Exactly as Hanson had promised her, he sent in the referral to the base medic for Aubree to be evaluated for medical discharge because of her PTSD attacks that were happening a lot and yet, she wasn't telling anyone about it except Hanson. Aubree didn't want any of her friends knowing about her mental suffering, or she was trying to get out of her contract in the military because she honestly couldn't handle it anymore. Hanson urged her to be truthful with the others, but she didn't want to tell them until everything was settled and she was out for good. Hanson understood but at the same time, with Aubree not telling them meant he also had to lie and keep the secret of what she was going through. Hanson wasn't even telling Thatcher, Ella, Ricky, Nikki, or Vincent about what Aubree was dealing with and that sucked for him because he typically didn't have secrets from his team.
Three days after the referral went in, Aubree was summoned to the medic for evaluation, and it wasn't easy for her as she broke down a few times during the story of how it started, talking about her nightmares, the bad thoughts. The evaluation was about three hours long, and when Aubree came back, she got something to eat and went to sleep for the rest of the night. Hanson managed to learn that the medic had agreed with him that she wasn't stable to handle the military and now it rested on another section of doctors to determine the same for her to be discharged for medical reasons. It was another week before Aubree had to go to a different location for that eval and it lasted longer than the first one. Aubree returned and was very upset; she only wanted to talk to Hanson after it was over.
Now everything was waiting on results of that evaluation to see if Aubree qualified for medical discharge. Aubree mentioned to Hanson that the doctors who did the testing told her that it would a bit and sit tight for the final decision. It had been four days since then, and Hanson got word from Major General King to come to the office with Aubree. To both of them, that meant the results were in. Aubree and Hanson took their dragons to King's office because it was faster and they loved being in the air, Hanson noticed that she was calmer and more relaxed in the sky. Landing at the office, they left their dragons in place and walked to the door.
"Hanson, I'm scared," Aubree admitted.
"Everything is going to be okay. I promise," Hanson assured her as he knocked on the door.
"Enter," came King's voice. Hanson opened the door and let Aubree in first, then himself before closing the door and them offering the Major-General a salute in respect. "Do you know why you two are here?"
"Yes, sir." Hanson and Aubree nodded to him.
"About two weeks ago, Sergeant Hofferson, you went to your CO, Lieutenant Colonel Haddock and revealed you were having a lot of trouble dealing with the deaths you saw on the battlefield, also that you admitted to having suicidal thoughts and made an attempt to harm yourself. Is this right?" King asked.
"Yes, Major General King," Aubree replied.
"You were offered to receive help and refused with the admittance that you could no longer handle being in the military. Also correct?" King inquired.
"Yes sir," Aubree responded.
"I have here the results of your evaluations from the referral that your CO made for you to be seen, and they have reached a decision," King informed holding up a folder with her name on the tab. "Before I read this, I should advise you that you were promoted before the evaluations took place and it was to be announced when the tour ended. All that aside given this, you, Miss. Hofferson have reached the rank of Sergeant First Class. Haven't seen anyone jump levels that fast except Mr. Haddock over here," King stated.
"Promoted? What for?" Aubree questioned.
"You were brave to stay back with your CO in your injured state to allow the rest of the soldiers in the team to get away safely. Anyway, as for your results," King began as Aubree was confused, she didn't agree to stay back with Hanson? That decision was made when Thatcher got shot, and Hanson freaked out about not getting his friend help fast if they all tried to take the chopper together. Aubree glanced at Hanson as he told her with his eyes that he would explain later. "Are you ready for your results?"
"Yes sir, I'm ready," Aubree told him firmly with a nod.
"Referral made by Hofferson's commanding officer. Lieutenant Colonel Hanson Haddock Haddock's reference stated that Sergeant First Class, Aubree Hofferson came to him in privacy to reveal that she was not handling individual deaths from the battlefield well, also admitted to feeling depressed with suicidal thoughts and an attempt at self-harm. Also, Hofferson confided to Haddock that didn't want to remain in the military anymore. Haddock's notes said that Hofferson was suffering flashbacks and severe nightmares to the trauma, his diagnosis was PTSD. As her CO, he felt Hofferson was no longer mentally stable enough to continue her duties and was requesting an evaluation to determine eligibility for medical discharge from the military." King read off.
