Interestingly, it appears that the debt recoupment may be illegal/invalid in the first place.
DODFMR Vol. 7A, Chap 2, Table 2-1 states "if a member under a written agreement for a pay or benefit incurs an injury or illness, through no misconduct of the member, that precludes the member from fulfilling the service conditions specified in the written agreement and the member is separated, other than as described in Rule 2 (
ed: Rule 2 refers to medical disability), for medical reasons as a result of an injury or illness then repayment of the unearned portion of the pay or benefit
will not be sought, unless the Secretary of the Military Department concerned determines that repayment of the unearned portion is appropriate due to a personnel policy or management objective, equity or good conscience, or it is in the best interest of the United States." (emphasis mine)
Additionally, the message directing my ADSEP specifically stated "D. STOP PAYMENT (
WITHOUT RECOUP) OF ANY REMAINING ENTITLEMENT FOR ADSEPS NOT AT FAULT OF MEMBER (I.E. MEDICAL DISQUALS)." (emphasis mine)
To my mind, this means that the default position is one of non-recoupment unless specifically
directed by the SECNAV, as opposed to the current reality of default recoupment unless specifically
waived by the SECNAV.
I have contacted DFAS-Indianapolis to dispute this debt and am awaiting their reply. Still no word from the SECNAV's office regarding the waiver that was sent to them 4 months ago.