My daughter just called, she is being medically discharged,.(her knee went out). She depped in in October of 09, swore in on August 16, left for boot on August 17th.... is she eligible for any military benefits???? She will not be sent home for 2 weeks yet.

I am so sorry to hear about your daughter being medically discharged...I hope her knee is going to be all right.

Medical Discharge is a big fear of mine. It's a scary thought. I'm sorry to hear it happened to your daughter. Her knee went out some time last week? Was it caused by boot camp?

her knee went out Saturday morning.... she said she was bending over to get something out of her sock... (apparently that is where they keep things)

anyone have an idea of who I could contact to see if she has any options?

You could call and speak to her recruiter. But more or less at this point it is between her and the Coast Guard. As a mom, I know that is a horribly difficult answer to hear. You want names and numbers of people and places to fight the good fight for your girl! I understand and appreciate your position. However, there is very little you will be able to do at this point. The best you can do is sit back and let her handle it with the people at Cape May.

I am sorry she got hurt that seriously. I hope she will be right as rain as soon as possible. Best of luck... please let us know if you have any questions if you start hearing from her and need help with military jargon translation. Someone will be able to assist you with that on here.

I hit up a friend who was medical discharge, 5 weeks in. I'll see what benefits or results he got.

Thanks everyone, I contacted her recruiter today, He is at a conference...... He was really shocked to hear she was being medically discharged... he saw no issues with her  knee when they did their training.. it appears that she will have no military benefits, except the pay she gets while she is there.... not even the signing bonus. still waiting for a call to find out when she will get home. In a cruel twist of fate, I got the welcome to the CG letter in the mail today.. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.

I'm so sorry, that just feels like pouring salt into a wound. I wish your daughter all the best in wherever this takes her from here.

I am heartbroken for you and your family. The sign-on bonus is paid only after sucessful completion of boot camp, I believe. I "think" that her medical expenses will certainly be covered as well as rehab. Let things play out a little longer before giving up all hope. A few times in the past recruits have called home to say they are being medically discharged, only to find out later that they were going to be retained after treatment at Cape May. Had she had any knee issues prior to signing up? Have you had any other phone calls from her?....Did she tell you the exact injury?

Yes, she had prior knee issues, 2 surgeries, but hadn't had a knee related problem in over 2 years, and the last surgery was supposed to make her better than new..... Meps put her thru the paces and then some... (having her drop from standing to the cement floor, again no issues)... she was a competitive cheerleader... no problems..    It would be nice if they would change their minds..... any ideas of what to tell her next time she calls?

Yes, she had prior knee issues, 2 surgeries, but hadn't had a knee related problem in over 2 years, and the last surgery was supposed to make her better than new..... Meps put her thru the paces and then some... (having her drop from standing to the cement floor, again no issues)... she was a competitive cheerleader... no problems..    It would be nice if they would change their minds..... any ideas of what to tell her next time she calls?

She has called 2 times, one to say her knee went out.... then Sunday to say they were sending her home, but she wasn't sure when

The only thing you can say as a parent... I love you & I support you no matter what the outcome. Anything more than that might just seem forced. All you can do is stand by with tissues and hugs. Maybe, just a huge maybe, she will be allowed to rehab and attempt to re-enter after healing. It depends upon the level of her discharge... just let it play out and know that as parents, we all really do understand your worry and desire to do something, anything for her.

Next question....
do the recruits get a phone call daily while they are in medical?

The reason I ask, is that the daughter said she could call daily once she was in the hall she gets sent to after medical, but we didn't hear from her.... trying to figure out if she is still in medical or not... she thought she would be getting out of there yesterday

The old adage of no news is good news???? In this particular case, I don't know if that applies. But it could be the blow out wasn't as bad as initially suspected and she is already on the road to recovery. She will be rephased a few weeks and possibly still graduate??? This is all complete guessing and conjecture, all you can do is have your cell phone charged and ready at any moment to receive a call or sit silent waiting to receive a call.

Again, I know it's difficult to stand by and not know anything of what is happening but she will handle it. Even in the week's time she has been there, the training to stand on her own and the ability to complete things for herself were already being put into her head, her mindset. Hang in there, she'll let you know what's happening when the military let's her let you know.

Thanks oldguard.... I guess I don't know if it applies, but boy would that be nice if she was just rephased! the cell is charged, and I am not going ANYWHERE without it, it doesn't leave my side.., my husband and I are trying to remain positive.... I keep hoping they changed their minds....

I am not sure how serious it was, she was supposed to get out of Medical on Monday... they were only treating with ice and tylenol.... (which is why I don't think it was too bad) she was stil somewhat swollen Sunday, so they were keeping her another day, the only diagnostics they did were xrays... (which we all know you can't tell much from those if it isn't a broken bone) She said she was walking almost normal with very little limp.....

Just not sure why she didn't call...... ahhhhh.. another sleepless night!

She finally called, the info from the person at the medical ward told her she got to call home nightly... is bad info.... she was going to get to call to give us flight info, I finally left a message for her battalion commander... She will be home on Friday, with a general discharge, eliglble to re-enlist after a letter from the dr says her knee is stable, and if she can get a waiver from Meps.

It isn't the greatest news in the world but the option is open to her and that is a good thing. I'm sorry it worked out this way but you just never know why things happen the way they do!! Please let her know we are all hoping she is feeling well in no time at all!

Prayers are with her...I sincerely wish her the very best...

We are testing for firefighters if she might be interested... www.garlandfire.com

Thanks everyone... I don't know what was harder, her leaving, or her coming home.... I hope that she is able to get the waivers she needs if she decides to try again.

Well, thought I would give you all an update... (I hate hearing half of a story!)

She came home on Friday eve.... Knee painful but the swelling was down. She has seen the Ortho and ther is no structural or permanent damage. He figure she will be completley healed in 4-6 weeks, at that point she is planning on meeting with her recruiter again, he will put her thru some physical paces, and provided all goes well, a trip to MEPS with the hope of a medical waiver....

I will be praying for her and that medical waiver...Please let her know I wish her the very best!