mid2020

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Oct 25, 2017
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I'm a current mid in the class of 2020. To make an extremely long story short, after a surgery in January this year I was diagnosed with a complex, chronic pain condition. I spent most of my spring semester in Walter Reed undergoing treatments and hospital stays, attending only 40 days of class. I was unable to partake in any summer training's as I was in rehab or back in the hospital, and have taken the fall semester off to continue rehab and go back into the hospital a few times for more treatments.
I am 100% committed to the Academy, and absolutely believe it was the right place for me. I did really well academically, and with the military stuff for both semesters, despite my extreme difficulty last spring. It's been a dream of mine ever since I was little to serve, and the Academy felt perfect. However I'm now facing a likely medical separation for this issue, and I'm just wondering if there's anyone else out there who has been through something similar. Whether they were med-boarded out themselves, or know someone who was and just has any advice on how to move on. Just being away for this semester has been hard, and I can't imagine having to leave for good.
 
I am sorry to read about your situation. Throughout my time as a BattO and through years of sponsoring mids, I encountered many who had to leave involuntarily for medical reasons.

Hold your head high. You are not leaving for misconduct or reasons of character. You will always be a member of 2020 and will no doubt keep up with friends and classmates. Way down the road, you could be a BGO!

Time does help, especially if you find a new way to meet your desire to serve, and are able to manage your health.

Take a look at Federal civil service with the “ABC” agencies - not as an agent but as an analyst or operational planner or logistics specialist. FBI, CIA, etc., all have college internship programs and Pathway programs for new college grads. (Finish your degree!) Spend some time getting smart on how to use USAjobs, the Federal job site. Use Pathway as a filter on a search.

To get you started:
https://www.fbijobs.gov/students

https://www.cia.gov/careers/student-opportunities/undergraduate-students.html

Work for the DVA as a career - help veterans who suffer.

There are many more across all Federal departments and agencies. That could help as you contemplate your path to a degree.

There are many clichés that apply here, and they hold a grain of truth. What doesn’t break you, will make you stronger.

Be strong, be you, take it a day at a time, or an hour at a time, but keep yourself moving ahead.
 
My DD has a friend that was medically separated. He landed a great job with a company specializing in Cyber Security-

He is well paid and they are paying for his college degree

I had a usafa classmate that was allowed to graduate but was not commissionable. He landed an incredible position with a defense contractor.

Both these people landed their opportunities because some senior officers made some calls to alum

Don't be shy about asking for some references - they won't turn their back on you
 
Agree with everything said here. I had a close friend who graduated USNA but was non-commissionable. The staff at USNA worked with the DC Alumni Association to get him interviews and get him on his feet post graduation. That is the great part of USNA and you are a part of it. Before you are released from USNA, reach out to the USNA Alumni Chapter for where you are headed. Make connections, build your network.
 
Mid2020, sorry to hear about your status. Are you talking about fibromyalgia? I searched MANMED Chapter 15, covering disqualifying diagnoses, and could not find it. Are you sure it's disqualifying?
 
Mid2020, sorry to hear about your status. Are you talking about fibromyalgia? I searched MANMED Chapter 15, covering disqualifying diagnoses, and could not find it. Are you sure it's disqualifying?
It's called complex regional pain syndrome, CRPS. I've been told by the BMO as well as my medical team at Walter Reed that if I wasn't fit for full duty without any restrictions by Spring reform that the medical separation process would be started for me.
 
If you don't mind me asking, did you have an injury that came before the pain syndrome? Alot of these cases go into remission.
 
I am a former mid from the class of 2012. I have a story that involves that hazy gray area of medical issues but ultimately my own decision to not go back for Youngster year. I sometimes wish I had stayed just to get the official medical separation status.
I've dealt with the results since, so I have a lot to say about this.
Shoot me a private message and I can get your contact info. I don't come on here often, so I'll try to check back in the next few days.
 
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