Let me start off by saying I am person of strong faith, raised by the old fashion leather belt, morals, values, & respect. My son enlisted in the Army at age 17. I'll never forget him walking across the parking lot with his back pack as I dropped him off at the recruitment station where they were to be bussed to Miami for swearing in ceremony the next day. He scored a 94 on ASVAB and wanted to do a full 20 yrs in the military. He caught an pneumonia in basic, and during the final phase exercise sprained his ankle in the woods so bad he finished an 18 mile ruck wearing an ankle brace. I was proud of my little warrior and he hadn't even seen any action yet. He went on to Airborne School and was assigned to 1/325th PIR at Bragg. Then the drinking began. He found his buddy dead in his barrack from choking on his own vomit; that experience sobered up my son permanently. He witnessed 13 of his brother and sister service members killed in Kabul and traveled tens of thousands of miles from home. God always brought him back safe even when his main parachute failed in a training exercise and he landed in a tree unconscious. Unfortunately that would be the end of his military career. Due to injuries sustained from that incident, he retired on 100% disability. He tells me, dad I feel like I'm 60. He's only 24. These are the sacrifices these men and woman make for our freedom, every single day. If you are one of them....thank you; your service & your sacrifice will never be in vein.

This Country owes men like your son a debt that they can never repay. Some of us also served and we remember why. Thank you for sharing.

How is his transition out going? Be there to support him. Mine was dark. Still drink more than I would like.

I'm glad your son doesn"t need to start out fiightng the VA for his rating. I am waiting on my Decision Letter as we speak, I hope the VA ratings nightmare does not come true for me.

Not nearly as banged up as he is. But I found a chiropractor and a PT work with me to get my mobility back. Helped with the aches and back locking up.

Thank the young man for his service.  So sorry to hear of this.  It amazes me that young people in this day and age are still willing to write that blank check to uncle sam.  God bless him.

You raised him right.

Having a good support system with family and friends will definitely help the transition. I didn't have any support when I medically retired in 1996. At that time most people my age never even served in the military let alone in combat. I found more support by talking with Vietnam vets than talking to any VA doctor.

Tell your son. Thank you for his service. I only lost one friend while serving. The sacrifice they make can be life changing.

SPC
USA