I last heard something from the PDBR back in early Aug. they stated about3-6 months more before I hear anything. I figured I would reach out and see if I am close or if my timeline has slipped again. I did email them and almost two weeks no answer. I emailed again and no answer. Sometimes DOD servers will block outside emails so I used my dot mil email address. No answer. I emailed again today and put a delivery receipt and read receipt in it. This time I tweeked the email. The email I had, vand know it has worked in the past but the website shows “PDBR” being capitalized. Worth a shot. Within 30 minutes from sending it and I received read receipt. No reply but it was midway thru the day. PDBR seems to be radio silent. My docket number is in 2017 and getting really frustrated with their processes.
PDBR Radio silent
- Thread starter ShadyBadger4u
- Start date
Welcome to the forum. I know it is frustrating when they don't reply. It used to irritate me at times. Anytime within a couple of weeks of any federal holiday, always seemed to impact responses in my case. I would prepare yourself now, the waiting game does not end once the PDBR makes a recommendation. Each branch of service has a wide range of timelines. I waited close to five months just to hear from the Navy that they retired me after the PDBR recommendation. Some in the Air Force Waited over a year. What I did/do was try not to think about it. Focus on the other areas of my life, family friends, church. However, sometimes no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't stop obsessing about it. What branch were you in? Hang in there. Best of luck!
Prior to this past month, I have only asked for one prior update and it was really quick reply back to me. I know they are reading my email (now) but not getting a response. I was AF for 9 yrs. Congrats on your retirement. That is the outcome I am hoping for. It’s like purchasing a lotto ticket and not knowing if you won for 2-3 yrs later.
Thanks! it is still all so surreal. I wish you all the best! That is probably one of the best analogies I have heard about the PDBR. In the whole process, the hardest part for me was knowing a reccomendation had been made, and I wouldn't know it for months.
John
Same here. I used to email once every 6 months and they would get back within a week. Then when they said my case was taking abnormally long for the records gathering I pinged them a month later, waited a month, no response and pinged again. Today after two more weeks no response.
I keep my messages short and to the point.
Something tells me there is not a team devoted to this. I dropped an email to one of our senators to maybe kick this in the butt. (Wishful thinking)
I keep my messages short and to the point.
Something tells me there is not a team devoted to this. I dropped an email to one of our senators to maybe kick this in the butt. (Wishful thinking)
If you don’t mind me asking, what year is your docket? Just wanted to see how long you have been waiting. I did receive a phone call from someone at PDBR today. I am just waiting one more signature and I should know something. Who knows what that timeline will be.
I am sorry to hear it, Hopefully they are gaining traction coming out of the Holidays, and you will hear soon!
John
I don't mind at all it is, PD-2017-036XX. If you want more specific, let me know. That's great news! One step closer to an answer!
John
You got into the system a few months before me (2017-55XX). I figured the wait would be long but not this long. Hoping the long wait is good news.
A while back, when the waiting was killing me, I did some math sampling the CY15 and 16 on the Air Force Board sites. I mean, as in serious Man to the moon kind of math. I don't remember number, but there were to themes that stuck with me. The larger the PDF file on the site, the more likely it meant retirement. The longer from submission to recommendation, had some bearing on approval. In other words Veteran Joe Sailor submits to PDBR after medical separation for bad hearing one month after boot camp. Joe Sailor had documented bad hearing prior to Navy. PDBR is short because they feel Joe Sailor entered with bad hearing, that only slightly worsened in 4 months of boot, and the write up is small the wait is short. On the other hand there is Veteran Joe Airman 12 years of service. Joined into the crypto field learned a couple of foriegn languages. 09/11 happens. Now Joe Airman leaves Montana, and goes to Bad Combat Country XYZ because their foreign language skills. Experiences PTSD, TBI, from IED and when he returns to Montana, Joe Airman is struggling hard with PTSD and physical injuries from bad combat country XYZ. He/She is afraid to say anything, starts showing up late, self medicating, and they medically separate him/her for ankle arthritis, and he/she was found 70% VA three months after separation. Joe Airman's write up takes research and time and lots of words to explain the AF was bad but not BAD 10 years ago, and they are sorry, and Joe Airman is now retired. Does that make sense?
I am tracking what your saying. I am kinda hoping the wait means something but I am trying not to read too much into it.
No worries, mine is May 2017.
I received an email from PDBR stating my package was ent onto SAF’s Designated Decision Authority (DDA). It says I should receive a decision within 90 days. At least I know there is movement. The phone call I received last week basically said the same thing but the email provided me some reinforcement. Hurry up and wait is the military moto.
My docket is also 2017.. I just received an email from them saying my recommendations was forwarded to the DDA of the Army. It's a long time coming. I wish they would've told me what the recommendations were.
I emailed the PDBR again to see if they would give me more information on my recommendations and a point of contact for the Army's DDA. If anyone knows the point of contact for the Army please post it! I would really appreciate it.. tried to find it on the forum. Also, can anyone tell me what is means when they say it was forwarded to the DDA for approval?
I believe the DDA is the last step in the process. Sounds like in your case the Army (designates person) will agree/disagree with recommendations. I am not an expert on this by any means.
I found Mr. Al for the Army, his contact info in another thread is quoted below. I believe he is the point of contact at the Army. It is my understanding from reading others, it goes to him at some point when it is forwarded to the Army by the PDBR. Good Luck!!!! DDA is some acronym like Director Decional Authority, in your case the Secretary of the Army.
Once they told me my case was taking an unusual amount of time I worried that they lost it. 6 weeks after that I get an email that I went into the adjudication phase. I had the mindset that if I check in every 6 months that would work. Perhaps you have to keep them on their toes? I don't have high expectations but it is nice to know that after 2 years and 7months of waiting for my file to move it made it out from under the pile. Hurry up and wait.
Can someone answer this question for me. If your going the the ABCMR process and they sent it for a medical advisory opinion, what agency handles that is it the PDBR? I can’t get an answer from ARBA on this question. My case number starts with AR2017. It’s been awaiting the advisory opinion nearly a year in of itself, just getting frustrated
Wldra66it, I would answer your question if I could. Does anyone know timeline after the Air Force DDA signs recommendations? I was hoping to get paperwork a week, week and a half but that has come and gone. Any PDBR experience with this?