Well sh*t. As most of you know, I left for Army Basic Training a little over a month ago. I'm back now (obviously) due to the fact that I have 2 broken vertebrae from an old injury. I had some occasional back pain, but I had no idea as to the extent of the damage. The Army saw fit to send me home on an EPTS chapter. EPTS means I had an injury that existed prior to service. The doctors told me that with this injury, I shouldn't consider military service of any kind, but that if I really wanted to serve, the Air Force is the only service that I should remotely consider due to their physical standards not being as rigorous as the other services. When you get out with an EPTS, you'v got to wait at least two years to fix whatever problem you have before you can rejoin, but that is waiverable after 6 months. So I've now got to figure out what I'm going to do with my life again. I've got nothing against the USAF, but I always wanted to be a soldier. Not a marine, not a sailor, not an airman. Just a soldier in the U.S. Army. I still want to serve my country, though Time to weigh more options. I'll be seeing a civilian doctor in a week or two to discuss what my options are with my back. From what I know of back injuries, surgical options are often worse than the injury itself. I'll be looking into physical therapy and weight training and see what that will do for me. Lord, what a bitter-sweet return. I'll be talking to some USAF people before long, I suppose. Man this just sucks. I was loving it, to; up until I got hurt and they took x-rays and told me I was going home, anyway. That's it for now. Princess is happy, and I'm happy I get to see her again, and I'm happy to see my family, but what a bitter-sweet reunion its been.
Wow, that sucks man...I'm sure Princess is happy, but man, sorry to hear about it. Good to have you back though.
Hey, the Air Force isn't a bad life. I served in the Air Force and enjoyed every minute of it. It's not as physical as the other branches but just as rewarding. Jobs in the Air Force tend to lean towards more technologically advanced, but hey, you can be a cook too. If you were going in to the Army to be a grunt, maybe you can consider a job as Security Police in the AF or if you want more combat, you can be a Forward Air Controller, they parachute in behind enemy lines to direct bombing strikes. The possiblities are endless and the pay is about the same. Joining the military was one of the best things I ever did. Especially if you want to gain some maturity and learn to be respectful. You'd be amazed at how basic training can mature a young, sniveling, know-it-all (but doesn't know-it-all) teenage punk. Good luck on whatever you decide.
Sorry to hear that Lynus. I have 2 things to say. How did you have have a broken back, and not know about it? Also, I always thought that the Air Force was the most rigorous and hardest section of the Armed Forces.
Hmmm.... My boyfriend's back and you're gonna be in trouble... hey la hey la, my boyfriend's back! Welcome back Lynus.
<i> My Boyfriend's Back The Angels Spoken: He went away and you hung around And bothered me, every night And when I wouldn´t go out with you You said things that weren´t very nice My boyfriend´s back and you´re gonna be in trouble (Hey-la-day-la my boyfriend´s back) You see him comin´ better cut out on the double (Hey-la-day-la my boyfriend´s back) You been spreading lies that I was untrue (Hey-la-day-la my boyfriend´s back) So look out now cause he´s comin´ after you (Hey-la-day-la my boyfriend´s back) (Hey, he knows that you been tryin´) (And he knows that you been lyin´) He´s been gone for such a long time (Hey-la-day-la my boyfriend´s back) Now he´s back and things´ll be fine (Hey-la-day-la my boyfriend´s back) You´re gonna be sorry you were ever born (Hey-la-day-la my boyfriend´s back) Cause he´s kinda big and he´s awful strong (Hey-la-day-la my boyfriend´s back) (Hey he knows I wasn´t cheatin´!) (Now you´re gonna get a beatin´!) (What made you think he´d believe all your lies?) (Wah-ooo, wah-ooo) (You´re a big man now but he´ll cut you down to size (Wah-ooo, wait and see) My boyfriend´s back he´s gonna save my reputation (Hey-la-day-la my boyfriend´s back) If I were you I´d take a permanent vacation (Hey-la, hey-la, my boyfriend´s back) Yeah, my boyfriend´s back (La-day-la, my boyfriend´s back) Look out now, yeah, my boyfriend´s back (La-day-la, my boyfriend´s back) I could see him comin´ (La-day-la, my boyfriend´s back) So you better get a runnin´ (La-day-la, my boyfriend´s back) Alright now (La-day-la, my boyfriend´s back) Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (La-day-la, my boyfriends´s back) My boyfriend´s back now (La-day-la, my boyfriend´s back) FADES- Know he´s comin´ after you (La-day-la, my boyfriend´s back) Because he knows I´ve been true now... </i> Mango
Wow... what lead you to believe that?? I would think being a Marine would be the most challenging, mentally and physically.
