My MEB story,
I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as a TSgt at 14.5 years in the AD Air Force, in 2004, DKA/ hospital stay when init DX, yada, yada (good times, not). Anyway, they boarded me, the informal came back as to separate with 20% and here's a check for 60K or so to sucker me with. I told them to stick it, and that I will see the formal board at Lackland.
I then learned all the AFI's, DODI's, US Code, you name it. I contacted every previous commander I could find I ever worked with for a letter of support. I contacted every functional manager I ever had or knew and got a letter of support, as well as previous supervisors, chiefs, and retired chiefs. All told I had about 25 letters of support. Then I found verbiage in one of the DODI's or AFI's (I do not recall at the moment), That said something to the effect of, if the individual possesses a specific skill that is hard to replace then it is in the best interest of DOD to keep them, even with the limiting condition. Oh, I also had a letter from a former base CC who was running bases in Europe or something like that by the way, he was a MGen at the time, no prob getting the letter, just asked for his support. Anyhow, I had my functional managers provide the numbers of shortages in my career field at the time (combat Arms/Law Enforcement), and remark how I was needed, as there was a shortage of experienced Combat Arms specialists in the career field to train future instructors, and that my experience was vastly superior to 95% of the career field (just type the letter, they will sign it, haha).
I took all this, as well as a letter from my wife, great lab results since DX, and a speech I wrote explaining every achievement since day one of my service, which also provided them the way with chapter/page/para to justifiably retain me in service by the book, using the special skills mentioned above. Additionally, I dumped all medal citations, letters of appreciation, special awards, or anything else I had accomplished. Additionally, I turned in over 300 student critiques that I had in my files over the years, that had critiques with positive comments.
My jag lawyer, or whatever they cann them, was impressed with it all and asked the judges for a summary judgment. They declined as they wanted to talk.
I entered, swore in, they read me some legalize, then began. The first thing they said was, it is not often that we receive this much supporting documentation for someone in your position, and it is also very impressive that you have support from a two star general. They also went on to say how well I had gained control of my problem since DX and was now on an insulin pump. Their questions were, it anyone other than my cc aware of your condition? to which I replied, "everyone in my unit, as a matter of fact I do presentations to my squadron on safety days on things to look out for in co workers or when performing PT, signs, symptoms of diabetes, etc." Next question was, what will happen if you hypo at work? I explained to them that my team of coworkers have all been trained to use a glucose injection that I carry with me at all times, I then produced my red emergency shot from my pocket, and showed them. Their final question was what would I do if the board did not find in my favor, and found me unfit for service? I explained that I would not accept it, and would appeal it to the next level review, per AFI, bla, bla, and DODI, bla, bla, and USC bla, bla to the SECAF, and I also explained that I would be willing to provide in person testimony of every personal referenced in the letters in front of them to support my continuation in service, why I was needed, and that it would be a mistake to the USAF, I also told them that I would also prove to the SECAF how how the formal board made an error in judgement in their finding of unfit, per bla, bla, bla (I had all regs memorized). I also told them that I would never stop fighting, even if kicked out, I would take it to the supreme court as a civilian if I had to.
With that, they explained that their questions were complete and asked if I had any questions or remarks for them? My response first was to thank them for their time and for their service to our country. I then told them that I had prepared a speech that I was going to deliver, but that in the interest of time, I asked if they would agree to read it prior to making their final decision, Once they all agreed to do this, I producced 3 copies for them from the jag, who had yet to really say a word, outside the formal remarks. I then made a short statement about how I should be retained in service, what my job it, and how my conditions would not affect my abilities. I then closed my remarks.
The results came about 15 minutes later that I was found fit and returned to duty with no overseas duty outside of alaska or hawaii. As i grabbed my stuff and was headed out the door, two of the judges caught me in the hall and wished me well in my career.
I was RILO'd 1.5 years later, found fit and returned to duty, then again a year after that then boarded again but, fit and returned without the formal board, then RILO'd one more time, fit and returned. Now, as I sit here typing this, I have my retirement ceremony in 30 days, with a 1 June 2010 effective retirement date, and will retire as a MSgt with 20 years, and 6 days of AD service. I made it!
I dropped my VA claim 2 weeks ago, and hope to do well with it, as a T1 diabetic with sleep apnea, chronic arm pain/scars/nerve damage from fractures/surgeries, carpal tunnel, plantar faciitis, TMD, and some other problems that have come up over the years.
I was told initially that as a T1 diabetic I had less than a 1% chance of staying in. I was determined to not let 14 years go down the drain, so I fought hard, and I believe that the board figured that anyone willing to do everything in his power to stay in will have a place in the military. Trust me, it was not easy remaining in after that initial MEB, I did not disclose alot of things going on with me, for fear of triggering another board. I also got to know which doc was supportive and who to stay away from. I am not gonna lie, I worked the system every way I legally could, to make it all the way to 20, but damn it feels good to finally be here.
Just thought I would share, as I know a lot of you are going through this without knowing what to think.
This is my story as best as I can remember, I hope it helps, even if just a little.
