Sorry that I've not updated anything for a while, but here is a chance for me to try to do just that.
I'm now in my 5th. week of officer basic training, and it has been very trying at best. I've so far passed about 3 of the 6 requirements for graduation, but not without a price. My feet thanked me for putting them through a 5 mile road march by treating me to two really bad blisters that required emergency medical care. I'm also not very good at the skills of land navigations....I've just completed my second try, and aside from the usual tiredness, my joints/muscles have been screaming for me to give them a break.
That sort of leads to the title of this entry, my cadre (consists of one higher ranking officer, and a few non-commissioned officers) has recommended that I'd be sent home based on the fact that I'm simply not physically fit enough. It really is quite unfair because I've so far passed all of the physical requirements despite that I had injuries (blisters, and twisted ankles.). They wanted me to go home to "get more fit", and heal my injuries and then repeat the whole course. I am thinking no to all of the above and while I don't mind going home, I would like to use this opportunity to make a case for requesting a medical discharge from the reserves.
Some of you might know that I have been contemplating getting out for a while, and just what solidified this intent?
a. I am truly sick of dealing with people whose only intent is to see you falter.
b. My overall army experience, while good at times, have been made up of mostly frustrations.
c. The benefits (for me) of getting out outweighs the benefits of staying in, and it's simply not all monetary.
d. My body is simply not going to magically heal and this is probably the best physical shape that I will have for me being in my late 30's.
e. Why would anyone want to return to Ft. Benning? (Okay, if you are an airborne infantry ranger, you pretty much have to be here for a while.)
I don't know what's going to happen as I go and talk to the company commander, but I'm just going to be honest with him and hopefully he'll be receptive to that. 13 years is a long time (my total combined active duty/reserve time.), and hopefully he'll understand how tired I have become.
As much as the cadre has been giving me a overall hard time about me not being as fast and strong as the other 20 something year old officers, I have to say that most of the students here have been really nice to me. I almost never lacked rides if I needed to goto somewhere, never lacked friends to go out to eat with, and have gotten much encouragements/advices (some not so sound ones.) from them, so I cannot complain about that.
I am very looking forward to be going home to be with the GF and our pets! God willing, the departure process will be swift and ultimately, I hope they'll grant me a medical discharge...to which I know will be yet another uphill battle....but at least I could be at home.
Will let you know what the outcome is as soon as it becomes available. Wish me luck on this one!
