Even my Air Reserve Unit is Confused

S

spree610

PEB Forum Regular Member
Background: USAF Active Duty Jun '00 - Mar '07, AF Reserve Mar '07-Present

Ok so back in Aug '07 or so while I was processing my VA disability case I was diagnosed during the process with a mental condition (combined with medication) that immediately disqualified me from the reserves. I immediately notified my unit as required and provided them my medical paperwork and they placed me in 4T status. They then sent my paperwork to our reserve medical flight who started my LOD and I was found "in line of duty." And I was told by the medical unit person my paperwork was passed to the active duty section for processing. Since then my status has gone in limbo. Neither I or my unit can ever get a hold of the person responsible for the process at the medical unit and even worse, since then my Reserve contract expired on 29 March 08.

No person from either the reserve medical unit or the reserve MPF has contacted me in regards to all this and even my Reserve unit has no idea what is going on. To our knowledge noone has processed a Medical hold on my separation nor has anyone processed any extension/separation paperwork. I'm just plain in limbo and since I'm 4T I cant even show up at my unit to try and sort it out. I'm really concerned as to what to do at this point. I know the regulations say I cannot be discharged while being processed through the DES but I haven't even been contacted by a PEBLO.

As a note I have already received a 30% VA disability rating for the mental diagnosis as it started on active duty but was never properly or formerly diagnosed. According the my contact at the medical flight when I first started this process, I should never have been released from Active Duty into the Reserves in the first place.

:confused:Any advice is certainly appreciated.:confused:
 
spree610,

Welcome!

Your situation is a little unclear. Your contract expired in March, but you have not been given separation orders? It may be that they have in fact extended you. Where are you running into walls? I would try to run the question up your own chain of command (and/or use your NCO channels). If you can't contact the person at the medical unit, what about their supervisor? I might consider contacting the MEB section at the closest MTF.

If you can't drill, are you drawing INCAP pay? It sounds like you are eligible to receive this pay. http://www.pebforum.com/reserve-component-info/400-incap-pay.html

From what you describe, you probably should not have been separated from active duty prior to an MEB. I would prioritize trying to get yourself into the system now, but your lack of earlier referral may be an issue to explore in the worst case that you are separated from reserves without an MEB/PEB. You want to try to figure out where your case is now and where the hold up is.

Best of luck and let us know any questions.
 
That is correct my contract has since expired and no separation orders have been issued. I have already spoken with my chain and they are just as clueless as I am in regards to my situation. In fact they had called me at home to see if I had heard anything that they hadn't.

The medical persons supervisor is my next step if I can get a hold of them. As far as an extension goes I have not received any paperwork and there is nothing listed in my electronic records on AFPC.

As far as your comment about how I should have been given a MEB while on active duty the rule that is precluding me from the reserves would not have found me unfit for duty on active duty. The reason I am unfit in the reserves per the regulation is because of the anti-depressants.

The whole problem lies in the fact that supposedly my case was transfered to the active duty section for the MEB but nothing has been heard about it since. I just heard from my unit that another member in my unit was in a similar situation and their MEB/PEB just compeleted (after TWO years). I do not know if this persons contract expired as mine has.
 
The question of whether you should have been released from active duty intially is whether you should have been referred for MEB for a condition that is disqualifying for retention (not neccesarily that it was unfitting at the time). I would need a lot more info to know for sure, but given the short time frame since your separation from active duty, it may be that they should have identified the condition and referred you to MEB. However, like I said, this would take more information.

I would pursue getting in touch with the supervisor. Unfortunately, if you don't chase them down, you may end up in the same situation as the other airman that took years to have their case decided.

The orders situation is strange, I would think that your ETS would trigger the ARC to generate orders. The fact that they didn't seems to me to indicate either they are asleep at the wheel or they did not for a reason. Regardless, I think it is to your benefit that they did not because once separated, you cannot be processed for MEB/PEB. It would take revoking the separation orders (or worse, going to AFBCMR).

Best of luck and let us know any questions.
 
Well now it is almost may and still no word. No actions on AFRC for separation/extension still. My commander is finally getting involved due to the fact I am still on the books but they they can neither drill me, re-enlist me or separate me.

The good news is I have been given the number to the PEBLO at Dover AFB where our reserve medical guys are so I am hoping they can help me out. I am waiting on a call back.
 