Well, you already know what I think, but... If you want to be an Air Force weenie and help the guys lay the lead on, I'll spot the targets for you... I'm guessing this would be a DQ for pilot training? I dunno. I know you wanted to do this, and I have some idea of what you might be going through, although I know that I can't possibly know how you're feeling right now (if that makes sense). This sucks. I definitely know this isn't the way you wanted to come back... But at least you're back in one piece. Could've been alot worse, and I know Princess is happy. You've got at least 6 months to get a few opinions (medical) and figure out what you want to do. Maybe AF wouldn't be so bad? I guess that'll all just depend on what the docs say... Whatever you decide, good to have you back.
Thanks to all for the reception. I have missed this site. I didn't mean to sound as though I was dissing the Air Force. The Army was just always my first choice. As for Forward Air Controllers and similar military jobs, that's just the issue: According to the doctors, I can't meet the physical requirements of combat arms with the injury I have. Simply put, I would be a burden and a liability to the unit if my back could not be relied on. Of course, I have to find out what my options are in full. There are a million doctors who would tell a ball player that (for instance) playing on a sprained ankle would be a burden to the team and a great risk for the player. Granted, a sprained ankle isn't as serious as this, but I think you get the idea. And for the record, I'm 26 and I have my bachelor's degree. The answer to your second thought is a resounding "NOPE." The Marine Corps is by far the most rigorous of basic training, and the longest too at 12 or 13 weeks. I don't know about the Navy and the Coast Guard, but the Army (9 weeks) is second to the USMC, and the USAF has the shortest (6 weeks) and the easiest (relatively speaking) of boot camps. The USAF didn't earn the nickname of Chair Force for nothing. Now for your first question: Apparently, its not as uncommon as one might think to have broken vertebrae. That's what the Army doctors told me and also what my civilian doctor told me over the phone. According to them, people can go decades complaining of back pain and never know that that's what the problem is. I know it sounds ridiculous, but apparently that's the case. Like I said, I was injured, and I've had back pain, but I was also x-rayed back then (they came back negative) and given a clean bill of health at the time. I honestly never had a clue as to the extent of the injury. I was looking forward to getting in the best shape of my life; I figured that with the over-all conditioning it would serve to help get rid of some of the aches and pains I've developed over the years. Nope. I've been gone a month and I've had three haircuts, all ordered by my drill sergeant(s). I imagine that this would be a dq for pilot training. That doesn't really matter though as my Lasik surgery would be a dq. And yes, this does suck. But like you said, it could be worse and at least I'm in one piece. I'll be getting a few opinions in a week or two. Physical therapy is definitely in order, at the very least. Thanks again, all. Bitter-sweet, but its good to be back.
Lynus: Good to have you back even though it is a bittersweet one for you. I know how excited you were about being in the Army. Maybe things will still work out for you in joining the Air Force. I know it's not your first choice, but it is better than nothing for someone who wants to serve like you do. In the meantime, I hope everything works out for you and if I was you, I would just take a week off and try to forget my problems. By this time next week, I'd be hard at it in figuring out what to do. BTW - I have gotten all kinds of heavy metal s*it...Freak has been very helpful in your absence..hehe.
Don't worry! I've already informed him that he's mine all week, since we just started spring break! It is very bittersweet. But I am so glad to have him back. Welcome home!
I must be thinking of fighter pilot training or something. Yeah, I think thats what it was. They have to go through some crazy ****. Fighter pilots are like the top .0001% in the world man.
A belated welcome back to you lynus. You know, its not too late to persue a career in erotic dancing.
Lynus, I am sure that you will come out on top. There are many ways to serve our country that don't require going into the military. I hear the CIA is recruiting. DaDakota
