I ship for Fort Benning in exactly 1 month for an 11x option 40 contract, however I just got back from a visit to a sports medicine doctor who told me that I what I thought were simple shin splints that would clear up in a few weeks is actually a stage one stress fracture. My doctor says that I need at least 3 months to heal my shins back to full and that I should postpone my ship date. My recruiter is currently on leave for another week, when he returns should I tell him that I want to push up my ship date? Would it be possible to keep my contract if I did push up my ship date? Has anyone here ever run into similar issues or problems? I tried using the search function but couldn't find any solid information. Sorry if this question seems silly, I've actually been ramping down my training tempo over the last month in an attempt to avoid injury so this is pretty frustrating.
DEP Shipping dates and injury
- Thread starter LargeBird
- Start date
Always let your recruiter know about injury and recovery times, do not be surprised if you are pushed back more than the 3 months your doctor expects for recovery. do not be surprised if you have to go through a huge rigamarole at MEPS to get cleared after recovery. Have the diagnosis and treatment plan available for your recruiter or his/her boss when you go back to talk to next week - let them know immediately, do not wait.
Overtraining injuries are a beast.
Overtraining injuries are a beast.
Will do, I have the doctors diagnosis and treatment plan and I'll bring it to my recruiter the moment he returns from vacation. I'm just worried that this will result in a medical waiver and disqualify me from my current contract. If it helps my chances of succeeding at RASP I'll take the time to heal and jump through any and all hoops I have to.
Get it to his boss today or Monday at the latest, do not delay this, it will look bad for you. Your recruiter's boss can take the hit for any delays caused, get ahead of your recruiter, or you may lose your contract.
You can forget about RASP if you ship to Basic with a stress fracture. If you somehow make it through Basic then Jump School will shred your leg.
I'll go today and see if I can't talk to the head of my recruiting station, I went yesterday and there were only 2 people working (instead of the usual 8). I know my recruiter and the head of the future solider program are out on leave, hopefully the head recruiter is there. I'm worried though that if I talk to the head recruiter that she'll instantly mark my packet as me being unable to ship for my contract. As it is I'd rather rest the next month and take my chances with my current ship date than lose my contract.
The doctor wrote in his diagnosis that its a "Fredricson class I stress fracture", and that it's still in its infancy. In an ideal world I'd give it all the time it needs to heal, but if I lose my contract waiting the extra 2+ months, what's the point?
The doctor wrote in his diagnosis that its a "Fredricson class I stress fracture", and that it's still in its infancy. In an ideal world I'd give it all the time it needs to heal, but if I lose my contract waiting the extra 2+ months, what's the point?
The point is that you undertake the hardest evolution of training you have ever experienced, with the only unmeasurable aspect being your intestinal fortitude.
Roger Ranger Psych, I only meant that if I take this time to heal and as a result lose my contract then I will have defeated the purpose of my recovery. I'd rather be a hurting soldier than a healthy civilian.
As an update, I just went to my recruiting station and everyone is still out, but I learned they should be back Monday. So Monday I'll go back. One of the other recruiters there seemed to give the vibe that it's just tough luck, and that I should focus on running form for the next month but still ship with my current ship date. I am aware that my running form is pretty jacked up, and I have been working on correcting my form and raising my running cadence which should help to prevent future running injury. In the mean time if I can't change my ship date without losing my contract I hope that my regiment of icing, stretching, resting, and anti-inflammatory will help me ship in a better condition.
DocIllinois
Verified Military
FWIW, be careful what you wish for here.
There are currently few interventions and conservative treatments that are well supported if your condition progresses or complicates, which can eventually include bone marrow and cortical issues in worst case.
Your level of hurt and recovery time now will be nothing should those further issues come to pass. As @Freefalling has mentioned, OSUT/ ABN/ RASP, etc. are not designed to be good healing environments.
From what you've described there will be greater dividends in listening to your doc, IMO.
Roger that, I'll be going on Monday to talk with my recruiter and his boss. I'll try to delay my ship date if it's possible. Would anyone happen to know how common/possible it is for DEP ship dates to be delayed? I've heard some people say as long as you ship within 1 year from your signing that you can keep your contract, but I've also heard people say that you instantly forfeit your contract and ineligible for any contract you've previously accepted and failed to ship for. I want to be a Ranger more than anything in the world, I've been trying live the creed and the no-surrender mindset. I'm just worried that delaying my ship date will cause me to lose my shot at RASP and being a Ranger forever.
You will not heal, you will become more injured, and you will end up in a job and unit you don't want. Basic will break you more. Airborne will probably be where you falter, and if you suck it up and are lucky enough to have your limping missed by cadre, you will get destroyed by RASP.
Roger Ranger Psych, I will request my ship date to be delayed as per my doctors advice. When I originally enlisted the recruiting station I went through made it pretty challenging to get my 11x option 40 contract, it took me about 6 months to actually get the contract. What should I do if they refuse to delay my ship date for my current contract?
I don't know, other than you have a verified stress fracture, and that going into anything, nevermind selections down the road, with a preexisting injury doesnt let you put your best effort out.
I delayed my DEP ship date due to doing something to my knee. Had to RICE it daily, but I shipped at 100%, albeit civilian 100%.....
I delayed my DEP ship date due to doing something to my knee. Had to RICE it daily, but I shipped at 100%, albeit civilian 100%.....
D
Deleted member 2517
Guest
So I was diagnosed with stress fractures during basic and was recycled after going home for a month of con leave. The doc said that I probably shipped with the beginnings of stress fractures (I was 225, fat and still running 5-6 miles every other day, not a good combo). They got worse during basic, as the boots they issue are dogshit. If the recruiter Won't work with you, find another one. If they try to take your contract after 6 months of work then tell him to eat shit- never leave with anything you don't want. You're still a free man until you ship and can do what you want. So fix yourself, heal up and don't ship unless you're still able to go with an op 40.
Roger that Rangers! I will go on Monday and tell them that as per my doctors advice I will be delaying my ship date for healing. I was worried that having any kind of medical issue would disqualify me and prevent me from keeping or picking up a new option 40 contract, but hearing that it is possible fills me with hope. Even if I have to jump through more hoops at MEPS I know its nothing compared to the challenges that lay before me, 100% and then some!
For crossthread reference, this is pretty much what will always happen if you show up to a selection with a preexisting injury of any sort that isn't a permanent thing you are used to, have trained with for years, and can continue mission with proven results.
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