Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 9/3/2010

Question
my son arrived at basic Monday 8-30 i received a phone call from him on Wednesday 9-1 from his cell saying his in someone office because he had passed out hit his head had mri everything was fine they ask him if he had any medical issues he said adhd but i have a waiver from the S.G. about 20 min later he said they told him he was being sent home do to medical how can this be if he have a medical waiver for adhd and passing out has nothing to do with adhd that was the end of the conversation.he has to go then calls back Wednesday night and says he going to the Dr's 630am i have not hear from him since i am worried sick over this call can they do this.

Answer
Frances,
You'll need to know a lot more information than you've been given so far.  A new recruit in Basic Training is often considered not to be actually IN the military yet.  Sometimes a recruit can be sent home to heal properly and then return, so he's not wasting government time and money.  Those are just some of the possibilities.  There's so many variables as to what could be going on it's hard to tell.  They will most likely reassign him to a squadron that is basically a "medical holding unit" if it's not too serious.  So while he's moving it'll probably be a few days before he'll have a chance to call.  Just like going in for a surgery, they always prepare you for the worst.  So he may have heard "send you home" and keyed in on that.

Above all, when you do hear from him, tell him to be sure he asks lots of questions and that he fully understands what is happening to him.  This is a time of excitement and confusion for him and he has the right to ask questions.

I'm sure you'll hear from him soon.  Be sure to get a number where he can receive calls and the name/number of his unit.

It's a mother's job to worry, and you're doing your job well.
I wish I could tell you everything will be OK, but like you, I just don't have all the details.

Best wishes,
Colonel H