Aubree understood how the referral worked now, Hanson had to say his professional opinion on what transpired that day when she revealed all those things to him, and he had to put it in words to get them to accept the referral and take her in for evaluation.
"First assessment lasted two hours and done by Jennifer Caldwell in Infirmary Eval, room two. Hofferson was truthful in admitting to feeling depressed and suicidal, broke down during talk of the flashbacks and nightmares of close friends dying, then dreams where she saw worst fears realized. Breakdowns consisted of crying, holding herself, and begging for it to stop on the ground. The eval had to be stopped a few times to allow her time to collect her thoughts and then continue. Results of medical evaluation; Hofferson is not mentally stable enough to remain in the military, suffering severe PTSD. Actions that should be considered; Medical Discharge." King paused a moment to make sure Aubree was alright.
Hanson noticed that Aubree was looking down sadly, it was like she didn't want to hear everything during the evaluations. "Permission for Hofferson to be seated, sir?"
"Permission granted," King said as Hanson helped her into the chair and handed her a bottle of water that was in his pocket. Aubree took a few sips and looked back at the Major General.
"I-I'm okay," Aubree managed.
"Second evaluation was performed by PEB doctor; Ashton Geers in room one and lasted five hours. Results of all tests show that Sergeant First Class, Aubree Hofferson cannot continue her military career without the risk of a complete breakdown and leading to self-harm or suicide. Our findings reveal that any more deaths will set her over the edge and she will hurt herself. Severe PTSD is confirmed and treatment required, Action to be taken; Full Medical Discharge from the military." King placed the folder down on his desk and looked at Aubree. "There is one week left of this tour, Sergeant Hofferson. Until you touch boots down in the Archipelago, you are removed from all missions, guards, and fighting. You will remain in your barrack under the command of Colonel Haddock. Effective May 1st, 2010, Sergeant Hofferson, you will be medically discharged from all military service and required to turn in all gear and guns. You are free to hold onto one ACU and your class A," he added.
"So she's out the day after we get home, fully?" Hanson asked.
"Yes. I highly advise you, Sergeant Hofferson to get yourself into counseling for the PTSD," King told her.
"I will, Major General King. Thank you," Aubree replied.
"Good. You two are dismissed," King informed, Hanson helped Aubree up, and they saluted King before leaving the office. Once outside, they moved beside their dragons as Aubree sighed heavily.
"I know what happened in those evals, but it sucked to hear it back," she muttered.
"I know, but hey, you're out now. Well, you will be in a week when we get home," Hanson offered a smile, but Aubree wasn't having it. "Aubree, it took a lot of guts to come to me and admit everything you were feeling and more to tell medical professionals the same thing. You wanted to be out, why do you seem so upset about it?"
"I feel like a coward, a weakling for wanting out. To say I'm medically discharged because I couldn't handle seeing death? I feel almost ashamed of myself," Aubree admitted.
"You're not a coward or weak. There is no shame in what you did. I can tell you from my eleven years here, that the military is not for everyone. They think anyone can do it until they see friends dying, then it's not so great anymore. It takes a lot to be here and see everything you do. I've seen hundred of friends get killed over the years, Aubs, and they don't get any easier over time. Me, I'm just someone who can deal with a lot, and I don't bury anything that hurts me. I might take a few days of solitude, but I'll open up and talk, and that helps me cope," Hanson told her.
"I guess, I just feel like I'm letting my Mom down. This was always my dream, and now it's a nightmare that I wanted to get away from," Aubree closed her eyes.
"You're not letting her down. Want to know why? Because above anything else, your Mom just wants your happiness and safety, Aubree and I think she would be very proud of you for recognizing when you've had enough," Hanson smiled, and Aubree looked at him, a smile coming to her face.
