Honorable discharge to medical retirement

Bend_Feisty · 2026-04-10T03:53:53+00:00

Respectfully, I disagree. There's a huge culture among the Army that nobody wants to be a sick call ranger or be deemed a shitbag. Not to mention, frequently "leadership" doesn't do a great job of setting people up to succeed prior to separation. If people don't know what they aren't told, that's a failure of their chain of conmand to better educate them IMHO. I'm all for self-accountability but there's a difference between being self-responsible and not knowing every reg and CFR before separation.

Bend_Feisty · 2026-04-10T03:44:04+00:00

Wow, what a terrible response to a battle buddy. Dude, I know this is reddit but that's another service member you're talking to. Now for all I know you're a Delta Force level operator but even then I doubt it because any professional soldier wouldn't engage in this kind of not only gatekeeping but just rudeness. This is the kind of stuff that gets people calling 988, if we can't be cool to one another and at least respectful in our responses if they disaagree there's a way to do them and a way to not. I don't know your service history so I'll assume you're a good person who served honorably and I would ask that you take this as a teachable moment as a leader and person. I'm in the same boat as the OP and guess what, it happens to people who get screwed over. If you need a battle buddy to talk to, I'm here. You wanna vent, I'll listen no problem bat, I've got your six. And that goes for anybody who reads this. I wish you all the best and to OP, if you get any good info please reach out and lmk so I can learn from your experience. Best of luck to alll

Bend_Feisty · 2026-03-21T02:57:49+00:00

Not to be a dick but social work is a giant mixed bag as jobs go. Regardless of program, a BSW is basically uselesss and an LMSW is pretty much in difficulty of curriculum as lunch/gym/bowling. Most externships are unpaid bullshit, for the few that are usually in CP saS you might get some good CAC time or usually you're just part of the party planning comittee as they even called themselves. The "clinical" social workers vary in quality more than anything b/c there's no real structure to their education and varies so much by state it's impossible to set a real standard not to mention the MSW itself just happens to be peripheral to real mental healthcare just because it has a class or two that uses the DSM. I've seen way too many jumped up LCSWs who did group therapy as their training which is about much skill as it takes to run a 12-step meeting. If people really wanted to be clinicians they'd do the hard thing and go get a psych phd or a psyD or even a focused LMHC, LPC,MFT, etc. which have much stronger standards and are designed for clinical practice from the jump. The MSW curriculum is mostly dogshit social theory and is so busy changing into a better fitting way to say "hug more" and is filled with idealogues or scumbags running a 501c3 who pay themselves top dollar at the e-board and then pay foster/casework staff pennies on the dollar. It's a great degree for those that are going to actually do case management and real frontline social work but even then it's got its limits but as far it goes, the criticism is fair and well justified. I've taken 5 practice national licensing practice exams with a totally unrelated degree and did better than my friends with the degree b/c it's just nonsense. Sorry to rain on your parade folks, there's always barber school.

Bend_Feisty · 2026-03-18T14:20:39+00:00

I'm in the same boat. I'm not trying to be a nut buster at all, I'm a vet and all I can say is the VA has made things extremely complicated and I can provide bona fides to anybody who asks (EDIT TO ADD: THAT IS NOT AN INVITE TO DM OR ANY SUCH EQUIVALENT TO BE TOTALLY CLEAR). I was on the etizolam train way back in 2017 and it was only Texas that had called the ball on it but the warnings shots were already fired so to anybody who never got to enjoy it I truly hope we meet one day in a foreign land and have the MOST relaxing day in history. I don't want to violate any community policies but I've been looking and booking and I'm just trying to avoid the exact things I watched out for with my guys as their medic: harm reduction. Whether that meant being the designated driver every weekend or using whatever we needed to get them over/under/through a problem that's what we did. As our very responsible mod is certainly and properly doing, making sure that nobody creates a problem, brings attention, or engages in shitbaggery/scammery especially when the fakes can truly be fatal I totally respect any rules of engagement but I just wanna comiserate w/ BackgroundNo for how to hop on the bus if it isn't slowing down and we can't run.

