You’re not alone. I’m in a similar boat that I’ll be moving to an unfamiliar state and climate because my husband has orders for March. Fun thing is, we’re joining from different bases so the move and everything that comes with it is still all up to me. Idk what it is about offices not giving us a break as we walk out the door but I’m feeling that too. The quiet after the chaos will be another adjustment we make, but this forum has really shown me we’re all dealing with this together even if all in a different state. Sending love your way!
CONUS Timeline (MH)
- Thread starter zazoo
- Start date
Thank you. And I agree: this forum has brought me comfort many times.
Hey, you all there: thank you!
Weekly update:
PRE-IDES:
PRE-IDES:
- 16 Jul 25 – Referred to AMRO
- Early Aug 25 – First contact with PEBLO; NARSUM received
- 8 Aug 25 – CIS signed (Retain); submitted to DPMNR for IRILO; 37 applied (Day 0)
- End of Sep 25 – Inpatient admission (MH)
- 26 Sep 25 – DPMNR requested additional documentation (Day 49)
- 29 Sep 25 – DPMNR results: RTD ALC-2; 37 to be removed (Day 52)
- 2 Oct 25 – Case resubmitted to IRILO for re-consideration (Day 55)
- 6 Oct 25 - DPMNR results: Full MEB requested (Day 59)
- 20 Oct 25 - Case submitted to VA (Day 0)
- 22 Oct 25 - First contact w/ MSC; VA claim appointment scheduled (Day 2)
- 24 Oct 25 - MSC Appointment, form signed, sent back (Day 4)
*** EXAMS***
5-8 Nov 25 - Calls from the contractor before "head-to-toe" exam (Day 17-19)- 6 Nov 25 - C&P #1 (hearing) (Day 18)
- 10 Nov 25 - C&P #2 (general) (Day 21)
- 13 Nov 25 - C&P #3 (vision) (Day 24)
- 17 Nov 25 - C&P #4 (TBI) (Day 28) (virtual)
- 20 Nov 25 - C&P #5 (PTSD/MH) (Day 31) (virtual)
- 20 Nov 25 - Sleep Study at a clinic (Day 31)
- 25 Nov 25 - Sleep Study results in (Day 36)
- 25 Nov 25 - Sleep Apnea results sent to Optum (Day 36)
*** VA ***
10 Dec 25 - Optum sent exam results to VA (Day 51)- 12 Dec 25 - Development stage at a VA Regional Office (assigned to a team member) (Day 53)
*** MEB *** - 15 Dec 25 - PEBLO received the DBQs from MSC (Day 56)
- 16 Dec 25 - I got my DBQs and reviewed them (a few problems - addressed via MSC and VA Quick Submit) (Day 57)
- 17 Dec 25 - MEB made the determination (refer to PEB) (Day 58)
- 19 Dec 25 - Documents reviewed, concurred, signed, sent to PEB (Day 60)
*** IPEB *** - 19 Dec 25 - IPEB received package from PEBLO (Day 0)
- 22 Dec 25 - 1st Email from myFSS (Day 3) (literally the next business day: submitted on Friday in the afternoon, myFSS email on Monday at 0557)
- 29 Dec 25 - Compensation claim closed on the VA website (Day 10)
- 29 Dec 25 - PEBLO informed me that the IPEB turnaround is estimated at 3-4 weeks from the 19 Dec submission (placing it roughly between 9–16 Jan 26)
- 30 Dec 25 - PEBLO advised me to wait for the official appointment, at which point I would receive both my IPEB and VA decisions (including potential rating) (Day 11)
- 9 Jan 26 - one or two emails and phone calls - a few recommendations received (with a guesstimate and a "read-between-the-lines" statement, sitting tight for now (Day 21)
- 15 Jan 26 - Appointment w/ PEBLO: Reviewed IPEB decision (70% PDRL) and VA proposed rating (100% P&T), including next steps and required actions. Since I want to double- and triple-check everything before signing, I postponed signing for a couple of days. (Day 27 - as predicted by PEBLO)
- 20 Jan 26 - Appointment w/ PEBLO. Accepted IPEB decision. Package sent back to AFPC. Orders issued 1 hour later, and uploaded everywhere. (Day 32)
- 1 Jan 26 - Out-processing (in progress)
- 27 Feb 26 - Final-Out (Loading...)
