seems like they boot people out of 17 just so they don't have to deal with US any more!! I will keep your son in my prayers. Some seem to get out more quickly than others. I hope your son is one of the quicker ones. I will put him in my prayers and keep reminding yourself that you are his voice. Best of luck to both you and your son.

[elizabeth]

Thanks Diane. I know my son intends to fight this at least to make sure he gets a discharge that allows him to go back in. I seem to be overwhelmed by it all right now-haven't gotten much done today except think of him and get info together to send to him. But I guess that's enough to have accomplished!

[Ellen]

Hi, Elizabeth -
Welcome to the club that none of us wanted to join :( I have to agree with Rose - 10 days seems like a long time to wait to see what his option are. Is he getting any medical treatment?
My son, Jim, was also sent for Ship 17 - his situation was for his medical history of ADHD, not for an acute injury like your son's. I wrote blogs about it if you want to read his story, it's on my page. (I think you have to go to the blog section of my page and go to the bottom of that section to View Archives to get to the first one about his Ship 17 experience)
Even though his situation was different, there are a few things that we learned from it that may help you. My son had to make a formal request of the base commander to be returned to training. The people in the Legal Office helped him with that paperwork. He said he had to stand at attention outside the base commander's office for two hours while she considered his request (and others, I'm sure). I know he was scared to death! He never did see her, but she decided that he could be evaluated by another psychiatrist at Great Lakes. This could be similar to your son's situation - he could be allowed to be examined by another doctor to confirm or refute the diagnosis. It might be worth a try.
Another thing - our son was involved in the Delayed Entry Program(DEP) for five months before shipping out. The Chief of the recruiting office here was able to call up to Legal and speak with someone about Jim. He just basically put in a good word for him, said that he could recommend him. Did your son go through DEP? Maybe his Chief could call and say that he'd never seen any physical problems during their weekly meeting - just a thought. I think he has a better chance of staying in if he can show that he arrived at boot camp in good physical shape and was injured there.
They will offer him a discharge, but if he wants to stay in, he's better off rehabbing there. I got that advice from a recruiter. Unfortunately, a recruit's chances of being accepted for re-enlistment after leaving Great Lakes are slim from everything I have been able to find out. The conditions on Ship 17 aren't very good, though, so it is tempting for the kids to leave.
You can send your son books. I can send you the address if you need it.
My son told me that the problem on Ship 17 is that everyone there is in limbo of some kind. They have gone to Great Lakes with high hopes, have been training hard, accomplishing their goals, learning new things, making progress, etc. -- then, they are plucked up and sent to a place where there isn't much to do. They no longer have a direction or purpose, and all are anxious about their future. In training, they can influence their future through hard work and effort; on Ship 17 they have to wait while others decide their future. It's a frustrating and anxiety-ridden situation. It doesn't take too long before everyone's morale starts to descend to a low level. That's why it's so important to be optomistic when you talk with them on the phone, or write letters. We really tried to focus on what we could do next to move the process along for Jim.
I'm right there with you -- Jim is back on Ship 17 waiting for the medical waiver paperwork to go through. He's been there two weeks so far this time. It's a struggle for him to keep his spirits up. He has finished boot camp and is on the Temporary Holding Unit (THU) where he has a cleaning job during the day. He does get free time at night and liberty on the weekends, so it's somewhat better than the situation for recruits. Still, I am praying that his situation will be resolved soon and that he can leave Great Lakes and go to A school.
Hope some of this is helpful for you. If you have a specific question, please ask and I'll try to help.
I am praying for all of the kids on Ship 17. I hope you have good news from your son soon. Ellen

[elizabeth]

Ellen-Wonderful info-thanks so much. Yes Dan was in DEP from Jan till he left May 19. ANd as far as his "injury" he has absolutely no pain and didn't when he saw the sports doctor. In act I think just resting it for 24 hours in a sling and it was fine. That's why I and he are questioning if indeed there was any injury at all. I don't think there was. I think his shoulder just got sore and tired from standing at rest for 45 minutes. Something it (and indeed his whole body) would get used to. BUt I will definietely check with his recruiter since not only did he attend and excel at the PT's he also led some of them! So again, excellent advice which I will forward to him and act on immediately. As far as seeing legal he was told he would be called in within 10 days, so it might be less.