Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 10/25/2009

Question
Please Help...My son joined the Marines in Nov 2008 and in the process to prepare for Boot Camp became injured with severe Shin Splints. His Ship Date was April 9 but was not able to leave because he was still in Physical Therapy. Also during that time he had some minor Court issues to clear up and was on temporary probation...the judge wiped his records clean due to good behavior and cancelled the probation since he was going in the Marines. In July he was healed from the Shin Splints and the Recruiter wanted all copies of his Medical Records. Those were sent to MEPS for review but here is where it gets tricky...my son was meeting at PT with another recruit...this guy shipped out in August and 4 weeks ago this guy caused an Audit to happen at the Recruiting Station...and this guy told them to investigate my son. The Master Sargent called my son in and questioned him and then the Recruiter did a Medical Discharge on my son and told him he can sign up again when this blows over. As it turns out this guy had Felonies in San Diego and didn't reveal that to them and because he was discharged he wanted to throw others under the bus...or so we are being told. The Recruiter told us there isn't a problem with our son but because of his injuries it delayed him in going in and it was best to discharge him and that they are continuing to reveiew his medical records which should be finished in a couple of weeks. He said when those are returned he will have our son sign a new contract and will have him on the calendar to leave for Boot Camp before the year is out. Does this all add up to you?? My son has worked really hard to get into the Marines and has his heart set on this but I feel like this Recruiter has given us the runaround! What could this new recruit have done to cause an Audit?? Thank you for your time. Kathleen  

Answer
Kathleen,
Sometimes idiots like that guy can cause a lot of trouble because they're "mad at the military" and blaming them instead of themselves for their problems.  It's hard to tell what he may have done, but the Inspector General has to check out every complaint anyway, just in case.

What your recruiter is telling you is correct.  He sounds like one of the good ones.
I wish him well
Colonel H