NOTE: I've already consulted another forum about my options. However, one of the responders recommended that I come here on this forum to see what my options are.
Also, I'll list some of the options that I have been recommended on that aforementioned forum, and also some other medical problems I've acquired that I did not mention to the Oscar or to my healthcare providers that could potentially change my case if I state it now.
Short story: I'm getting administratively separated for my mental health rather than medically separated. I don't know what to do.
Full story: At the time of releasing this post, I am an active duty Lance Corporal in the US Marine Corps. I've been in for about 2 ½ years thusfar, I've been deployed via a UDP, and I'm proud of my service (with what little I've done compared to more senior and advanced enlistedmen).
Recently, after my deployment, I was re-assigned to a new platoon. A platoon which consisted of some of the most undisciplined, arrogant, lazy, and incompetent group of young Marines. They weren't just new boot drops that were just getting into the fleet, most of these guys and gals have been in for damn near a year. And they still didn't know how to properly do their jobs, make timelines, maintain bearing or their customs and courtesies, and (most frustrating of all) they didn't obey their leadership. They didn't listen to the Corporals (some of whom were my peers and friends from my first platoon last year), they didn't listen to the Sergeants, and they didn't even listen to Staff on a few occasions. It's so frustrating, because it's a simple thing to do, and they just don't do it.
I've tried to correct them and get them to behave, but because I'm a Lance (despite me being more senior in time and experience) they didn't even take peer-to-peer corrections. And it's so frustrating. But it went to a head very recently.
Because of their arrogance, they got the platoon into playing some fuck-fuck games (disciplinary games) a few weeks ago. And this happened despite my best efforts, trying to correct them and trying to prevent such forms of discipline. But it was all to nought as the Corporals decided to make them play their games. And that really angered me. Not because I didn't want to play them (nobody does, but I'm used to it) but rather because damn near every single time, the platoon falls into playing the disciplinary games at least on a weekly basis.
And I was fed up with all of this. So in the middle of these games, I decided to pull out my pocket knife and decided that I wanted to lacerate my wrist, since I felt that my efforts to fix the platoon were in vain. But then one of my peers, another more junior Lance Corporal, grabbed my hand and called over the Corporals. They took the knife, got me to calm down, and subsequently sent to Naval. I was in Naval for 3-4 days before I was discharged.
While getting treated, my healthcare providers said that I exhibited "suicidal gestures" and suffered from anxiety. I followed up with Naval and later the Oscar about what happened. That's when the Oscar in particular told me that I would get administratively separated from the Marines. I didn't understand why I was getting ad-sep'd rather than med-sep'd, until I realized that I revealed that much of my mental health problems developed in my youth prior to my enlistment. So in retrospect, I guess I dug my own grave. But I still don't find it fair that despite all of the things I've done in the Marines, including my deployment and going through a work-up to go on that deployment, I still nonetheless won't be projected to receive any compensation or benefits.
[Additional Information: Un-related to my mental health, there are at least two things wrong with me physically that have occured SINCE enlistment, and not prior to enlistment:
1. My sleep schedule severely degraded since enlisting. Ever since I enlisted (save boot camp) I'd get on average about 3-5 hours of sleep a night during the working days of the week. After coming back to the barracks, I would just lay there, but all of the stress and thoughts that flooded my head kept me awake at night. And yet I got accustomed to waking up at 0400 because of morning PT. There were times I'd get sick and have to go to medical for this, but otherwise I'd keep this to myself so I wouldn't have to bother leadership about my problems (mostly due to men in general having to confess that they have a problem is taboo in America's current political and cultural climate). And,
2. While on deployment, I'd start smoking Marlboro cigarettes... A lot. It got to the point where one time while running a PT, I collapsed all of a sudden. After coming to, I was sent to medical, and they performed an EKG on me. They then learned that the left ventricle of my heart had suffered due to my smoking habits. This one, unlike the aforementioned sleep cycle, has been documented.]
[Input of the Responders of the Previous Forum: After talking with a few other retired military personnel, I've been recommended the following options:
- Request an MEB
- Seek legal assistance (DSO or base legal)
- Gather my records for anything that could prove my condition got worse, or alternatively anything not related to my mental health but could still get me some form of compensation (Naval, Oscar, etc.)
- File a VA claim ASAP
- Consult the VSO or a JAG
- Consult a therapist (I'm already doing this)]
With all things considered, what can I do for my case? Is there anything I can do to claim disability and retain my benefits? Is there anything I can do to change my reasons for separation from administrative to medical? Is my case salvageable? And if so, how can I fight for it? Anything that can help me would be much appreciated.
