Seeking clarity: IRLO / Code 37 vs PCS during ADAPT and ongoing medical issues

[part13]

I’m looking for guidance on a confusing IRLO / MEB situation and conflicting PCS guidance.

Background / timeline:

• 16+ years active duty
• Longstanding mental health care over my career (over 12 cumulative months)
• Worsening fibromyalgia, insomnia, GI issues and chronic pain I have had on and off since 2018
• Hip pain and functional issues after wearing a medical boot for about 2 months, now in active physical therapy
• Increased mental health visits and documented relapse risk under stress

ADAPT:

• 11 Aug: self-referred to ADAPT
• Experienced severe alcohol withdrawal leading to a 3-day hospitalization
• Returned to ADAPT outpatient
• Recommended for and completed a 30-day residential treatment program in San Antonio
• Continuing ADAPT with no relapse

Medical / administrative:

• Mid-October: told my record was sent to AMRO due to mental health history
• No formal briefing or notification after that
• Later discovered by checking my IMR:
  • Code 31 (ADAPT)
  • Code 37 (MEB/PEB PCS deferment)
• Informed I am in IRLO status

PCS / DEROS issue:

• DEROS changed from Nov 2026 to Feb 2026 suddenly
• Notified on 31 Dec while actively in ADAPT and ongoing medical and mental health treatment
• First Sergeant states PCS is still possible during IRLO and that Code 37 does not explicitly stop PCS
• My understanding was that Code 37 and IRLO generally defer PCS pending determination

Questions:

Any regulations, DAFMANs, etc on getting more familiar would help as I feel I am in the dark here. I’m trying to understand the process.

 

[Provis]

I’m looking for guidance on a confusing IRLO / MEB situation and conflicting PCS guidance.

Background / timeline:

• 16+ years active duty
• Longstanding mental health care over my career (over 12 cumulative months)
• Worsening fibromyalgia, insomnia, GI issues and chronic pain I have had on and off since 2018
• Hip pain and functional issues after wearing a medical boot for about 2 months, now in active physical therapy
• Increased mental health visits and documented relapse risk under stress

ADAPT:

• 11 Aug: self-referred to ADAPT
• Experienced severe alcohol withdrawal leading to a 3-day hospitalization
• Returned to ADAPT outpatient
• Recommended for and completed a 30-day residential treatment program in San Antonio
• Continuing ADAPT with no relapse

Medical / administrative:

• Mid-October: told my record was sent to AMRO due to mental health history
• No formal briefing or notification after that
• Later discovered by checking my IMR:
  • Code 31 (ADAPT)
  • Code 37 (MEB/PEB PCS deferment)
• Informed I am in IRLO status

PCS / DEROS issue:

• DEROS changed from Nov 2026 to Feb 2026 suddenly
• Notified on 31 Dec while actively in ADAPT and ongoing medical and mental health treatment
• First Sergeant states PCS is still possible during IRLO and that Code 37 does not explicitly stop PCS
• My understanding was that Code 37 and IRLO generally defer PCS pending determination

Questions:

Any regulations, DAFMANs, etc on getting more familiar would help as I feel I am in the dark here. I’m trying to understand the process.

WOW! Sorry I missed this one. Send you some reference for a consultation. I would consult a private IDES Attorney to get their thoughts. However, I think code 37 means no deployment and full IDES. That would mean no PCS. If you don't want to consult with a private IDES Attorney I would reach out to JAG.