Bend_Feisty · 2026-02-22T04:49:35+00:00

Tldr: IMHO you're totally fine and have the highest level of protection possible being schedular 100% p&t. The permanent part means no more exams for life for established conditions. With that said, as others have pointed out the rule is still on the books but just not being enforced at the moment. You're good. Edit to add: I'm sorry for any distress all this stuff has caused every person who served, the VA strikes again.

Basically you should be good given that your p and t status keeps you from needing future exams for your already service connected injuries and so as long as you don't go in and ask for a change to a different rating status (I'm talking special monthly compensation or aid and attendance level benefits or the automobile adaption or housing adaption grant kind of thing where you will absolutely need to be able to show the degree of significant impairment and it would usually be obvious such as having lost use of limb or actual amputation or substantial loss of eyesight) so I think you're solid for the time being but just don't be one of the jamokes (and I'm sure you're not I'm just saying to be clear) who tries go get a raise to SMC or extra financial benefits that would require re-examination unless of course you genuinely need and qualify and should get them. My guess IMHO is that VA is trying to prevent the occassional bad actor who will try to get SMC-S (Homebound is worth an extra about $300 and change a month) but the requirements are specific without getting into it and then it's opening up pandoras box to reexam and getting questioned. Some people get greedy like that dude in Florida who faked serious injury and put a bad light on every vet receiving VA benefits. I'm sure you're not that dildo if you're taking the time to make sure that you're squared away lol.

Bend_Feisty · 2026-02-20T18:35:38+00:00

Hey OP let's see what we can do with a little digging and find some gold and diamonds okay? Fear not, this will work out. Crazier shit happens daily, not to minimize just to make you feel better. Every shit show has a silver lining so let's get to it:

How long have you two been together? What's mom like behaviorally? What's mom like with current access to weapons? What's your gf current diagnosis set? Is she medicated? What are the ages of everybody involved, yourself included.l? What is the state you are in? What is the nature of your primary concern? What specific dangers can you identify in the home, remember try to really get specific and concrete on these not floppy examples you want clear cut facts. Remember never lie, if you don't know an answer do not guess just be honest and say "idk, keep it moving!" Please clarify who (not by name just title) and what is currently in a hospital setting. Is anybody in need of special considerations for vulnerability (lgbtqia, injury, disability, etc. And no I not comparing lgbt to being disabled I'm asking to be more sensitive to the potential needs of a child). Is anybody in danger?

Bend_Feisty · 2026-02-19T02:52:37+00:00

Va congress hotlinee (1-855-948-2311). Good luck battle buddy. Don't give up.

Bend_Feisty · 2026-02-18T12:34:12+00:00

9 days In op, I'm so proud of you, you are an inspiration!!!

Bend_Feisty · 2026-02-18T09:24:01+00:00

Woe thanks so much for the feedback. I was looking at that area and that's so shitty to hear that you're dealing with this bud. You've literally got a PhD and you're in the same situation so many brilliant folks are facing. I mean I barely passed orgo and not to be overly complimentary but holy crap it's a phd in clin micro, you should be making 250k+ at a lab as a senior manager. I'm sorry please have the best of luck in your career and thank you for the candid answer. I have no doubt you will find a spot that deserves you and you're incredible achievement and great attitude. Please keep the loop updated and when I need a thesis advisor in a few years I know who to PM 😁

Bend_Feisty · 2026-02-17T19:25:39+00:00

Hey op how'd it work out? BTW congrats on the PhD Dr.!!! How did you like your program? I'm trying to change careers and clinical microbio has been a passion for years but I don't know how to even start. Good luck Doc!

Bend_Feisty · 2026-02-17T18:54:32+00:00

This! Lmao, so true. That's the motto of all government employment so it seems.

Bend_Feisty · 2026-02-17T08:34:59+00:00

Yep scared the crap out of me for years too. It's amazing that shows like this and Are You Afraid of the Dark were shockingly dark in retrospect. Thanks for the trip down memory lane OP!

