Expert: Rod Powers - 8/18/2006

Question
My daughter graduated from the NRTC in Chicago and was to proceed Florida for training in Air Traffic Control. A check up revealed that she is anemic. She has been held up in Chicago for over a month now. Subsequently, she has gone through various other tests and there is no apparent cause. What is Naval procedure in this situation? How can she expedite proceeding to Florida? Or does this qualify her for a Medical Discharge and will she have any benefits if Discharged?

Answer
Hi Gary,

Okay, first of all, a low-ranking enlisted member doesn't get to "expedite" anything. As far as the military "pecking order," they are at the bottom of the pecking order list. Just like the brand-new "floor clerk" at Wal-Mart, who's only worked there a couple of months -- her options are limited. I know that sucks, but that's the way it always has been.

In any event, don't expect the process to be very fast.

I've known medical evaluations to take six or seven months.  The good news is, she's still being paid. During the consideration process, she'll be given duties to do, within her medical restrictions, and is still drawing a pay-check.

The Navy is in the process of going through a medical evaluation procedure to determine whether or not her particular medical condition is incompatible with continued military service. You can read about the process at: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/theorderlyroom/a/medseparation.htm

What benefits, or whether or not she will be entitled to veteran benefits depends on several factors, including whether or not they determine if the medical condition was "pre-existing, and most of which are explained in the above article.

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my military information website at: http://usmilitary.about.com

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com