So I've heard mixed rumors about this but I get asked ALL the time by my COC and others. I obviously want out because my conditions make military life very difficult but when someone important asks me I tend to not want to say yes. I normally say "I'd love to stay in but my conditions make it impossible to go on". When it comes to the NMA I'm kinda worried that if I put down that I don't wish the stay in they'll adsep me. What are the right/wrong things to say when it comes to important people asking if I am hoping to get out?
Telling people you want out
- Thread starter adubz33
- Start date
Don't worry about what others think or say, you are the only person that knows what you are going through completely. I say tell them the truth, I am always big on the truth. But you can tell them what you want I just say hell yea I want out.
^^^This is exactly what I told those who asked me that question. In the end, it does not benefit you nor your branch to continue military service if you are not mentally or physically capable to do so.
I'll put it this way, I went through the same thing, and I constantly was on these boards and finally one day I read that it was no ones damn business but mine. And the second I read that I knew my decision. No one knows what's better for you than you, and once the Med Board is over and done with there is only one thing you have to worry about and that's you. So my advice is to be concise and accurate and honest with the way you feel about the situation and that will help tremendously at the end.
How could it get you adsep'd? You have to do something wrong in order to get adsep and telling them you want out is not grounds for the to adsep you.
On my COs letter as well as my NMA it was very clearly voiced that I could not continue my service due to the circumstances at hand. I received my results yesterday of 70% Dod(TDRL)/70% Va for ptsd. My voice and my hand I had in the process did not hinder anything.
On my NMA I directly said that I was no longer able to adequately perform the duties required by my rank and rating, and that as much as I loved serving my country, there was a point that I had to be honest with myself, and not be selfish. I knew I would not be able to handle the responsibilities and that I wanted out.
Everything went fine. But then again it probably depends on your medical issue. Mine was fairly cut and dry with TBI/Epilepsy.
Everything went fine. But then again it probably depends on your medical issue. Mine was fairly cut and dry with TBI/Epilepsy.
I flat out stated I do not wish to stay in due to the issues im having and the the constant issues within myself and my ability to perform. Had no issues. Good luck
In my NMA, I actually answered yes to wanting to stay in. It was for the same reasons you answer that to others. After talking with the peb attorney he suggested I write a letter to the board explaining why I said yes and that I want to change my answer to no because I can't do my job rating any longer. Just my experience as I too struggled with that question like you.
NMA is a non medical assessment. It is from your CoC and basically states their opinion on how your job and duty is affected. It actually carries a lot of weight sometimes for a fit or unfit finding. And chances are, if your signing your narsum, your command already routed it and gave it to your peblo. Double check ofc but if they needed it im sure you would know by now.
I'd suggest just being an honest broker and letting people know the truth. Am I going to say that when there was a possibility of me returning to full duty and unrestricted flight status that I didn't mince words with my CO so I didn't get a crappy fitrep? No. I told him that if I returned to full duty, I was staying in. I was pretty sure I'd never return to full duty. So was that a lie? I'm not a doctor. So to me, no...
Later, I was advised that if you say that you "wish to continue" military service, the PEB will go through great lengths to find you "fit." Take into account what you're rank and grade require. Where I am, I can't hand out towels at the gym. This can definitely bite you in the ass because when you can't perform your required duties (billet related, PFT/CFT, body composition, etc) you're looking at problems - which potentially could lead to ADSEP. Then you're looking at only VA compensation.
I had nearly every flight leadership designation and qualification you could have in my plane and as a pilot I worked really hard to get there. I wanted to stay in - almost to the point of hiding my conditions. But at the end of the day when you ultimately separate from service - you're the one who has to deal with your physical and mental conditions. Take care of yourself and your family, it's not selfish to do that...
Later, I was advised that if you say that you "wish to continue" military service, the PEB will go through great lengths to find you "fit." Take into account what you're rank and grade require. Where I am, I can't hand out towels at the gym. This can definitely bite you in the ass because when you can't perform your required duties (billet related, PFT/CFT, body composition, etc) you're looking at problems - which potentially could lead to ADSEP. Then you're looking at only VA compensation.
I had nearly every flight leadership designation and qualification you could have in my plane and as a pilot I worked really hard to get there. I wanted to stay in - almost to the point of hiding my conditions. But at the end of the day when you ultimately separate from service - you're the one who has to deal with your physical and mental conditions. Take care of yourself and your family, it's not selfish to do that...
Thanks for the advice. I submitted my NMA up the chain last week and was very clear that I didn't wish to stay in BECAUSE I can't perform duties within my rate or any rate at that. Just waiting for it to come back to my PEBLO.