My daughter is being discharged from bootcamp due to a catarac's the doctor's knew about at MEPS

[lolly_28]

My daughter had been at boot camp for a week Tuesday when she called and said she was being discharged due to her cataract in her eye. Its a medical discharge. The Doctors at MEPS knew about her cataract and said it was not bad enough to disqualify her. I spoke to her eye doctor who was surprised they think it’s bad enough to kick her out. The doctors at boot camp told her she could not rejoin even if she has it fixed, it’s a simple 10 minute procedure and completely healed in 10 weeks. I called her recruiter who said she should be able to rejoin and he called MEPS and they said she should be able to rejoin. I feel so bad for her because she had been planning on this for the last year, quit her job, prepared for it physically. She said she hated book camp so far but was handling it fine. I was only able to talk to her for 20 minutes and she said she could call everyday. That was 2 days ago and I have not heard from her since. She said they put all the people who quit boot camp or get discharged for medical in the psyche ward and she was with patients who are mentally disturbed. I don’t know who to go to get answers.

[Anti M]

I know someone who joined the Army and managed to hide the fact she took anti-psychotic drugs. Needless to say, Army boot camp did a number on her. Yikes. If a person with a problem wants in, they can present their best self and weasel around the medical. There's a reason the military over-recruits, they know not every candidate will make it to full active duty status. Drop rate in boot camp used to be 10%, I am positive it is much higher now.

The Navy used to bust you for malingering if you acted more crazy or upset than you actually were, now they just toss you out. I guess a discharge is cheaper than a stint in the brig, and less legally challenging.

[lolly_28]

I really should not of commented on the girls who were in there with her. We need people who can handle stress or else someone could get hurt or worse. If they feel they cant then they should discharge them. Plus teh girls may have told my daughter that because they were uset to be discharged. I am very proud of all of the brave people who join and give them kudos for trying.

[trishthedish]

My daughter is getting discharged because of supposed food sensitivities, and food allergies that they already knew of.  The first couple of days she was there, she was throwing up, but has never done this at home, with the same food, which we believe was wheat.  She is certain it was her nerves and the change of her atmosphere, but I think they are using the excuse that its her food allergies, which she has stayed away from, and has nver even had a single reaction to any of those things when she has had them (hopefully what I said made sense).  She also is very disappointed because her hopes of college and a structured life are sown the toilets, along with 70+ other females on this ship 5.  We don;t know all of the info yet, other than she has already met with legal and should be home next week.  Does anyone know if she can be coded as re-eligible with them, the Navy, or another branch?  I am hearing from friends that this would be a no, but I don't think this is right.  I bet my life it was her nerves that brought this on.  She has never been this sick from food, and she has eaten quite a bit of stuff she shouldn't be, and it doesn't affect her like this; only stomachaches now and then with the wheat, but that is a hit and miss.  Is there anything we can do before it's too late and they code her as a reject?  HELP!  :-(

[Angie]

recommend you go to the group ship 5. The USN is very picky who they keep, more and more people are being seperated for minor things.  Recommend you start helping your daughter plan for something else, the USN doesn't keep everyone.

[trishthedish]

ok I'm on it.  Thank you.

[Craig]

trish - I totally agree with Angie & Lemon, go to ship 5 for advice.

Per your question, if she is dischanged with an RE-4 code, she is not eligible to join ANY service.  She is barred for life.  What she wants to get is an RE-8 code which is a medical code that allows personnel to come back after they're fixed.  Example, if you broke your leg in boot camp, you would get an RE-8 code, because once your fixed, then you can start training again.  (note RE-4 codes are not listed since there is soooo many of them)