Hi, sorry to hear of your troubles. I'm just getting started in all of this. If you don't mind, I would love that phone number to the Med guys-did you say in Dover? My stuff is just getting going and I really wanted to have a contact. I've been activated for a little while, but the MEB techs said they were sending my package to I think-Robins. I'm hoping this MEB doesn't take very long.
Best to you,

Felicia
 
they have got to be kidding me!!!

So after 6 months since my package was passed off to the Active Duty section I get this email from the Reserve Medical PoC. Names have been removed to protect the innocent. As mentioned before my contract expired in march. I have not received an extension or separation action. I do know DEERS has removed me from their system. At this point I'm not sure what to do? Try to extend?

"XXXX,
I apologize in the delay in getting back to you...

Since your condition was found in the Line of Duty, AD processes these types
of cases. Your package was handed over to the PEBLO in Jan 08. As I am not
involved in this process I assumed everything was flowing as required. Well,
as I found out, I was wrong in assuming that. After researching your case I
found it never moved anywhere. After speaking with the individuals OIC, she
has since been replaced with someone I am very pleased to be working with.

What this means...Everything in your package has expired and must be
updated. I will need a current update from your primary care provider with a
status of your medical condition.

ZZZZZ, I will need an addendum to the MUQ dated 6 Jan 08. Something short &
sweet stating that the Commander has reviewed the MUQ dated 6 Jan 08 and has
no changes. It must be signed by the Commander.

Once I receive these 2 items I will once again hand off the package to AD.

XXXX, when we spoke some months ago I suggested you contact the MPF about
extending your enlistment. Did you do that? I certainly suggest you do not
separate while this board is pending.

Again, I apologize for the way things were handled with your case. Once I
hand your package over to AD I will be sure to follow-up to ensure that it's
being processed as it should."
Click to expand...
 
This would be laughable, except that it is happening to you.

Are you still getting paid? Dropping out of DEERS is an ominous sign, but if they did not cut you orders, you should still be in service. They should automatically extend your orders, but if you have somehow been separated without realizing it, it may take a revocation of orders to fix this. Your Personnel Flight should be able to tell you more.

Hopefully, there are no issues with your status. Worse case, it would take an AF Board for Correction of Military Records petition to fix this, but it sounds like they are processing your case, so thus far, that does not seem to be needed. Best of luck and keep us posted.
 
Well I havent been drilling because I am 4T status since last year because of this. I looked at my virtual personnel record and it still shows me in service so that is a good sign. (actually it just doesnt have a separation date anywhere)

I'm going to try and contact my reserve personnel flight once I hear back from my unit. They got a copy of this email too.
 
Would DFAS still have you on the payroll? I'm not quite sure how they have their pay database structured for reservists. But you might call 888-332-7411 and might get some answers from them whether or not you're still in their system.
 
Well time for round two.

That PEBLO was fired and has been replaced. My package required updating and has been resubmitted and the reserves processed me for an extension finally so I wont get separated until the outcome of the board.

Time to sit back and wait again.
 
Hang in there! I hope everything goes well!
 
Jason,
Now you are really going to laugh.

After the first PEBLO was fired for the expired package problem, what happens?.........My 2nd package expired again! The new PEBLO's excuse? "Well its because there was a PEBLO transition." and i am SO not joking! There was a transition because of this same problem. We submitted the 2nd package back in march, and its almost NOV and the PEBLO said nothing the me, my unit, or the reserve medical person who filed it.

Anyway I am out of known options, I have contacted the IG and I am going to file an IG complaint. This is all completely unacceptable.

Any other ideas?

Spree
 
I suppose I forgot to update. The good news is after the IG investigation they hired a civilian PEBLO on top of that with grant funding they were able to hire a second PEBLO to help out. My case made it through the MEB with a referral to the IPEB, though the mental health commander that did my evaluation basically made me feel guilty about the whole process and continously asked why I was there. He presented the attitude that I was more of a burden than anything.

Now I am waiting on the outcome of the IPEB. However this whole process isn't still without irony as my extension expires on 27 March and they tell me that AF Reservists can't be put on medical hold, only extended. So now they are in a rush hurry to get my extension through. On top of that I fly out on the 27th to attend my brother's wedding in Taiwan so they have to get it thought on the 26th.

The fun never ends.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top