Expert: John L - 1/13/2009

Question
QUESTION: We have a 17 year son who with his dad permission joined the National Guard IN June of 2008. He does not graduate from high school until June of 2009. After attending his first couple of monthly RSP training he complained of soreness in his leg. We thought it was just because he was not used to all the physical training. After his 4th drill the pain was so bad he could not get out of bed and his dada took him to urgent care and he had X-rays and also had to have a MRI. He was referred orthopedic surgeon. His Dad notified the national Guard and let them know our son would not be attending the next RSP until after we knew the results from the surgeon visit. The Surgeon has written a letter stating the problem that my son has and that he can not do the physical activities like running and jumping and that our son is should not be a candidate for the military at this time due to the bone fragments in his knee.
His Dad spoke with an officer from the National Guard after sending the doctors report and letter stating that he is rescinding his permission for our son to continue with the National Guard due to the health risk now present. He was told our son still needs to report to the next couple of RSP drills....they will have him sit at desk, no physical activities and then he will talk to my husband again at a later time and they will work something out.

This does not sound right or even professional. My son has not attended boot camp and from what the Doctor is saying would not even be able to participate. What do we need to do to get him discharged?


ANSWER: He is still required by his contract to show up at drill.  Nothing bad will happen if he doesn't, however, it does teach him fulfilling his duty.  The process to discharge for unfit for duty (medically) can take a few months.  If he enjoys going, let him go.  If he loathes it, don't make him.  He will be discharged as uncharacterized since he never shipped off to basic training.  Let him make the choice for himself and that he makes it for his reasons.  

He may be upset over his injury,  don't let him feel bad, it happens alot, and if he heals up and is cleared, he can re join at a later date if he so chooses.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your response. So, to understand this corretly. If he does NOT continue with his monthly RSP drills he will be discharged as "uncharacterized" because he has not attended basic training...correct? Would it be better to have him discharged for unfit duty (medically)? And how would be go about having this done? Do we request this from the Master Sargeant that my son and husband have communicated with?

Are you currently in the Army National Guard?

Answer
I am currently in the National Guard and deal with RSP recruits all the time.  I run a recruiting station for the Guard.  They will not discharge medically because the injury is not related to the service, but uncharacterized due to not able to meet standards or did not ship for training.  make the intentions known to the Guard and they will usually work with him, depending on the state.  But the recruit, not the parents should communicate unless he is under 18.  The Guard cannot legally deal with the parents directly due to privacy laws and such.  

This is a good time for him to man up a little.  Let him make the choice and be responsible for it, it will go a long way.  Trust me on this.