- 2 Mar 26 - Terminal Leave (TBD)
- 2 Apr 26 - DOS (TBD)
Weekly update:
PRE-IDES:
Out-processing itself was straightforward on paper, less so in practice. DOS got moved up, vOP didn’t catch up, so it turned into multiple in-person visits across agencies while juggling treatment during a full relapse (MH and physical), plus packing and moving. Energy levels got critically low, but all is done now.
Heading home now, attempting to find some peace and quiet.
PRE-IDES:
- 16 Jul 25 – Referred to AMRO
- Early Aug 25 – First contact with PEBLO; NARSUM received
- 8 Aug 25 – CIS signed (Retain); submitted to DPMNR for IRILO; 37 applied (Day 0)
- End of Sep 25 – Inpatient admission (MH)
- 26 Sep 25 – DPMNR requested additional documentation (Day 49)
- 29 Sep 25 – DPMNR results: RTD ALC-2; 37 to be removed (Day 52)
- 2 Oct 25 – Case resubmitted to IRILO for re-consideration (Day 55)
- 6 Oct 25 - DPMNR results: Full MEB requested (Day 59)
- 20 Oct 25 - Case submitted to VA (Day 0)
- 22 Oct 25 - First contact w/ MSC; VA claim appointment scheduled (Day 2)
- 24 Oct 25 - MSC Appointment, form signed, sent back (Day 4)
*** EXAMS***
5-8 Nov 25 - Calls from the contractor before "head-to-toe" exam (Day 17-19)- 6 Nov 25 - C&P #1 (hearing) (Day 18)
- 10 Nov 25 - C&P #2 (general) (Day 21)
- 13 Nov 25 - C&P #3 (vision) (Day 24)
- 17 Nov 25 - C&P #4 (TBI) (Day 28) (virtual)
- 20 Nov 25 - C&P #5 (PTSD/MH) (Day 31) (virtual)
- 20 Nov 25 - Sleep Study at a clinic (Day 31)
- 25 Nov 25 - Sleep Study results in (Day 36)
- 25 Nov 25 - Sleep Apnea results sent to Optum (Day 36)
*** VA ***
10 Dec 25 - Optum sent exam results to VA (Day 51)- 12 Dec 25 - Development stage at a VA Regional Office (assigned to a team member) (Day 53)
*** MEB *** - 15 Dec 25 - PEBLO received the DBQs from MSC (Day 56)
- 16 Dec 25 - I got my DBQs and reviewed them (a few problems - addressed via MSC and VA Quick Submit) (Day 57)
- 17 Dec 25 - MEB made the determination (refer to PEB) (Day 58)
- 19 Dec 25 - Documents reviewed, concurred, signed, sent to PEB (Day 60)
*** IPEB *** - 19 Dec 25 - IPEB received package from PEBLO (Day 0)
- 22 Dec 25 - 1st Email from myFSS (Day 3) (literally the next business day: submitted on Friday in the afternoon, myFSS email on Monday at 0557)
- 29 Dec 25 - Compensation claim closed on the VA website (Day 10)
- 29 Dec 25 - PEBLO informed me that the IPEB turnaround is estimated at 3-4 weeks from the 19 Dec submission (placing it roughly between 9–16 Jan 26)
- 30 Dec 25 - PEBLO advised me to wait for the official appointment, at which point I would receive both my IPEB and VA decisions (including potential rating) (Day 11)
- 9 Jan 26 - one or two emails and phone calls - a few recommendations received (with a guesstimate and a "read-between-the-lines" statement, sitting tight for now (Day 21)
- 15 Jan 26 - Appointment w/ PEBLO: Reviewed IPEB decision (70% PDRL) and VA proposed rating (100% P&T), including next steps and required actions. Since I want to double- and triple-check everything before signing, I postponed signing for a couple of days. (Day 27 - as predicted by PEBLO)
- 20 Jan 26 - Appointment w/ PEBLO. Accepted IPEB decision. Package sent back to AFPC. Orders issued 1 hour later, and uploaded everywhere. (Day 32)
- 1 Jan 26 - Out-processing (Day 0)
- 27 Feb 26 - Final-Out (Day 57)
- 2 Mar 26 - Terminal Leave (TBD)
- 2 Apr 26 - DOS (TBD)
Out-processing itself was straightforward on paper, less so in practice. DOS got moved up, vOP didn’t catch up, so it turned into multiple in-person visits across agencies while juggling treatment during a full relapse (MH and physical), plus packing and moving. Energy levels got critically low, but all is done now.