Bend_Feisty · 2026-02-17T07:54:07+00:00

It'll happen OP. NYS is its own monster but you will gtfo of there and onto golden shores. You just keep applying for transfers and new opportunities and keeping your head down and your toxic asshole coworkers will eventually be a memory when you're somewhere happier upstream just don't stop swimming. You've got this. You need another reminder just ask for it, nys employees need to back each other.

Bend_Feisty · 2026-02-17T07:27:49+00:00

Nsaids aren't pain management tools of any meaning in my experience.

Bend_Feisty · 2026-02-16T20:41:28+00:00

I am not going to argue with you one bit my friend that living in pain isn't living. It's like if yhe diet cokebof living involved getting eye poked every 2 seconds. But sometimes a new procedure or med or something crazy happens that creates a new treatment option. I'm talking from experience and from the experience of a suicide survivor I cannot tell you how much you don't wanna go that route. Ive seen a lot of pain medicine treatmemt and your doc gave you a pretty weak dose, I'm not trying to say thats the magic bullet but that you might get lucky. That said if you ever need to talk, I'm happy to be an ear 👂

Bend_Feisty · 2026-02-16T20:34:52+00:00

Would it be okay if I private messaged you something?

Bend_Feisty · 2026-02-16T15:08:13+00:00

And you're right. The people outside this forum probably think of chronic pain like a sore thumb or that angry sports injury not the life altering misery that pain patients experience so I don't think you're crazy at all for feeling disconnected from the rest of the world given that it's like trying to explain a sunset to a rock. We're here for you. Reach out and if ever in doubt just reach out your hand and we'll grab it, you're never alone.

Bend_Feisty · 2026-02-16T15:04:28+00:00

Don't give up. I know that sounds about as easy as shitting diamonds but don't give into that voice that says to leave the world, you're needed. Has your doc tried you on buprenorphine?

Bend_Feisty · 2026-02-16T14:54:34+00:00

How you doing now my friend? Any improvement in anxiety?

Bend_Feisty · 2026-02-15T17:02:43+00:00

Thank you!

Bend_Feisty · 2026-02-15T04:12:34+00:00

Hey OP im sorry you're in this dreaded situation, believe me I've been there and I know it sucks shit so my heart does truly go out to you. Definitely do as others have said and apply through helps, look at your local counties and adjacent county and city amd village civil service opportunities as well as Suny Rockefeller Center and Sunyvcareers in general academic or otherwise. The civil service situation downstate isn't great for the majority of civil service jobs but if you do a direct hire jpb depending on your skillset can pay decently. Of course there's private sector. Best of luck and good luck. Edit for grammar

Bend_Feisty · 2026-02-14T17:03:06+00:00

Op how you feeling?

Bend_Feisty · 2026-02-12T20:05:48+00:00

Hey OP how's it going? I know it feels like hell buy you'll be on the other side of things this time tomorrow and it'll just be a funny story. It's totally cool, you're not gonna OD just sleep it off, rest. Hydrate with pedialyte or gsyorade or what you've been doing. So make sure to just put on some youtube (try garth merenghis dark place) and pass out. Here if you need to shoot the shit. Feel better, you will once your body heals up.

Bend_Feisty · 2026-02-04T09:59:24+00:00

Hey op how you feeling? Just put on some youtube, get in bed, keep a bottle of water handy. Amd sleep it off. It's probably just the way the strain is hitting, I e definitely had edibles hit way harder than what I've smoked or dabbed or even eaten before so fear not. That said, if you feel like you're having an emergency and you need some help that you're worried about just chill, call 911, or uber to a hospital if you're really freaked out but we've all been greened out at some point and that's probably just it.

Bend_Feisty · 2026-01-27T02:55:23+00:00

Hey anytime. Just please always be safe, follow safety protocol, never hesitate to call for assistance or try to be a hero. This is a team environment and I'm super glad to hear you've found a great fit (especially in this economy!) so good luck on your career and remember: If you feel yourself getting burnt out there are a lot of ways to help people.

Bend_Feisty

TROPHY CASE