Jason
I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as a TSgt at 14.5 years in the AD Air Force, in 2004, DKA/ hospital stay when init DX, yada, yada (good times, not). Anyway, they boarded me, the informal came back as to separate with 20% and here's a check for 60K or so to sucker me with. I told them to stick it, and that I will see the formal board at Lackland.
I then learned all the AFI's, DODI's, US Code, you name it. I contacted every previous commander I could find I ever worked with for a letter of support. I contacted every functional manager I ever had or knew and got a letter of support, as well as previous supervisors, chiefs, and retired chiefs. All told I had about 25 letters of support. Then I found verbiage in one of the DODI's or AFI's (I do not recall at the moment), That said something to the effect of, if the individual possesses a specific skill that is hard to replace then it is in the best interest of DOD to keep them, even with the limiting condition. Oh, I also had a letter from a former base CC who was running bases in Europe or something like that by the way, he was a MGen at the time, no prob getting the letter, just asked for his support. Anyhow, I had my functional managers provide the numbers of shortages in my career field at the time (combat Arms/Law Enforcement), and remark how I was needed, as there was a shortage of experienced Combat Arms specialists in the career field to train future instructors, and that my experience was vastly superior to 95% of the career field (just type the letter, they will sign it, haha).
I took all this, as well as a letter from my wife, great lab results since DX, and a speech I wrote explaining every achievement since day one of my service, which also provided them the way with chapter/page/para to justifiably retain me in service by the book, using the special skills mentioned above. Additionally, I dumped all medal citations, letters of appreciation, special awards, or anything else I had accomplished. Additionally, I turned in over 300 student critiques that I had in my files over the years, that had critiques with positive comments.
My jag lawyer, or whatever they cann them, was impressed with it all and asked the judges for a summary judgment. They declined as they wanted to talk.
I entered, swore in, they read me some legalize, then began. The first thing they said was, it is not often that we receive this much supporting documentation for someone in your position, and it is also very impressive that you have support from a two star general. They also went on to say how well I had gained control of my problem since DX and was now on an insulin pump. Their questions were, it anyone other than my cc aware of your condition? to which I replied, "everyone in my unit, as a matter of fact I do presentations to my squadron on safety days on things to look out for in co workers or when performing PT, signs, symptoms of diabetes, etc." Next question was, what will happen if you hypo at work? I explained to them that my team of coworkers have all been trained to use a glucose injection that I carry with me at all times, I then produced my red emergency shot from my pocket, and showed them. Their final question was what would I do if the board did not find in my favor, and found me unfit for service? I explained that I would not accept it, and would appeal it to the next level review, per AFI, bla, bla, and DODI, bla, bla, and USC bla, bla to the SECAF, and I also explained that I would be willing to provide in person testimony of every personal referenced in the letters in front of them to support my continuation in service, why I was needed, and that it would be a mistake to the USAF, I also told them that I would also prove to the SECAF how how the formal board made an error in judgement in their finding of unfit, per bla, bla, bla (I had all regs memorized). I also told them that I would never stop fighting, even if kicked out, I would take it to the supreme court as a civilian if I had to.
With that, they explained that their questions were complete and asked if I had any questions or remarks for them? My response first was to thank them for their time and for their service to our country. I then told them that I had prepared a speech that I was going to deliver, but that in the interest of time, I asked if they would agree to read it prior to making their final decision, Once they all agreed to do this, I producced 3 copies for them from the jag, who had yet to really say a word, outside the formal remarks. I then made a short statement about how I should be retained in service, what my job it, and how my conditions would not affect my abilities. I then closed my remarks.
The results came about 15 minutes later that I was found fit and returned to duty with no overseas duty outside of alaska or hawaii. As i grabbed my stuff and was headed out the door, two of the judges caught me in the hall and wished me well in my career.
I was RILO'd 1.5 years later, found fit and returned to duty, then again a year after that then boarded again but, fit and returned without the formal board, then RILO'd one more time, fit and returned. Now, as I sit here typing this, I have my retirement ceremony in 30 days, with a 1 June 2010 effective retirement date, and will retire as a MSgt with 20 years, and 6 days of AD service. I made it!
I dropped my VA claim 2 weeks ago, and hope to do well with it, as a T1 diabetic with sleep apnea, chronic arm pain/scars/nerve damage from fractures/surgeries, carpal tunnel, plantar faciitis, TMD, and some other problems that have come up over the years.
I was told initially that as a T1 diabetic I had less than a 1% chance of staying in. I was determined to not let 14 years go down the drain, so I fought hard, and I believe that the board figured that anyone willing to do everything in his power to stay in will have a place in the military. Trust me, it was not easy remaining in after that initial MEB, I did not disclose alot of things going on with me, for fear of triggering another board. I also got to know which doc was supportive and who to stay away from. I am not gonna lie, I worked the system every way I legally could, to make it all the way to 20, but damn it feels good to finally be here.
Just thought I would share, as I know a lot of you are going through this without knowing what to think.
This is my story as best as I can remember, I hope it helps, even if just a little.
Jason
