I feel like this whole MEB/PEB thing is exactly like being forced as a participant into a slow motion horror film... You are forced to watch all these shitty actors (doctors, PEBLO, VA examiners) Make all of the wrong decisions.... Then wait slowly and painfully as the scene plays out to a predictably horrific ending..
So now I sit at FT Lewis, awaiting my fate by the FPEB on Friday... Seeing the train wreck that is slowly forthcoming...
Tony,
There's a lot of the process you can't control, and yes its miserable to see the wrong decisions made time and time again, but don't let that slip you into a feeling of helplessness in the process.
If there's a key to getting the best outcome possible from start to finish, and notice I did NOT say winning....its making the best informed decisions and fights you can.
Soak up knowledge, ask questions, seek advice, and understand both the process and the regulations that will affect you.
Think three steps ahead as much as you can, and be proactive about the actions you take, such as knowing what to expect and what to do BEFORE you undergo the C&P exams and NARSUM. Be especially proactive when it comes to lining up medical evidence outside of the IDES process such as a DBQ, and have them ready when the time comes to appeal.
Missing key points of performance early on, such as not listing or ensuring ALL the ratable conditions were addressed during the C&P exams or NARSUM, and/or all the conditions that should have been deemed as not fit for retention standards recognized on the MEB findings, unwittingly sets the injured SM up for a much harder fight at the PEB and beyond. Read everything the PEBLO gives you word for word several times and damn well know what it means BEFORE you sign it.
When at the MEB or PEB stage, knowing what you can and should fight for is half the battle, and having the evidence to back it up is the other half. 90% information and preparation 10% luck.
The greatest thing on my side has been the wealth of information I have benefited from in this forum.
I understand you're at the tail end of the military side of the process, but you're still very much in the fight. Sure it's painfully frustrating, but shake it off, think out your next four moves and keep engaged in the battle and landing solid punches when you can.
That said, take a short break in between rounds and let it slide temporarily onto the back burner, enjoy something to keep it all in perspective and recharge your batteries, whether that's relaxing with your wife and kids or just going for a drive with no destination but to find the best burger on the planet. Keep this in perspective.
I hope Friday at the FPEB went well.
We fight on...