1. Purpose.
This memorandum serves as the executive summary for my Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) submission. I am formally requesting a finding of Fit for Continued Naval Service - Shore Duty Only, and the invalidation of my 1-2026 and 2-2026 Body Composition Assessment (BCA) failures. The enclosed documentation proves that these failures were the direct result of an administrative breakdown in medical records, platform limitations, and command-induced lapses in a highly effective, prescribed medical regimen.
2. Documented Efficacy of Treatment and Lack of Safe Alternatives.
My prescribed treatment for Class 3 Obesity and prediabetes, Zepbound (a GLP-1 medication), was highly effective prior to execution of sea duty orders. My ambulatory vitals from November 2025 to January 2026 demonstrates clear and consistent weight loss. The treatment was initiated by Dr. Illinik and Dr. Johnson, who correctly classified me as DCAT-3 (titrating). There are no safe oral alternatives to this medication; Phentermine is contraindicated due to my hypertension, and Contrave carries unacceptable risks. Zepbound does not exist in a tablet form, making the refrigerated injectable an absolute medical necessity.
3. Administrative Chaos and Government Furloughs.
Between January 2024 and February 2026, my orders were modified five separate times due to systemic failures by the Enlisted Community Manager (ECM) and PERS-454. This period coincided with two major federal government shutdowns (Oct-Nov 2025 and Feb-Apr 2026), which furloughed my primary civilian detailing contact at PERS-454, Mr. Detrick Harmon. This civilian furlough created an administrative vacuum where unsuitability screenings were ignored or delayed. Original orders to USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) were administratively overridden in March 2025 after a 'force execution' letter from PERS-454 failed to reach my command. The ECM consequently attempted to change my ultimate activity to a shore billet at STU CENSECFOR DET CHESAPEAKE, but persistent system errors resulted in my ultimate activity being changed to USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78).
4. Good Faith Efforts and Systemic Medical Blind Spots.
Upon completing the required screening for CVN-78, HM1 Kirkland officially determined I was unsuitable for sea duty on September 18, 2025. When the ship's Senior Medical Officer, LCDR Jepsen, confirmed the ship could not transport or store my Zepbound, I actively attempted to broker a resolution. On December 29, 2025, I formally requested LCDR Jepsen contact CDR John Morrison at PERS-454 per his direction so my orders could be safely diverted in light of Mr. Harmon's absence. Instead of resolving the platform limitation or contacting CDR Morrison, LCDR Jepsen instructed HM1 Kirkland to correspond with me. While at the same time a civilian MRI confirming an L4-L5 and L5-S1 disc extrusion failed to transmit to my military health record. Unaware of the L4-L5 and L5-S1 extrusion due to this systemic blind spot, Dr. Gonzalez inadvertently upgraded my status to DCAT-1 on January 8, 2026. Consequently, I was flown to CVN-78 on February 23, 2026, forcing me to miss a critical March 10 appointment specifically scheduled with Dr. Illinik, to figure out the proper procedures as Dr. Gonzalez was a civilian doctor and was unaware of military procedures in my case. Halting Zepbound treatment immediately prior to or while underway creates severe biological disruptions alongside significant long-term health and administrative repercussions.
5. 2026 BCA Failures as a Direct Result of Care Interruption.
Upon embarking, LCDR Jepsen acknowledged that Zepbound was not an elective medication and agreed to resume the treatment once back in port. Although stopping Zepbound does not induce classic chemical withdrawal, the clearance of the medication produces severe biological and metabolic repercussions within seven to fourteen days: resurgence of cravings and appetite. The pharmacological suppression of hunger and delayed gastric emptying cease upon medication withdrawal. Consequently, ghrelin levels surge, driving intense appetite spikes and persistent preoccupation with food that directly impair focus in operational settings. Weight rebounds; clinical trials confirm that abrupt cessation of tirzepatide triggers rapid weight regain, patients frequently regaining over two-thirds of lost mass within twelve months. This rebound occurs at up to quadruple the rate of standard diet-induced loss. The rapid reaccumulation of visceral fat causes an immediate increase in waist circumference as metabolic baselines reset. Discontinuing treatment leads to a swift deterioration of key clinical markers previously managed by the medication: Elevated Blood Glucose, patients managing prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes experience a sharp rise in blood glucose and A1c back toward baseline within weeks, reinstating systemic insulin resistance. Positive trends in blood pressure and lipid profiles depend entirely on active pharmaceutical therapy. Stopping the regimen drives blood pressure and cholesterol upward, a process further aggravated by the high-sodium diets and chronic stressors of shipboard life. Deploying aboard CVN-78 within the 5th and 6th Fleet AORs presents severe environmental demands that compound the biological fallout of care disruption. Upon returning to port, the resumption of my medication was crippled by the administrative process of Ship Board Medical and the PCS of LCDR Jepsen creates a break in the proper regimen of the medication. Recently it took multiple attempts by the shipboard medical team to submit the proper Prior Authorization (PA) paperwork, which TRICARE subsequently denied. Creating a 1.5 month gap between my 5mg and my 7.5mg dosage. It was not until October 13, 2026, that LT McCourt successfully reversed the denial. My October 6, 2026 official BCA weigh-in (recorded by the command at 226 lbs, 39.5-inch waist) is the direct, biological consequence of the induced lapse in care.
6. Clarification of Order Execution and Good Standing.
Any allegation that I 'refused to execute orders' between September 2024 and November 2025 is factually incorrect and unsupported by my official record. Enclosed is my Detachment Evaluation for the period of 03SEP24 to 15NOV25, signed by CDR M. M. Catalano, OIC of CENSECFOR DET CHESAPEAKE. This official evaluation contains zero adverse marks, praises my performance, recommends me for retention, and awards me an 'Early Promote' recommendation. An Early Promote evaluation serves as definitive proof that I was in good standing, maintaining accountability, and not in an unauthorized or insubordinate status during the adjudication of my medical suitability.
7. Operational Capability Despite Chronic Pain.
The January 2026 decision that cleared me to deploy was made without the knowledge of my L4-L5 and L5-S1 disc extrusion, forcing me to deploy with severe, chronic back pain. Despite this, I continued to perform my duties at the highest level. On March 12-13, 2026, I helped combat a major Class A fire aboard CVN-78 for 23 continuous hours, earning my third Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. I have proven my physical resilience, but the fleet has proven it cannot support my medical requirements.
8. Conclusion.
I respectfully request the PEB review the enclosed original medical notes, evaluations, and detailing correspondence. The evidence strictly dictates that my BCA failures are the symptom of interrupted medical care and administrative oversights, not a failure of discipline. I request permanent assignment to a shore-based billet under Permanent Limited Duty (PLD) to safely resume my medical regimen and complete my 20-year commitment.
Very Respectfully,
CHRISTIAN L. OFFLEY
MA1 (SW/AW), USN