"I don't know how you do it, Haddock, but you always make me feel better. Thank you," Aubree stated.
"I thought that's what you loved about me?" Hanson chuckled a little as he hugged her then let go, "Come on, let's get you back the barrack so you can rest." Aubree nodded as they mounted their dragons and returned to the Alpha Wing barrack and said nothing to the others. Aubree would reveal it after the discharge was final when they were back on Berk.
(Berk; A Week Later)
After reaching Riddari Airfield at six in the morning, they couldn't even relax as they had to unload things. This took most of the day seeing as they flew through the night from Afghanistan. At 4:30 pm, everyone was preparing to say their goodbyes until June's drill weekend since as it was right now, they all had two weeks off to recover from the eighteen months in war. Aubree decided it was time to tell them.
"See you all in June!" Sylvia called to them.
"You want to tell them now?" Hanson asked Aubree after she had whispered it to him to keep everyone there for a second, Aubree nodded to confirm. "Soldiers, before you leave to enjoy your two weeks. I'm asking you to stay a few minutes extra as Aubree has something she'd like to say before you go," they all remained put and looked at Aubree who was nervous. "All yours, Aubree,"
"U-Um, I just want to say thank you to everyone for being amazing friends to me since I joined three years ago. And also, I won't be seeing you here at Fort Riddari anymore for drill weekends," Aubree said as everyone gasped.
"Oh no. Did you and Hanson get caught and their moving you to another island?!" someone asked from the back as Hanson glared.
"Zip it, Oliver, or drop and give me fifty right now!" Hanson yelled.
"Sorry!" the person called back as everyone was waiting for Aubree to explain.
"Some of you may have noticed that the last few weeks I was distant and distracted while wondering if I'm okay. Well, I'm not. That mission where I had to watch six people get killed in front of me, I didn't handle it well. I started having flashbacks and nightmares about it; I got upset and depressed. Almost hurt myself once but stopped and decided to talk to Colonel Haddock. I admitted to him that I didn't want to be in the military anymore," Aubree trailed off looking at Hanson, and he understood what she was asking of him.
"As of tomorrow, May 1st, 2020, Aubree is medically discharged from the Berk Military. After several hours of evaluations, she has been deemed mentally unstable to continue her duties," Hanson announced as most widened their eyes, some gasped.
"But Aubree, it was your dream..." Raelyn said in shock.
"It was, now it's my nightmare, and I can't do it anymore. I saw how Hanson got when Thatcher almost died and I just...I never want to go through that, seeing it first hand again. I can't handle it guys so with Hanson's help; I got myself medically discharged after being diagnosed with severe PTSD," Aubree informed.
"You...helped her get discharged?" Thatcher asked.
"Yes, after Aubree came to me and told me how she was feeling about things, I referred her to MEB who sent her to PEB and with all that information, it was confirmed she can't handle this anymore and to avoid a complete breakdown, she was discharged," Hanson told them.
"Aubree isn't the only one leaving," Grant suddenly said. "When my three years is up in June, I'm done too," he added.
"Me as well," Eli stated.
"And me," Franklin put his hand up. "Some people can't handle it once they see what it's like. I don't want to see what I did over the last eighteen months again,"
"As soldiers and friends, we will stand by their decisions and support them. Isn't that right?" Hanson called out.
"Sir, yes sir!" they replied.
"Good, now it's been a long couple of days. Everyone go home and rest up, enjoy the two weeks off. See you in June for drill," Hanson told them. "Dismissed!" he added as everyone began to break off. "Come on, I'll fly with you home," Hanson offered to her.
"Thanks, Hanson. You're the best," Aubree smiled to him as they mounted their dragons and headed towards Aubree's house. Hanson dropped her off, they shared a kiss and hugged before he left and returned to his father's house where he was tackled by his children and a big hug from his father. Finally, things were right with him home and holding his kids who he had not seen since November 2019. It was a good feeling to have everything be as it should be.
