Expert: Rod Powers - 11/8/2007

Question
MY SON IS BEING MEDICALLY DISCHARGED DUE TO A MEDICAL CONDITION HE INCURRED WHILE STATIONED AT GREAT LAKES. HE HAD AN INGROWN HAIR DUE TO A MILITARY HAIRCUT THAT HAS NOT HEALED.  HE HAS COMPLETED BOOT CAMP, GRADUATED AND BEEN MESSING WITH THIS EVER SINCE. HE ALSO RECENTLY MARRIED LESS THAN A MONTH AGO.  HE HAS BEEN IN THE NAVY SINCE LEAVING HOME FOR BOOT CAMP THE END OF MAY. IS HE ENTITLED TO ANY BENEFITS?  HE WAS NEVER ALLOWED TO ATTEND "A SCHOOL" BECAUSE HE WAS ON MEDICAL HOLD.  WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO HIM NOW?  HE HAS NO JOB, NO JOB SKILLS, ETC.?  IS THERE ANY RECOURSE HE CAN TAKE?  WILL BE POSSIBLY BE ABLE TO RE-ENTER THE NAVY ONCE HIS MEDICAL CONDITION IS CORRECTED AND IS THE NAVY LIABLE FOR ANY OF THIS SINCE IT HAPPENED WHILE HE WAS IN THEIR CARE?

Answer
Hi Barb,

There is no "set rule" about whether or not he would be eligible for any "benefits." Veteran benefits are run by he Department of Veteran Affairs, and it depends on exactly what benefits he was applying for. For complete information, see the VA website at: http://www.va.gov

For example, he would likely be entitled to continued free medical care, through the VA medical system, if he shows that his current medical condition is "service-connected." He would possibly be entitled to monthly VA disability compensation, if he can show that his current medical condtion, if "military connected," would preclude him from being employed.

>>HE HAS NO JOB, NO JOB SKILLS, ETC.?<< Um, isn't that the position he was in when he signed up for the Navy? If so, than he really isn't any worst off (other than a couple of months of military pay) than he was when he joined. I don't want to sound "harsh" here, but I very much doubt that any civilian job would refuse to hire him because he has a sore on his head. In other words, he really isn't any worse off (employment-wise) than he was when he joined the Navy.

Whether or not he will be allowed to reenlist in the Navy (or any branch) depends on primarily on the RE Code (reenlistment eligibility code) that his command elects to have placed on his DD Form 214 (Record of Military Service). I suspect (but cannot guarantee) that it will likely be an RE Code of "3," which means he would likely be eligible to reenlist (with a waiver), if he can show that the condition which resulted in a discharge is no longer a factor.

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my U.S. Military Careers information site at: http://usmilitary.about.com

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com