12 Days Til Boot Camp!

[fabiodriven]

I'm very sorry to hear about your knees Chazz. I knew you had "the right stuff" though. I saw your post on FB right when you got to boot camp and I must say I would have written something very similar had there been this sort of "social media" back when I went in. They were doing their job. It sounds like you settled right in though. The same thing happened to me all those years ago. Once I settled in I was right at home.

I wish you were coming on here with better news but that's out of your hands. Physical limitations are beyond your control. Good luck with whatever adventure is next buddy!

[Dirtcrasher]

Chazz, you did your best, just the effort itself is well respected

Thats a load of crap! You were doing so well.......

It is what it is bud. You could/would have been an awesome soldier, who knows?!

I may not agree with everyone, but I agree with anyone who has a good reason. You did all you could chazz!!

Fabio AKA John; One 0f the first things I respected him for was serving, and serving early into it when showers/food and other amenities were deserved but not necessarily provided.

He could have been a dead man I never met; But, I did meet him and he's a great guy. He even puts up with me

[doord521]

My question is how did they say it was a pre existing condition? Did you put that you had knee problems on the 2807(medical prescreen) I have been active duty Marine Corps for the last 13 years and I am actually a recruiter at the moment, not by choice I will say.. A big thing with va is doing a lot of research, making sure you have all your i's dotted and t's crossed, and stay with it. They don't have to pay if you give up..

[Popeye]

That's what I was wondering. The only thing I could think of is they did x-rays and saw scar tissue present.

[atc007]

^^^ Men that know 1st hand

[Chazz of Blades]

That's what I was wondering. The only thing I could think of is they did x-rays and saw scar tissue present.

Bingo, after I went down they took me to Winder and did a scan of my knees, said there was evidence of some previous damage. I haven't ever had anything formally treated, and I hadn't had any knee pain in months before this, it hit me out of the blue too. And there's nothing you can do with the VA, part of your 'have to sign' paperwork is the understanding that as an ELS discharge you get no VA, same with EPTS(but that takes a lot longer to process).


Long story short, I had to choose between a very high chance of crippling myself and being stuck there as EPTS for months waiting surgery or discharge, or going ahead and getting out before that happened.

[Popeye]

You made the right choice. Lucky they gave you one. I don't think the military is out to screw every person they can, but they make a pretty hefty investment into each and every soldier they train so they are quick to make a decision that is in their own best interest. Can't blame them. I still say that if you ain't a troubled kid, single with no kids, just in need of a job, or incredibly gung ho about serving your country then there are way better options out there. You should be proud of yourself for signing up and for making a decision that was in your best interest.

[doord521]

I think everyone should have to serve in one way or the other. Most people have no clue about the military, especially the Marine Corps. Go out and do an enlistment and atleast earn your opportunity to go to college. If they had to do that then maybe there wouldn't be a 60% drop out rate in college.. Kids are wanting everything to be handed to them. Parents are to weak to tell there children that they aren't good at something, they would rather take them to the doctor and have them medicated. I get tired of seeing participation trophies. Let these kids go out and figure it out, some will fall on their face, they need to figure out how to pick themselves back up without mommy and daddy being there to wipe their buts. Sorry about the tangent but it is getting pathetic.. Good on you for going out and trying.. More guts than most have...