Received a giant retirement certificate from the Marine Corps this past weekend. The package also contained an official “U.S. Marine Corps – Retired” lapel pin.
Turns out this is the same certificate even retiring generals receive.
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Received a certified letter last week from Bethesda. On July 15th, a Marine Corps Colonel and two Navy officers met in Washington, DC and determined that my “disposition be changed from temporary to permanent disability retirement.”
I sent in my acceptance yesterday, and sometime in the next 12 weeks I will be permanently retired!
Reported to Bethesda Naval Hospital as ordered for my the temporary disability retired list (TDRL) periodic physical examination (PPE) today. I was told to arrive at 7:15AM. As soon as I got there, I was checked in, and sent to the orthopedic department. After they took my vitals and a few x-rays of my hip, I was seen by a Navy Lieutenant Commander orthopedic resident. He asked me about my activities of daily living, pain, and plan for my hip. He then evaluated my range of motion and strength. After talking things over with a colleague, they decided that I’d never be able to be a Marine again, and that they would put in the paperwork for my permanent retirement. It’s still possible that the retirement board will disagree and I will have to report back to Bethesda in another 18 months, but hopefully not. I look forward to hearing their decision.
Received my first orders to appear for the temporary disability retired list (TDRL) periodic physical examination (PPE) this week.
I am to report to Bethesda Naval Hospital by the end of June 2010 to “determine any change in the condition for which I was placed on the TDRL.” As you may remember reading, those on the TDRL must be evaluated every 18 months in order to retain their pay and benefits. I’ll be scheduling my trip for the end of May, the only time I have off between Spring and Summer semesters. I’m actually looking forward to it. Unlike some civilian physicians, Navy physicians always appreciate the magnitude of my injury and seem to have a better understanding of my situation, though I’m not sure why.
I have some good news to report! The Post-9/11 GI Bill has finally come through. Last week I received a check for my housing allowance and books. The VA also gave NYU a check for $18,451 for this semester’s tuition. NYU kicked in the remaining $561 because they elected to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program. Certification isn’t automatic, so I need to do all this again next semester, but I’ve heard it gets easier. It definitely makes my leg hurt a little less knowing the government is paying for my education. Funny how that works.