Anyone else dealing with military MEB and split request denial?

I’m currently in the National Guard and going through a MEB. I’ve coordinated with my commander and submitted documentation from my provider stating a 6-month break is crucial for my mental health recovery. But my commander keeps denying my split requests, acting like my provider’s letter doesn’t matter. It’s super frustrating… anyone been in a similar situation? What should I do?

Ugh, that sounds rough. I had a similar issue a while ago. My commander was refusing to take the medical advice seriously too. I ended up going over their head and asking for an administrative review. It’s a bit of a process, but it worked for me!

@Adi
What’s an administrative review? Never heard of that before… how does that even work?

Blakeley said:
@Adi
What’s an administrative review? Never heard of that before… how does that even work?

Basically, it’s when you request that a higher command looks over the decision. It involves submitting your paperwork and explaining why the decision is wrong. It can sometimes lead to a better outcome if you’re being ignored at a lower level.

I get how frustrating that must be. I’ve heard that contacting legal assistance in the National Guard can help with these kinds of things. They can guide you on your next steps and help make sure your rights are being respected. Have you considered that yet?

@LucasThompson3
I haven’t yet, but that’s a good idea. I’ll look into it. Thanks!

I think you definitely need to have a solid paper trail of everything. All your communications with the commander and chaplain could be useful in case you need to escalate the situation.

Ainsley said:
I think you definitely need to have a solid paper trail of everything. All your communications with the commander and chaplain could be useful in case you need to escalate the situation.

Yeah, I’ve been keeping track of everything. It just feels like they’re not taking it seriously. Hopefully, I can get this sorted soon.

So sorry you’re going through this. If you’re getting nowhere with the commander, you might want to reach out to the National Guard Bureau for advice. They could help you figure out how to get your request processed properly.

@Zan
That’s definitely something I’ll look into. I’ll keep you all updated!

This sounds like a tough situation. If you haven’t already, you should definitely talk to a military lawyer. They can help you figure out your rights and what steps to take next.

Frost said:
This sounds like a tough situation. If you haven’t already, you should definitely talk to a military lawyer. They can help you figure out your rights and what steps to take next.

I actually have an online chat with one coming up. Hoping it helps clear things up!