Hey everyone,
I've been a lurker on the forum for a week or so now and have been reading through a lot of info which has been valuable. To provide a little background, I'm an 0679 (Data Systems Administrator) in the Marine Corps and found out about a week ago that I am going to begin the IDES process and be referred to the PEB as MMSR-4 denied my request for a 3rd limited duty assignment and has directed those referrals. I feel like I have a solid handle on how the overall process works as I have done a significant amount of research into it and read through the official guidance/policies themselves. The main thing I am looking for is if anyone else with similar issues could provide any guidance/insight based on their experience, especially those in a similar MOS or occupational field, because in all honesty I'm a nervous wreck already and things are barely getting started. I'm somewhat terrified of being found fit for the simple fact that I have been in 10 years, have been dealing with back issues for 6 1/2 of that, have pushed myself and tried multiple times to get back to a solid full duty status and stay in, but my body just can't handle the physical aspects of it anymore. My current diagnoses are spondylolisthesis lumbar region, low back pain unspecified, and other spondylosis with radiculopathy lumbar region. Everything started in early 2016 with an injury during unit PT, would flare up a little on occasion, but has worsened significantly over the last 3 years or so to the point that the last two years have been nearly constant chronic pain and radicular symptoms. I haven't ran a PFT or CFT since 2019 (mix of COVID and my command on recruiting duty letting light duty go a lot longer than it should), need to use a cane at times due to the weakness in my left leg during significant flare ups, and can't even stand duty at my unit because of that. Sorry for the novel, but I wanted to provide enough relevant info for those that respond. I know I'm in for a long road ahead, and no one knows what the PEB's decision will be until they make it, but I'm just doing my best to get the slightest idea of what may or could happen so that I can plan for mine and my family's future.
I've been a lurker on the forum for a week or so now and have been reading through a lot of info which has been valuable. To provide a little background, I'm an 0679 (Data Systems Administrator) in the Marine Corps and found out about a week ago that I am going to begin the IDES process and be referred to the PEB as MMSR-4 denied my request for a 3rd limited duty assignment and has directed those referrals. I feel like I have a solid handle on how the overall process works as I have done a significant amount of research into it and read through the official guidance/policies themselves. The main thing I am looking for is if anyone else with similar issues could provide any guidance/insight based on their experience, especially those in a similar MOS or occupational field, because in all honesty I'm a nervous wreck already and things are barely getting started. I'm somewhat terrified of being found fit for the simple fact that I have been in 10 years, have been dealing with back issues for 6 1/2 of that, have pushed myself and tried multiple times to get back to a solid full duty status and stay in, but my body just can't handle the physical aspects of it anymore. My current diagnoses are spondylolisthesis lumbar region, low back pain unspecified, and other spondylosis with radiculopathy lumbar region. Everything started in early 2016 with an injury during unit PT, would flare up a little on occasion, but has worsened significantly over the last 3 years or so to the point that the last two years have been nearly constant chronic pain and radicular symptoms. I haven't ran a PFT or CFT since 2019 (mix of COVID and my command on recruiting duty letting light duty go a lot longer than it should), need to use a cane at times due to the weakness in my left leg during significant flare ups, and can't even stand duty at my unit because of that. Sorry for the novel, but I wanted to provide enough relevant info for those that respond. I know I'm in for a long road ahead, and no one knows what the PEB's decision will be until they make it, but I'm just doing my best to get the slightest idea of what may or could happen so that I can plan for mine and my family's future.