Originally posted by EternalOne:
Quote:

I agree with you, E1 on multiple points. I too would return to duty today if the military would have me back (no pun intended).



I believe many Marines would be willing to go back in, if given the chance. Its part of the Marine Corps pride, which is taught during prac tests in boot camp. To this day I still have a USMC flag and an American flag hanging on my wall in my living room, and they will always be there.

Quote:

I've met Antonio in person, and I've known him through this board for years; I don't, for even a second, think he was part of the PussyPlatoon.



Well, I cannot speak for the other services, but there is only 3 things an injured recruit can do in the Marines.

You can be sent to MRP, where you will work on rehabilitation of your injury, and then return to a different platoon once you are well.

You can be issued a PEB and medically discharged with full benefits (rare).

Or you can cry and hope one of your DI's says, "I don't want this whiner in a foxhole next to me, send this [censored] home."

When I was in boot camp a kid came out of MRP that had been injured 4 times, including two broken bones, and stress fractures. This kid had been in boot camp for close to 2 years, but he toughed it out and you know what, he graduated with me, as one of my squad leaders. He is now serving in Iraq with honor.

Now THAT is commitment!

E1



E1, you and I are on the same page in most respects. More so than Antoino and I, at least as politics go. I don't know what the circumstances of his exit or injuries were, but one point I would make is that there are 2 primary types of PEB's (actually CEPB - Central Physical Evaluation Board) EPTE or DNEPTE, where the condition is determined. Those conditions are 1) Existed Prior to entry and 2) Did Not Exist Prior To Entry. There is a third, which I'll not muddy the waters with. In the EPTE scenario, it was my experience that these were 90% whiners wanting out; "Ouch, my P---- hurts, send me home." 10% are legit and the rigors of Basic/Boot can bring out or exacerbate a condition that would legitimately render a recruict unsuitable for active duty.

The second classification is typically assigned for an injury which occured as a result of service. These people are/were not whiners, they got hurt and the CEPB decides thier fate. There is an appelate process (Demand for Formal Hearing), but these are rarely reversed, at least they weren't in the late 80's. It was, apparently tough to override decisions made by at least 2 Naval doctors holding the Rank of LCDR and above.

I'm well versed here as I have a service connected disability (CPEB determined 10%) with full benefits, that is the result of active duty (Member status 3, Active Duty MARCORPS). I, unfortunately, meet your above descriptor as that (rare) case.

Things are probably different if a member is still in Recruit training, which is Antonio's case.

In any event, I stand by my original sentiment, I wouldn't classify Antonio as an "Ouch, my P---- hurts, send me home" guy.

Mark
Again, Semper Fi

Sorry for the long post - I'm bored

Semper Fi "They've got us surrounded. Poor bastards." -Chesty