I’m in AIT and working on a hardship discharge because my wife has a serious medical condition that’ll need surgery and a long recovery. I’ve been working with GI rights counselors, and we’re also involving my state senator’s office to expedite the process. My graduation date is October 4th, and I’m wondering what happens if the discharge isn’t approved by then. Would they keep me as a holdover, or could they still send me to a duty station? Anyone dealt with something like this before?
I think they’d probably keep you as a holdover until it’s resolved. Moving you to a duty station might complicate things more.
Bryn said:
I think they’d probably keep you as a holdover until it’s resolved. Moving you to a duty station might complicate things more.
Yeah, that’s what I’m hoping for. I’d rather not have to transfer everything over to a new command.
Bryn said:
I think they’d probably keep you as a holdover until it’s resolved. Moving you to a duty station might complicate things more.
Makes sense. Have you submitted the paperwork yet?
@Kari
Not yet. We’re waiting on a specialist to provide a written statement about her condition and recovery. Should have it by Wednesday.
I’ve heard these can take a while. Did they give you any timeline for the discharge process?
jurisnest said:
I’ve heard these can take a while. Did they give you any timeline for the discharge process?
The GI rights counselor said it usually takes 4-10 weeks. Hoping to have it done by late October.
jurisnest said:
I’ve heard these can take a while. Did they give you any timeline for the discharge process?
4-10 weeks sounds rough. Did you get anything in writing about expediting it?
@Dru
Not yet, but my senator’s office is involved, so that should help push it along.
If you’re really stressed, maybe consider talking to behavioral health? That might help your case too.
Uma said:
If you’re really stressed, maybe consider talking to behavioral health? That might help your case too.
I was wondering about that. Would it hurt my case if I told them how much this situation is affecting me mentally?
@Sage
No, it’d actually support your case. Mention how it’s impacting your focus, appetite, etc. They’ll take that seriously.
@Sage
Totally agree. Behavioral health is there to help you, not work against you.
Once they approve your discharge, do you know how long it takes to actually leave?
Jess said:
Once they approve your discharge, do you know how long it takes to actually leave?
From what I’ve been told, it could take about a week after approval to get everything finalized.
Jess said:
Once they approve your discharge, do you know how long it takes to actually leave?
A week? That’s not bad at all. Just curious, what do you do in the meantime?
Jess said:
Once they approve your discharge, do you know how long it takes to actually leave?
A week? That’s not bad at all. Just curious, what do you do in the meantime?
Mostly signing papers and going to a few meetings, but they haven’t updated me on much else yet.
What happens if your discharge takes longer than expected? Would you still have to keep training?
Drew said:
What happens if your discharge takes longer than expected? Would you still have to keep training?
Probably, yeah. My commander said I’d keep training until further notice, but it feels pointless right now.
Drew said:
What happens if your discharge takes longer than expected? Would you still have to keep training?
Sounds frustrating. Have you tried following up to see if the timeline can be sped up?