Also, I'll list some of the options that I have been recommended on that aforementioned forum, and also some other medical problems I've acquired that I did not mention to the Oscar or to my healthcare providers that could potentially change my case if I state it now.
Short story: I'm getting administratively separated for my mental health rather than medically separated. I don't know what to do.
Full story: At the time of releasing this post, I am an active duty Lance Corporal in the US Marine Corps. I've been in for about 2 ½ years thusfar, I've been deployed via a UDP, and I'm proud of my service (with what little I've done compared to more senior and advanced enlistedmen).
Recently, after my deployment, I was re-assigned to a new platoon. A platoon which consisted of some of the most undisciplined, arrogant, lazy, and incompetent group of young Marines. They weren't just new boot drops that were just getting into the fleet, most of these guys and gals have been in for damn near a year. And they still didn't know how to properly do their jobs, make timelines, maintain bearing or their customs and courtesies, and (most frustrating of all) they didn't obey their leadership. They didn't listen to the Corporals (some of whom were my peers and friends from my first platoon last year), they didn't listen to the Sergeants, and they didn't even listen to Staff on a few occasions. It's so frustrating, because it's a simple thing to do, and they just don't do it.
I've tried to correct them and get them to behave, but because I'm a Lance (despite me being more senior in time and experience) they didn't even take peer-to-peer corrections. And it's so frustrating. But it went to a head very recently.
Because of their arrogance, they got the platoon into playing some fuck-fuck games (disciplinary games) a few weeks ago. And this happened despite my best efforts, trying to correct them and trying to prevent such forms of discipline. But it was all to nought as the Corporals decided to make them play their games. And that really angered me. Not because I didn't want to play them (nobody does, but I'm used to it) but rather because damn near every single time, the platoon falls into playing the disciplinary games at least on a weekly basis.
And I was fed up with all of this. So in the middle of these games, I decided to pull out my pocket knife and decided that I wanted to lacerate my wrist, since I felt that my efforts to fix the platoon were in vain. But then one of my peers, another more junior Lance Corporal, grabbed my hand and called over the Corporals. They took the knife, got me to calm down, and subsequently sent to Naval. I was in Naval for 3-4 days before I was discharged.
While getting treated, my healthcare providers said that I exhibited "suicidal gestures" and suffered from anxiety. I followed up with Naval and later the Oscar about what happened. That's when the Oscar in particular told me that I would get administratively separated from the Marines. I didn't understand why I was getting ad-sep'd rather than med-sep'd, until I realized that I revealed that much of my mental health problems developed in my youth prior to my enlistment. So in retrospect, I guess I dug my own grave. But I still don't find it fair that despite all of the things I've done in the Marines, including my deployment and going through a work-up to go on that deployment, I still nonetheless won't be projected to receive any compensation or benefits.
[Additional Information: Un-related to my mental health, there are at least two things wrong with me physically that have occured SINCE enlistment, and not prior to enlistment:
1. My sleep schedule severely degraded since enlisting. Ever since I enlisted (save boot camp) I'd get on average about 3-5 hours of sleep a night during the working days of the week. After coming back to the barracks, I would just lay there, but all of the stress and thoughts that flooded my head kept me awake at night. And yet I got accustomed to waking up at 0400 because of morning PT. There were times I'd get sick and have to go to medical for this, but otherwise I'd keep this to myself so I wouldn't have to bother leadership about my problems (mostly due to men in general having to confess that they have a problem is taboo in America's current political and cultural climate). And,
2. While on deployment, I'd start smoking Marlboro cigarettes... A lot. It got to the point where one time while running a PT, I collapsed all of a sudden. After coming to, I was sent to medical, and they performed an EKG on me. They then learned that the left ventricle of my heart had suffered due to my smoking habits. This one, unlike the aforementioned sleep cycle, has been documented.]
[Input of the Responders of the Previous Forum: After talking with a few other retired military personnel, I've been recommended the following options:
- Request an MEB
- Seek legal assistance (DSO or base legal)
- Gather my records for anything that could prove my condition got worse, or alternatively anything not related to my mental health but could still get me some form of compensation (Naval, Oscar, etc.)
- File a VA claim ASAP
- Consult the VSO or a JAG
- Consult a therapist (I'm already doing this)]
With all things considered, what can I do for my case? Is there anything I can do to claim disability and retain my benefits? Is there anything I can do to change my reasons for separation from administrative to medical? Is my case salvageable? And if so, how can I fight for it? Anything that can help me would be much appreciated.