Heading home now, attempting to find some peace and quiet.
I have my final out on the 5th and DOS 8 April. It really is surreal. Idk you but I’m excited for you to have opportunities to chase your dreams! If you haven’t already, take a look into VR&E. Take some time to recover physically and mentally and enjoy the quiet for a minute
18 days before DOS I ended up with a Retiree ID. Caught me completely off guard. I went in just to update my status in DEERS before retirement. Instead they took my CAC, snapped photos, did fingerprints, and a few minutes later handed me the retiree card.
It doesn’t say INDEF, but the expiration date is about 20 years out, so apparently they’re planning on keeping me around for a while.
Well... looks like it’s time to accept the new configuration.
LOL.
It doesn’t say INDEF, but the expiration date is about 20 years out, so apparently they’re planning on keeping me around for a while.
Well... looks like it’s time to accept the new configuration.
LOL.
Another week down.
Got my CAC back - valid for 13 days. Lol.
On a separate note:
- My DOS is 2 April 2026.
- When does retired pay actually start? (1 May or 1 June?)
- Will DFAS prorate April, or is it $0 for that month? (I'm guessing it's a negatron)
Got my CAC back - valid for 13 days. Lol.
On a separate note:
- My DOS is 2 April 2026.
- When does retired pay actually start? (1 May or 1 June?)
- Will DFAS prorate April, or is it $0 for that month? (I'm guessing it's a negatron)
When you say retired pay, did you do more than 20 years? Asking because it matters concerning your potential VA offset. You're entitled to pay starting 3 April, that's a plus, but you likely won't receive it until potentially June.
Pay Schedule
To help you plan for 2026, below is a list of the days you should expect to receive your pay. Retired and annuitant pay is due on the first of the month. However, if the first falls on a weekend or holiday, retirees are paid on the last business day of the month and annuitants are paid on the first business day of month. For example, March 1, 2026 is a Sunday. Therefore, for the February 2026 entitlement, retirees are scheduled to receive payment on February 27, 2026. Annuitants are scheduled to receive payment on March 2, 2026. Please see the chart for each month in 2026.
| December 2025 | December 31, 2025 | January 2, 2026 |
| January 2026 | January 30, 2026 | February 2, 2026 |
| February 2026 | February 27, 2026 | March 2, 2026 |
| March 2026 | April 1, 2026 | April 1, 2026 |
| April 2026 | May 1, 2026 | May 1, 2026 |
| May 2026 | June 1, 2026 | June 1, 2026 |
| June 2026 | July 1, 2026 | July 1, 2026 |
| July 2026 | July 31, 2026 | August 3, 2026 |
| August 2026 | September 1, 2026 | September 1, 2026 |
| September 2026 | October 1, 2026 | October 1, 2026 |
| October 2026 | October 30, 2026 | November 2, 2026 |
| November 2026 | December 1, 2026 | December 1, 2026 |
| December 2026 | December 31, 2026 | January 4, 2027 |
[td width="215.1875px"]
Entitlement Month
[/td][td width="215.1875px"]Retired Pay Date
[/td][td width="215.1875px"]Annuitant Pay Date
[/td]New Retirements
Your first retired pay should be processed 60 days after your retirement date. However, this can only happen if we receive a complete retirement package, including a correct DD Form 2656.Another weekly SITREP:
- Finally getting some time off.
- Killing the “Reveille” alarm on my iPhone after this - permanently.
- Never overslept, never late while on AD - unless I got "borrowed" to fix something. Feels weird not living on a clock now.
- Brain’s still doing brain things - depression, anxiety, lots of dark SI noise. Slightly better, but future job (pace, routine) still a big question mark. Will definitely need being shrinked and will need some therapy (they say local VA has good reputation as far as MH care is concerned.)
