Broke my ankle, what now?

[lawsokevin]

I broke my ankle in early Jan. and am expecting to hear back from the board in early Feb. I don't know what to expect with a broken ankle, I don't even get my cast off till Feb. 14th. The doc said that if I start OCS in august I'll have had enough time to get back to running and swimming as much as I was before.

My main concerns are being able to run in physical and getting the break signed off by the Navy doc. Has anyone had any experience 1st, 2nd, or even 3rd hand with this?

Thanks for info.

 

[SynixMan]

I had a broken wrist, not a huge issue. Make sure your recruiter knows, as it will probably delay you getting to MEPS and passing. They'll want to see that it's fully healed and you're 100%.

 

[twobecrazy]

You could also put your availability date as August so you will have time to heal completely before you go to OCS.

 

[BusyBee604]

BrokeAnkle!

Has anyone had any experience 1st, 2nd, or even 3rd hand with this?

Similar situation (55 years ago) but still applies. I'm a Crewman on a Submarine, two weeks prior to deployment, in mid-June '56 I break my ankle playiing softball on Ship's team. Also, I had been approved for flight training (NAVCAD Program), just awaiting orders to PNS. I was fitted with "walker cast" and could get around OK, but I could not go to sea with a cast. The SUBRON transferred me to another Sqdn Boat undergoing overhaul in drydock while awaiting orders to PNS. I was able to perform all my military duties with no probems, even could even drive a car (automatic).

In mid-August, received orders to report for PreFlight by 15 Oct., provided I passed a flight physical. Went TAD to NAS Quonset Pt. RI, and passed the physical (with special emphasis on the ankle), no problem.
NAVCAD preflight then was on a par with OCS militarily and physically, the major difference was our classroom courses were mostly aviation subjects. We had Marine DIs just like today. I never had a problem with the repaired ankle in flight training, nor have I in the years since.:icon_tong

So... right at 4 months from ankle break to first day of preflight! BTW, it wasn't just a little crack either, it broke on a slide into 2B, and my teammates all said they could hear the "snap" from the bench!sst_125:
Hope this gives you a bit of optimism?
BzB

 

[feddoc]

BTDT, sorta. I broke my ankle in 75 or so. Docs sent me home, no cast. Went back the next day, they said it was sprained and casted it for 6 weeks. Don't EFF around with taking care of it. Follow doctor/therpist orders. I didn't and ended up paying for it years later.

I broke my ankle in early Jan. and am expecting to hear back from the board in early Feb. I don't know what to expect with a broken ankle, I don't even get my cast off till Feb. 14th. The doc said that if I start OCS in august I'll have had enough time to get back to running and swimming as much as I was before.

My main concerns are being able to run in physical and getting the break signed off by the Navy doc. Has anyone had any experience 1st, 2nd, or even 3rd hand with this?

Thanks for info.

 

[SC-NY-88]

Just be sure to inform your recruiter. MEPS will want full documentation and proof that there are no lingering issues, so make sure you're 100% before MEPS. Other than that it shouldn't be too much of an issue, just adds time to the wait, like its not long enough already. I wouldn't worry, sh!t happens and Big Navy knows that so just heal up and get back into shape ASAP and you shoud be good. And tell your recruiter! Good luck.

(No first, second or third hand experience, just my $.02)

 

[jmcquate]

I had what I thought was a bad sprain a month before PLC Jrs. During week three my ankle gave out on a run. Turns out it was hair-line fracture not a sprain. I was re-cycled back the following summer. That was back in 84' and slots weren't as competitive as they are today.

Wait until you are 100% before you go.

 

[lawsokevin]

Thanks for sharing your stories. It sounds as though I won't be put out to pasture just yet, which is what I was afraid of. I should hear back from my recruiter in the next week and I'll be sure to give any else who may have any question a final post so you can have something to read. ....I really hope this all works out.

 

[lawsokevin]

I called my recruiter to get the scoop on when I'll hear back from the boards and asked him about my broken ankle. He said that when we hear back from the boards that we have 3 months to get everything together and for final selection. However, they can't do anything with me until they get a six month check up on my ankle declaring it "okay". So if i get in this time, I'm not in and I have to wait three months to try again. SUPER! I'm going to go meditate and try and trace back where this karma is coming from. Hope this helps someone else at some point.

 

[Lucy]

Harder it is to get something the more it pays off generally. Karma is big picture. Rest up and just think, if you get a yes now will likely mean a yes later.

 

[MGoBrew11]

While I understand what Lucy is saying, don't necessarily take that for granted.

Is there a way to make it known to the board that the only reason you did not get final selected was for something medical?

The only reason I say this is that recruiters have told me that if you get pro-recommended but don't do anything about it, designators will likely not pick you up in the future. They figure if you passed up on the opportunity once, why are you applying again?

This is somewhat speculative and $.02 from a guy that is only in the beginning of the process as well, but consult very carefully with your recruiter and get a few opinions if you can; that is, if you are going to forge ahead and submit this time around.

 

[Lucy]

From my understanding if a reason comes up that is beyond your control they look favorably on resubmission. But true, shouldn't take anything for granted. While the 90 days is the rule, there are also people who have been extended beyond that, even recently. Take Feb-May(likely hear back date) and that is 4 months so you might be within the normal 90 days, or just on the outside of it, so maybe an extension would be reasonable.

Good luck!