Proud and Sad Grandma

[Shot]

I was oh so proud to see my grandson in his PIR. He appears to have grown up a lot and is determined to be a good sailor. I am happy for him. Yet I was sad for another grandson who so very much wanted to join the Navy. My new sailor is even disappointed that his cousin was denied admission, saying he would have made a great sailor. He was in High School Navy ROTC for three years and did very well. He scored high on the written test, but according to the recruiter(s) the medical people ( and I don't know who they are) said he had lordosis and he was told to go to his primary care physician for clearance. He did this, had an x-ray and both the radiologist and primary care physician saw no abnormalities. He went back to the recruiting station with this report and then was told he needed to go to a specialist. Well, the orthopedic resident that wrote this letter said he was screened for scoliosis , but also stated there were NO abnormalities to his spine. This was not good enough, and he was told to get another letter. Subsequently, he presented two more letters from a spine specialist that said he had no abnormal lordosis or any abnormalities of the spine. We heard nothing so we wrote our congressman and provided all the letters and history of his case. He received a reply from the congressman with a letter from the Department of Defense that simply said, none of the documentation presented was accepted by the medical people, and thus he was deemed physicially unfit to the Navy.The letter also said something about the Navy protecting itself from disability claims later and about concern for his safety. This process took about five months, going to doctors, presenting letters and waiting for replies.We never got a thing in writing until we wrote the congressman and none of us have seen the medical exam report, including the potential recruit. All the while his life was on hold.

He was quite disappointed but has accepted this and has now moved on to college admission and will study to be a physical therapist. I, on the other hand, can't seem to let it go. Are these "medical people" God, are they even physicians or are they physician assistants or corpmen? I am a Registered Nurse with a Master's degree and have worked in all areas of nursing. Perhaps I just don't understand the military, but I am having great difficulty in understanding how the word of a physician who is a spinal specialist can be discarded and the word of the "medical people" whoever they are is accepted. That being the case, why was he put through all those hoops in the first place? Has anybody out there had a similiar experience? Yes, I'm mighty proud of my sailor, and know he will be a good one. Yes, I'm mighty sad that the Navy missed a prize recruit, and for no apparent reason, other than they did not want to be proven wrong.

Thanks for listening and all responses are welcome..

[BunkerQB]

The Navy is just more stringent on medical issues these days. Anything (and I mean anything) could trigger a rejection. The budget for the Navy is being reduced. There are many who qualified without any medical issues. Good luck to your grandson. He is still a good human being and it sounds like your family has brought him up right. Please let him know that the fact that he wanted to serve is appreciated.

[NupocMom]

I empathize with how disappointed he must have been - as well as you and his family. Sometimes there is just no rhyme or reason, but I am certain that he will go on to be a wonderful physical therapist and an asset to his community and this country. It will just be in a different capacity than perhaps he originally hoped. Good luck and best wishes to him and your other grandson as well.

P.S. - I am an RN and Family Nurse Practitioner and hear and understand your frustration. All my best to you.