HEY ALL!
I'm back! I been through hell the last 8 months. Basic training, then off to Infantry Training Battalion in North Carolina. I was originally trained as an 0352 (Anti-Tank Guided Missile Man) then also crossed trained as an 0331 (MachineGunner). I graduated at the top of my class in both 9 week courses and was set on being promoted to Lance Corporal.
Right before the end of training we were doing a cadence run and I was called out to lead the cadence. As I was running and calling it for some reason I don't know why I fell and stopped breathing. After waaay too many visits to the Navy Hospitals and all that BS ( DONT EVER GET HURT WHILE IN THE MARINES! ) I ended up being diagnosed with uncurable VCD. Or, Vocal Cord Dysfunction. Basically under too much stress my vocal cords swell and close up over my windpipe and I pass out. Now it's not just yelling, but stress in general they said. I was discharged Honorably and given an impossible to get back in reenlistment code. So basically they kicked me out for life.
Most of the time Medical discharges take months and months to get and are usually fought out. I got mine in a few days over 1 month. Note: I have also had 3 of 9 Anthrax vaccines while I was in training that you get before being shipped out. Each time I got the vaccine up to a week after I had severe reactions. Swelling of the location, very sore, red spots and I had some toruble breathing I noticed. They told me it was normal. BS. But you can't argue too much with officers, plus I didn't want to get in trouble and lose my upcoming meritorious promotion. So it ended with me fainting and getting kicked out WAY too fast. Even some of my command fought for me to stay in, but the big cheeses I never met once told me I am out.
Not too sure what to do at this point. I will be looking into the Anthrax vaccine and hopefully getting some compensation from the Vetrans Affairs office.
Well thats my story to date. If I could do it again, I most definatly would. Besides all the BS that comes along with the Marines where they lie to you all the time... I really liked it alot. I learned tons about alot in this world, including how to hit within 3 inchs of my mark from 500 yards away in wind, rain and cold, WITHOUT a scope. 9 out of 10 times. I value everything I've done, and hope that maybe one day I can get back in.
This Canadian Marine actually shed some tears when he was in front of his Captain, being told he's out of the Corps.