My husband is a 9 yr TSgt in the AF and has his formal board coming up around the 6th of Sept?? We have kind of been given a date but still have had ZERO contact from any personnel from Lackland. No legal, no exact date, no nothing. We have made multiple phone calls and sent many an email and still nothing. We are 3 weeks out with no contact, is this normal? He wants to stay in and we are fighting to get that outcome. History of 1 seizure in March 2011 at end of short tour in Korea. No other known medical issues. Passes PT test with 90's. Is on anti-convulsant medication due to standard of care following a seizure, 2 years on meds in the norm. Everyone on board, AF med personnel, his Neurologist, his PEBLO are all shocked that he wasn't a fast track return to duty. What do we do from here, what can we expect? Any and all advice would be great. I am a scared wife and want to help and support in any way possible. Thank you in advance.
** In panic mode **
- Thread starter TheGoodes
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Jason Perry
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Yes, it is normal to not hear from anyone. The AF brings members to Lackland for a week normally, which is designed to give members time to meet with counsel before they schedule the formal hearing. (This is a better practice, I think, than the Army and Navy that bring in people for 2-3 days total and usually you meet the day before the hearing). However, this can still be not enough time if you need to gather additional evidence (because it can be hard to get evidence while you are at Lackland).
When I have a case, as civilian counsel, I call and set the formal hearing date before I travel, so we have a locked in date. With military counsel, you have to wait until you meet with the attorney and then they set the hearing based on their schedule and available slots for hearings. I just called today to set a hearing date and learned that they are moving offices (in the same building, but nonetheless, they had to move phones/internet, etc.,) so they have had communication issues.
When you say "everyone" on board, what about his command? I would think that if the commander's letter is not clear and strongly recommends retention and return to duty, that would be something to work on- getting strong recommendations. The higher up, the better- Wing commander, General officer support, etc. Also, evidence of successful duty performance, EPRs, awards, etc.
Good luck!
When I have a case, as civilian counsel, I call and set the formal hearing date before I travel, so we have a locked in date. With military counsel, you have to wait until you meet with the attorney and then they set the hearing based on their schedule and available slots for hearings. I just called today to set a hearing date and learned that they are moving offices (in the same building, but nonetheless, they had to move phones/internet, etc.,) so they have had communication issues.
When you say "everyone" on board, what about his command? I would think that if the commander's letter is not clear and strongly recommends retention and return to duty, that would be something to work on- getting strong recommendations. The higher up, the better- Wing commander, General officer support, etc. Also, evidence of successful duty performance, EPRs, awards, etc.
Good luck!
Thank you for your insight. He does have very strong recommendations from his commander and everyone he knows and has contacted that he has worked under/for. He has Firewall 5's on every EPR since his career began and has many awards. He just passed another PT test yesterday. We have printed out all of this information and are collecting all character letters as of now. Is there anything else we can do on our end? Apparently the wing med commander sent a letter at the beginning stating that he strongly believed he should be fast tracked return to duty and that was knocked down fairly quickly. Everyone has been so supportive and positive during this ordeal and every time another negative comes across there is a gasp and silence around the room. We also have letters from his doctor on base as well as his Neurologist. Thank you so much for your time in replying to me, it eases my mind a little knowing that not hearing anything at the moment is normal.
Have a wonderful weekend and thank you for the insight!
Have a wonderful weekend and thank you for the insight!
Once your husband talks to legal, they will try to talk to the PEB board Doc prior to the formal board and get a fit for duty without going to the formal board. A letter from his doctor would be the best help. When I went to the formal board that's what we tried. If his condition is stable and the doctor and the command supports him then he should be fine(fit for duty). That's how mine end up(fit for duty), but my case was for cervical fusion too. Best of luck.