Expert: John L - 1/17/2011

Question
My son is in Army basic training and about to be discharged with a medical chapter 517.  He hit too hard repelling Victory tower when his brake malfunctioned and received eight stress fractures.  The Army is telling him to take a 517 because in 6 months to two years when he heals completely it will be easier to reenlist. Is this true and what recourse will he have if it never heals correctly?

Answer
Here is what Chap 5 par 17 of AR 635-200, Enlisted Personnel Separations says

Other designated Physical Or Mental Conditions:  Soldiers will be considered for involuntary separation under this paragraph on the basis of Other physical or mental conditions not amounting to disability (AR 635-40) (excluding conditions appropriate for separation processing under paragraph 5-11 or 5-13), that potentially interfere with assignment to or performance of duty.  IAW para 5-17a, AR 635-200, such conditions may include, but are not limited to, suicidal tendencies, chronic airsickness or seasickness, sleepwalking, dyslexia, severe nightmares, claustrophobia, and other disorders manifesting disturbances of perception, thinking, emotional control or behavior sufficiently severe that the soldier’s ability to effectively perform military duties is significantly impaired. The diagnosis must be established by a psychiatrist or doctoral-level clinical psychologist with necessary and appropriate professional credentials who is privileged to conduct mental health evaluations for the DOD components.

Now he can try to get back in in 6 months or a year, but all injuries would have to be healed.

If he never heals completley, he cannot get back in.  He would also need documentation to get care paid for the military after he leaves.

His break did not malfinction while rapelling, the brake is himslef, there is no mechanism to break you while rapelling.  he just did it incorrectly.