Sniper is Coming Home Permanently

Most of you that have followed this pathetic blog, know Sniper came home from Iraq July of 2006 and had a shoulder injury when he was WIA in May of 2006. Which he had surgery on March of this year. You also know Sniper has PTSD that has manifested itself to a whole new level over the last year. Put the two of these together, along with the other "wounds" that he has received over has last couple of tours in Iraq and 16 years of his life in the Marine Corps and it was inevitable, he was put on a PEB Board and being Medically Retired. Or so we thought....... For those who have never been thru the process, the DoD will review your injuries and give you a rating. The difference in rating's will either give you pay and medical benefits for you and your family for the rest of your life (aka Medical Retirement) or a severance check and send you on your merry way (aka Medical Separation). Sniper and I have had over the last few months lengthy conversations and played the what if games. What if the board comes back with this? What if the board comes back with that, do we fight it? After a very long and agonizing process, the PEB came back last week. He had 3 days to either accept what the Board gave him or ask for a reconsideration. After 16 years of giving his life to the Marine Corps. Sacrificing everything, himself and his family for our Country....He received a Big Huge "FUCK YOU!" It was NOT an easy decision, but Sniper decided to sign what he was given and come home. He could have fought it, but at what expense? How much longer can he endure the path he has been on? The process to fight it could take months or even years. Would the outcome change from where he is at now? What price would he have to pay to continue to fight it? The whole process has made me sick to my stomach. He has sacrificed so much and in the end lost everything. The DoD doesn't give a Flying Fuck about him or anyone else. It is just a bunch of fucking Politician's playing games with people's lives.... I am going to tell you a story of a 11 year old little girl who understands something the DoD doesn't. An Excerpt from her writing: "I decided to do this report on my Step-Dad. He is a Marine. The reason I did this report on him is because he never gave-up. He always persevered, even when he got blown up, got shot at and even got pepper sprayed in the eyes while he was fighting a guy. He persevered and kept going back to Iraq. Since he spilt his blood for our Country to be Free, he was awarded with a Purple Heart. As a Marine he was called, "Sniper" and that is because he handled a gun. Sniper was a fast and great leader. He was always serious and cared about the other Marines." This came from a little girl who knows and understands a hell of a lot more than most will ever know. Our kids are Proud of what and whom he is and that is what means more than anything the damn DoD can give us. I am too frustrated to write more, but I wanted to let ya'll know where everything is at this point. Sniper should be home within the next 30 days. Unless the DoD continues to Fuck with him. Dyzgoneby Sniper, I love you with all my heart. Soon this nightmare will be over and you can come home to heal. You can come HOME to start a new life with all of your family. xoxoxo Your Wife