I started this blog in 2005 to document my deployment to Afghanistan. As a U.S. Navy Sailor deploying with a U.S. Army special operations unit I thought I might have some interesting tales to tell and experiences to share. I had a great time trying to keep the blog up-to-date and keep the military off my back about it. I had some good times and some bad, and even got in a bit of trouble for the blog, but over all it was well worth it, and the site has never been taken down, although it has severely dropped in popularity and readership.

The reason for the drop in readership was simple, once I came home in 2007, I had little to write about and little time to write it. So I left the blog neglected for long periods of time, not due to disinterest, but mostly due to limited time and limited subjects to discuss. But that all ends now.

You see, I once again have information to share. That is, after all, what this site is all about, shared experience. It seems, like all good things, it is time for my Naval career to come to an end. I have been on Limited Duty for over two years now receiving medical treatment for wounds I sustained while in Afghanistan. And I thought it may be useful and / or interesting for me to share my experiences with the Medical Retirement process. I can share a lot of insight on the Medical Evaluation Board (MEB), the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB), and the new Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) that the military has developed in conjunction with the Veteran’s Administration.

The process I have been going through is a long, rather daunting one. It can be confusing at times and it certainly requires a great deal of patience. I intend to share my experiences and my knowledge for those who may be curious or those who are currently going through this process themselves.

I do not intend to share personal details of my medical treatments, nor will I be able to say precisely what another person’s experience in the process may be, but I can share what my experience has been, and what I have learned.  So hopefully there is an audience who will find these new posts as interesting as an audience found my original posts from the war zone (which shall remain up). I will share my stories of not only working my way through this complex system, but also with my own transition from senior enlisted career military man, to civilian. It’s a terrifying prospect, but it should be an interesting new mission.