Medical discharge after a auto accident that required back surgery. Married with kids.
Well, there's all kinds of good news for you. The first is ~ that if you're getting medically discharge, the first thing you need to do as soon as you're discharge is to make an appointment with you local VA rep. And, then make an appointment with your local VA Hospital for a medical evaluation.
Having done so, whatever disability rating you got from whatever branch of the military you're in ~ the VA will most likely "up" it. If you can get a 30% or better rating ~ then you're a "Disabled Vet"
Once you've gotten that classification ~ the VA will jump head over tails to get you re-trained into another field. They will literally pay for your books, fees, tuition, and any tools that you may need to complete your course of instruction ~ and what is more they will pay for your children's college tuition. etc.
Once you're discharge also go to the local Employment office in your state and ask for an appointment with the VA rep. Veterans have a harder time finding a job once they get out ~ and so the Federal Government gives money to the states, to program finding us jobs.
The good news is that 80% of the jobs out there DON'T require a 4 year degree! They do require more than just a high school education. You've already have that by virtue of having done 15 years in the military.
I don't know what your medical limitations are, but at age 33, a college degree probably isn't the way for you to go. Unless you have severe physical limitations and capacity. You need to talk to the VA rep, the VA hospital, and the VA rep at the employment office to determine what your limitations are, as well as your options.
I assume that you're being medically retired ~ and if not ~ you need to get an attorney, and fight it tooth and nail!
If you are, you've got all kinds of good things going for you, you've still got commissary and PX and Space A privilege. You've got TriCare and Delta Dental privilege ~ compare to the cost of civilian health and dental coverage ~ this is worth a good $6000 a year or more.
You've also got the GI Home loan ~ which you need to look into.
Don't let them put you out without being medically discharge ~ and they will if you let them! Fight it each step of the way! They owe you for those 15 years!