So much for the ARMY

Odiedog52 · Post by **Odiedog52** » October 22nd, 2005, 2:03 pm

I was scheduled to go to MEPS yesterday and today .. but i didn't even make it that far.

I suffered a broken fibula and a metal plate with 6 screws was put on my fibula to work as an internal splint during the healing process.

I had all my paperwork and medical documents in order, and my recruiter called MEPS to make sure i was gonna get the green light .. then they asked for xrays, which the next day my recruiter brought to them. I get a call from him that day, and i can't even get to MEPS, there was no talk about a waiver and it seems as if it's an automatic no-go.

I'm really bummed out, cause this is what i really wanted to do, but ever since my motorcycle accident which caused the fracture, my life has gone downhill.

I'm going to talk to my recruiter on Monday. I'm gonna try and get the hardware taken out of my leg, so i can hopefully still join. I can't afford another surgery as insurance may not cover it, i'll lose more money from missing work, and the healing process of taking 6 screws out of my bone is gonna suck .. but i want to do everything i can to get in.

Anyways .. i'm pretty pissed and bummed out, and i wanted to get it off my chest. I'm not sure if i'll ever get to be there fighting beside you guys, but thanks for everything you do.

hit_it · Post by **hit_it** » October 22nd, 2005, 5:08 pm

The medical documents needed to state CLEARLY that the metal hardware was no longer required to support the leg.

If it didn't say this, and you didn't go back to the doctor to get the paperwork to say this, you can probably understand the rest.

Odiedog52 · Post by **Odiedog52** » October 22nd, 2005, 10:29 pm

hit_it wrote:The medical documents needed to state CLEARLY that the metal hardware was no longer required to support the leg.

If it didn't say this, and you didn't go back to the doctor to get the paperwork to say this, you can probably understand the rest.

Thanks for the response, SFC Hit_It. My recruiter told me that he was told my MEPS that because the hardware is on a pressure joint (a joint that has constant pressure on it; i.e. an ankle), that it would be a no go. I had a written note from my orthopedic surgeon that said i had absolutely no limitations, but i'm not sure if they read too much of my paperwork, or if they just looked at my xrays.

I'm going to do everything i can to get it, even if that means getting it removed. Only time will tell.

Thank you again, for the reply

K.Ingraham · Post by **K.Ingraham** » October 24th, 2005, 11:03 pm

Odie,
This just means that it'll take you a little longer to get there, that's all.
Meanwhile, get in better shape & don't give up. Persistance will overcome bureacracy.

Odiedog52 · Post by **Odiedog52** » October 25th, 2005, 10:21 am

Thank you, Ranger K.Ingraham.

I'm not going to let this hold me down. I have an appt. with my orthopedic surgeon today to talk about getting it out. In the mean time, I'm going to go back to school and get a few more credits and go in as a PFC, and it gives me more time to work out and to work out harder.

Thanks for the responses.

K.Ingraham · Post by **K.Ingraham** » October 25th, 2005, 11:59 am

Very good, you're on the right track.
Since you're signed in here, you probably already know what this site is about, and how it may be useful to you.
Do a LOT of reading through the forums that are open to you. There's a lot of knowledge here that will help prepare you for the challenges ahead. It will not be any easier once you get started & if you're not really cut out for military life, much less the spartan variety practiced by the Ranger Regiment, nothing will change who you are. But if you have that something deep down, you will reach down in & grab it come the time, provided you have the guts & willpower & maturaty to do so. And have properly prepared physicaly so that you'll get the opportunity to discover yourself.
Read much, speak little.
Meanwhile, it sounds like the things you do have control over you are dealing with. Striking towards PFC & college credits is excellent, that's good use of your time & will be extra promotion points down the road. Take all the writing and english courses you can. No matter what you do in life, you MUST be able to communicate effectively in writing and verbaly and nowhere is it more important to impart intent & concept clearly than in an army at war.
And if you do have to remain in school, than the benifits of being able to comprehend reading & writing effectively will get you much better grades in whatever else you major in or wind up doing for a living.
Good luck!

Odiedog52 · Post by **Odiedog52** » October 25th, 2005, 12:15 pm

Thank you again, Ranger K.Ingraham.

I love the site, and the literature that is available here to read is much of value.

This bump in the road only makes me want it more, and it's just an obstacle to overcome.

Thanks again

:D