Medical foul-up

[Copperhead]

Rangers,

I need to report that after about a month at Ft. Benning I was discharged due to knee problems. There's no need to say I feel like crap or blather about my emotions. My time since coming home has been dedicated to sorting out what the implications of my current situation are and how to best deal with them. I entered the service with known knee problems that I didn't think would be a problem largely because of my brouhaha attitude. They should have been sorted out before shipping. It was a foolish mistake and I paid dearly for it. My orthopaedic surgeon is planning on performing surgery on both knees (the first of which is in about two weeks). I can't thank you enough for all the guidance and wisdom you shared with me. It has proven invaluable. My only hope is that someday I truly put it to good use in a military enviroment.

My discharge was an EPTS, so I will have to wait atleast 2 years until I can reenlist with an option 40 (or possibly attending OCS after finishing a degree). My current plan is to begin earning a college degree and rehabbing my knees as much as possible. In the meantime, I will continue to improve my fitness and educate myself.

DEPs: sort your medical crap out before you ship.

-Caleb

[RTO]

Thanks for the update.

Sad news...

Keep the positive attitude, it will
serve you well during your recovery and your eventual return to the Military.

Godspeed,
RTO

[42L5V]

That's a damn shame. You've always presented yourself well on this board. I have no doubt that you'll be successful with whichever direction you decide to take.

Besides - you're from KY. You don't know how to fail.

[Jim]

Tough break. Hopefully yoou will retain your relationships here.

[Ranger Bill]

I am sorry to learn of this. But hold your head high. You gave it your all and did not quit. While the path to becoming a Ranger is mostly mental, sometimes the body just can't take it. Thanks for your work here as the DEP moderator and I wish you all the best for your future. You have many options ahead of you. Choose wisely.

[Ranger Ron]

That is truly sad news, both for you but for the Army. Best of luck in what you decide to pursue. Keep in touch and thanks for you work here.

[RangerJurena]

Rangers,

I need to report that after about a month at Ft. Benning I was discharged due to knee problems. There's no need to say I feel like crap or blather about my emotions. My time since coming home has been dedicated to sorting out what the implications of my current situation are and how to best deal with them. I entered the service with known knee problems that I didn't think would be a problem largely because of my brouhaha attitude. They should have been sorted out before shipping. It was a foolish mistake and I paid dearly for it. My orthopaedic surgeon is planning on performing surgery on both knees (the first of which is in about two weeks). I can't thank you enough for all the guidance and wisdom you shared with me. It has proven invaluable. My only hope is that someday I truly put it to good use in a military enviroment.

My discharge was an EPTS, so I will have to wait atleast 2 years until I can reenlist with an option 40 (or possibly attending OCS after finishing a degree). My current plan is to begin earning a college degree and rehabbing my knees as much as possible. In the meantime, I will continue to improve my fitness and educate myself.

DEPs: sort your medical crap out before you ship.

-Caleb

Caleb,

First, know that everything happens for a reason. Secondly, hold your head high.

Perhaps your destiny is to be an officer, there is certainly no shame in that and the Regiment is still within reach just via different path.

If possible could you expound on the knee issues. Did you hide something from the med reports prior to enlisting? I'm not calling you out if you did, I want to know the details and posting could help others.

[Bravo57]

Caleb,
The brass ring is still there. You just have to figure out which one you are going to grab.

Get better, then decide.

[K.Ingraham]

You have a good plan - now execute!
Get that degree or you'll face even more closed doors.

[Copperhead]

Rangers,

Thank you for the kind words. Your advice and wisdom will help me steer through these next couple of years. I certainly intend to maintain my ties to this site and continue my mission to learn from those that have BTDT.

RangerJurena,

My knee issues began shortly after enlisting, but I never reported them during follow-up visits to my MEPs. They are the result of becoming too zealous with running (50 mpw on concrete). For those of you that are medically inclined- I was diagnosed with a baker's cyst, plica, and patella femural syndrome (with cartilage degeneration). I underwent 3 months of physical therapy before shipping with no reduction in knee pain or the size of the cyst. I thought the pain was something I was supposed to put up with. However, I realized it would eventually catch up with me down the road if I did fight through it. I never reported my injury to MEPs, I did so while at Benning. It was idiotic (and now, very embarrasing) of me to train through and ship with these injuries. I'm paying the price with surgery on both knees. It could be worse though, no major ligaments are torn.

If I can offer a piece of advice to DEPs- learn from my situation. Be sure to sort out ALL your medical crap before shipping. I screwed myself in the butt by trying to be highspeed. Not fixing this situation before leaving was a huge mistake.

-Caleb