Confusing call

[Virginia Rose]

My son shipped August 5th. He called me today, which was exciting... at first. Now I’m a ball of emotions, from confused, to angry, to sad, and back around again.

The call went like this. He asked me for a scan of his passport photo page for his security clearance. Then he told me he caught a cold at the beginning of P days, he had just gotten meds for his lingering runny nose, but that all other symptoms were gone and he was feeling much better. He said he was selected for staff in the 900 division, and was really happy about it. He said boot camp was going well in his opinion. He asked we if it was the roth version of the TSP that his father and I told him to sign up for, I said yes and then told him the break down of the funds he should place money into. Then he hits me with a, “oh yeah, I’ve been red flagged because some document is in my medical records stating I was diagnosed with anxiety. I told them that can’t be right because I would remember something like that. They asked me if I want to fight it, and I said yes. Mom, do you remember me being diagnosed with anxiety as a child?” At first I laughed, because it sounded so wildly untrue. I told him he absolutely was never diagnosed with anxiety. That I took him to talk to a psychologist after our pcs to Rhode Island when he was in 4th grade (we’re an active duty military family, and have been his whole life, so lots of pcs moves), after his new pediatrician said that having a child see someone after a move, especially if they miss their old school and friends, how it’s good for kids’ mental health, and even better it’s covered by Tricare. He said, I kind of remember you taking me to talk to someone, but did they diagnose me with something? I replied that they hadn’t and that was the end of our phone conversation.

I spent the whole say combing through files and calling that dang psychologist we saw almost 10 years ago. They told me the person he saw was no longer with the practice, and they’d have to dig through paper files in storage to see his information. I was livid. I took my son there, after being told it was some great thing for youth to do after a pcs for their mental health. These people put him through a bunch of testing, and referred testing for random things which all came back negative, so no diagnosis for anything. We stopped going, because we decided to change his teacher at his new school, and boom, my son was back to himself. So now I’ve called his pediatrician from before we moved to Rhode Island, and after, and asked them to comb through their files and right a letter stating wether they ever saw a need, diagnosed, treated, or medicated him for anxiety. I had that letter within a few hours, and it states they never, after him being their patient from 2005-2013 minus 2010 when we were in Rhode Island, and never saw a need, nor diagnosed or treated him for anxiety. Is there anything else I can do? Where can I send this letter? Who can I speak with (by the way, my son is still a minor, as he is 17 at the time).

Also, I read in here something about a ship 5. When he gave me his address today he said he was ship 2. If they get flagged are they always moved to ship 5? Why would he be asking me for documents needed for a security clearance, and roth tsp info if he was red flagged? He also said his PIR date was October 11, and he’d be allowed 3 guests. Either he has no idea what being red flagged could cost him, or I’m more worried about it than I should be due to my google searches today. I’m so confused by all of this.

Thank you in advance for any advice. I’m just dumbfounded by all of this.

[anasazigypsy]

Commenting only so someone who has actual knowledge will be more likely to see this. Fingers crossed for you and your son.

[Virginia Rose]

Thank you!

[Dana]

Have you tried calling the recruiter to help? I know my son's recruiter and the whole office said call when ever I had a question that they can help with anytime. They said boot camp, schooling or once assigned.

[Virginia Rose]

I did, immediately. They said there wasn’t anything they could do on their side. 

[Anti M]

Until he calls and says he is in ship 5, assume he is on track.  The letter will only be relevant is he is sent to ship five, after which he gets to challenge and appeal.  Even though he is a minor, there is not really a lot you can do at this point.  There is a Public Affairs Office, and they may be able to give you your options, but for now,  be prepared with your information, and do your best to assume it is all going to work out.  Don't overthink this for him yet.  Having a red flag on medical records is fairly common for those with Tricare as children. Just more for them to look at.

I wouldn't jump straight to calling people, let the no news is good news roll until you hear otherwise. 

[Virginia Rose]

Thank you for the advice. I tried calling the Public Affairs Office a couple hours after I spoke with my son, and left them a message, but haven’t heard back. I guess I’ll wait and see if they get that all figured out.