- Same thing w/ pain and other stuff - meds are no longer effective. Old things flare up at random times. Some of them return with fury
Shooting upper-back pain surprises me more, and more often. My left leg and hip get more numb. My neck pain says "hi" again. - I am using InTransition program - they are helping me to stay proactive. They motivated me to get my DEERS updated, to reach out to a VA rep, to schedule things w/ VA Medical center.
- Despite that I am starting to plan ahead: small vacation, maybe a short overseas trip.
- Will probably do occasional JB runs - cheap haircut, stop at Commissary, visit BX, keep a pulse.
- 5 days left on AD. Might wear OCPs one last time for a quick JB run - just to have the feel one last time.
- Random DFAS deposit hit. Looks like last full-month AD pay (+ either BAH, or per diem cleanup.) Some finance magic cr...p.
- PPM/DITY incentive still in progress.
- Can write 0-9 numbers with digits again.
- Don't have to wear headgear outside. Can wear beanies indoors.
- Years of sustained tempo doesn’t just shut off.
- Transition’s heavy. New normal still hard to picture.
- Separation’s no longer theoretical. It’s happening.
2 Apr 2026, 0000Z - retired.
DD-214 (pdf) in hand.
They retired me right on time. DD-214 was available immediately. Now I just need to figure out how to upload it to the VA.
The process was rough - no way around it. But I made it through. Thanks be to God.
If you’re still in it - hang in there. Your day will come.
Side note:
Had some tough moments the past couple days. Anxiety 10/10, insomnia 8/10, depression 5/10, exhaustion 8/10, pain 5/10, SI fleeting but intense.
Not great - but I’m here. Looking forward to a healthier pace of life.
DD-214 (pdf) in hand.
They retired me right on time. DD-214 was available immediately. Now I just need to figure out how to upload it to the VA.
The process was rough - no way around it. But I made it through. Thanks be to God.
If you’re still in it - hang in there. Your day will come.
Side note:
Had some tough moments the past couple days. Anxiety 10/10, insomnia 8/10, depression 5/10, exhaustion 8/10, pain 5/10, SI fleeting but intense.
Not great - but I’m here. Looking forward to a healthier pace of life.
How did you get your PCM or another doc to resubmit for a reconsideration after a return to duty ALC 2 code?
Chronologically: this all started with my physician. I was taken to the hospital (from that doctor's office straight to ER), then placed on ALC-2, and the doctor submitted a reconsideration request to San Antonio - all while I was still hospitalized.
The ALC 2 was allegedly issued because of the CIS (strong "retain" recommendation.)
Interesting. I just got my FL4 yesterday, everyone said Do Not Retain and they returned me. I am very disappointed and was hoping to get a reconsideration
The issue I think most Soldiers have is that their branch gets to say what is fit. As long as you branch is willing to work with your medical limitations you can be fit for duty. How close are you to reaching retirement? Sometimes they are helping you even if they don't give you what you want. Other times its just that they are adamant to say you are fit regardless of how broken you are. For example, if you are medical its darn near impossible to be found unfit. You could have limitations that say that you can only lay down and work for 15 minutes at a time and they would keep you. Give you a tablet and state you can lay down in the next room and work on paperwork. Since the military is short medical personnel they will work with pretty much anyone's limitations because something is better than nothing when there is a severe shortage for that MOS.
Not close, I have 10 years left lol. I have a very niche job that requires stringent medical requirements. They returned me to duty while I am not medically qualified to complete my primary duty. They ordered specialty care for two areas in which both doctors said "no treatment options, condition will not improve, manage instead of fix, no need for follow up"
Very confused as to what they want out of me.
Very confused as to what they want out of me.
So they are just being buttheads LOL. Well all you can do is work within your limitations and eventually your unit will keep fighting for you to get into full IDES if they don't believe you can do your job since keeping you in your job will limit your unit's ability to complete their mission.
Appreciate the encouragement. Going to try my best to get a reconsideration instead of waiting for the annual review. As someone with a job they loved, to get it ripped away and then put as a commander exec, I need a change... quickly.