Leaving Active Duty Marine Corps
I have been out for 25 years this year and I’m sure, no, I hope that the military is taking care of those that are leaving active duty and moving on.
I’m not talking about the 4 hours of TAPS class (Transition Assistance Programs), I’m talking about making sure that you have your six covered.
When I left, I snagged a copy of my medical records and my SRB, but not everyone is lucky enough to grab a copy of those. I can tell you without any doubt that the copy of my medical records helped me greatly with my VA disability claim process.
I haven’t really needed my SRB yet, but I would still recommend that you grab a copy if you can.
When I was in, there was a Gunny, who was telling everyone that would listen about making copies of your records. He was also stating that they needed to be certified copies, which isn’t actually the case.
For the VA Disability claim process, they are accepting copies of my records and they are not certified. I do not trust the official archives as for me, they could only find a few pages and most were useless.
Here is my list of things that you will want to do when you leave. When I say leave, I’m talking that you are out for good.
- Copy your medical records, don’t forget the reverse side of each page.
- Make sure that you have your MEPS physical and your exit physical, including, optical and hearing tests.
- Make sure that you have a copy of your SRB.
- If you are planning or hoping to get a job that is related to the Military or Government, then you will want the following information for your SF-86 paperwork to get your security clearance.
- Your supervisor’s contact information
- Contact information for at least three co-workers and friends
- Your DD-214 and DD-215 (if there were any corrections to your DD-214)
- A copy of your resume. Make sure that your SNCOIC and senior enlisted look it over. You will change much of it when you are looking for civilian employment, but having all the right buzzwords already in your resume will help.
- Copies of any disciplinary records against you (NJP, Court Martial)
- If you are married, make sure that you get copies of all medical, optical, and dental records for your spouse and children.
- Don’t forget the pets, some military installations have veterinarians, if yours does, make sure you grab a copy of those records too.
Notes: When you do your exit physical, if it hurts, or if it was injured, then make sure that the doctor examines it and annotates it on the physical paperwork. If it isn’t listed, then it will be more difficult to get the VA to pay for it. Report all medical, dental, optical, and mental concerns.
Notes:Â Sometimes, Psychiatric records are not part of your medical records. If you had sought mental help while on active duty, then please take note and make sure that you obtain those copies as well. The same applies to drug and alcohol rehabilitation records.
I wish that part of the TAPS class was someone from the VA, handing out paperwork to get everyone leaving Active Duty, registered with the VA, and starting the disability process. Instead, the VA hopes that you forget that you have benefits.
