Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/My Airman Daughter's Hip Pain

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Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 3/11/2009


Question
My daughter has been complaining about hip pain.  She is on a restricted PT schedule.  She is currently in a tech school and even having a hard time keeping up when she is marching to class.  She is currently doing physical therapy which does not appear to be solving the problem.  She was to have a doctor's appointment day after tomorrow and just found out the doctor was deployed.  Now she does not have an appointment until April, which is when they are threatening to med board her.  She is doing something she enjoys in tech school and is enjoying the Air Force.  However, right now she is feeling defeated and does not know who to talk to get someone to listen to her regarding her hip pain and her desire to stay in the Air Force.  I told her to keep talking to people and not give up the fight.  Can you give me some options for her?  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
Debbie,
What base is she currently at for tech school?  What is her rank?
First of all, regulations state she must be seen within 3 days.  She shouldn't accept an April appointment.  She needs to go to the Emergency Room is there's a clinic on base.  That will also help document her case, even if she's been there before.  Next I'd go to the base Chaplain.  Whether or not she's religious, the Chaplain can be a powerful ally and I guarantee he'll listen to her plight.  Right now she needs someone to intervene on her behalf rather quickly and he knows how to do it.
It may sound unusual but that's what I'd do.
Good luck and let me know what happens.
Colonel H

Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard

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MARK A. HOWELL

Expertise

All military questions, any Service. 30 years experience & two Ph.D.'s. 4 times Base Commander. Worked with Army, Navy, USMC, USCG and several foreign military units. Veteran of Kosovo, Bosnia, Macedonia, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, and 10 civil wars in Africa.

Experience

Air Force Colonel with 30 years experience. Air Force Base Commander 4 times. Highly decorated.

Organizations
Org of Am Historians, Wild West History Assoc., Disabled American Veterans - Life Member, Am Motorcyclist Assoc. - Life Member, North Am Hunt Club - Life Member, NWTF - Life Member

Publications
Numerous book reviews published in the Journal of American History. Two books submitted for publication.

Education/Credentials
Ph.D. in military history, Columbus University (Summa Cum Laude) Ph.D. in history, Northfield University, London, England (Summa Cum Laude) Master of Arts degree in history, Marshall University, WV Bachelors degree, double-major in history and mathematics, Salem College, WV Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL

Awards and Honors
Legion of Merit Defense MSM MSM x 5 Joint Commendation Mdl AF Commendation Medal Army Commendation Mdl Joint Achievement Mdl AF Achievement Medal Outstanding Volunteer Mdl

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