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1,138 Responses to “Navy Recruiting Medical Waiver Process”
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Tom,
It is unlikely that any branch will give a waiver for lordosis/kyphosis above the standard of 50 degrees or scoliosis more than 30 degrees. The Army gives the most waivers of any of the services, so you might try them. The worst they can do is say no, which leaves you in the same situation you are now. At least you will know for sure, and can make other plans if needed. I wish you luck.By the way, you won’t have another MEPS physical. At this point, you need to find a recruiter who is willing to send up paperwork for a waiver review. Your MEPS physical is good for 2 years.
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Navydoc,
I went to MEPS a while back and was DQ’d for seeing a psychiatrist/psychologist in 2008 for anxiety. After MEPS my waiver request was rejected. I’ve been told it’s possible to compile more documentation and submit that to MEPS for a med read to see if they’ll reconsider the waiver.
I’m thinking of going back to the civilian docs I saw for this stuff to do some follow up and submit that paperwork to MEPS. Any idea if this is worth doing? Should I see a new doc too to get more opinions?
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Sean,
MEPS does not grant waivers. The service medical waiver authority for the service you are trying to join is the only entity that can grant waivers for medically DQ’d applicants. You can always request your recruiter send additional documentation up to the waiver authority for review.
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I am trying to enter the navy i have 3 conditions i worry about…..i am trying to enter the officer program is there a difference in requirements? Depression as a children and PPD after my children, endometriosis, and i have had migraines since a young age but doing very well and DO NOT take preventative medication.
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Mandy,
Your history of depression will require a waiver, as it is recurrent (because of the PPD). Endometriosis is no longer DQ, as long as you do not have symptoms. For the history of migraines, you cannot have required prescription medication for headache in the past 3 years.The medical fitness standards for both enlistment and commissioning are the same. The difference is in what is considered for waiver, with waiver more likely for officers if the service has a demonstrated need for your skill.
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Navydoc,
My son 22, soon to get his 4-year degree in business is trying to get into the navy, he got red-flagged for spine curvature—his lordosis was 57 degrees, apparently it should be 55 or less, everything else was perfect, this seems rather trivial to me since he is in great physical shape, no back problems, no medical problems whatsoever now or past, jogs 5 miles a day, swims daily, exercises intensely, his physical capabilities are above par and has perfect health mental and physical, yet he just received word that his waiver was not approved, any clues as to why and what can he do next? He seems very determined and won’t give up.
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Navydoc,
My mistake. But let’s say I’m submitting additional documentation to the waiver authority for review. Is there anything in particular that would be helpful, such as follow up evaluations, letters from the doctor, evaluations or letters from additional doctors, etc.? Thanks
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Kat,
The medical fitness standards for lordosis, kyphosis and scoliosis are quite generous (30 degrees for scoliosis, 50 for kyphosis and lordosis), and therefore anything above those is very unlikely to get a waiver. Such excessive deviation of the spine can become problematic with heavy upper body loads (think body armor, packs, etc), and historically, recruits with these conditions are not successful. If the Navy denied the waiver, he can try another service, but waivers are very rarely granted. -
Sean,
Without knowing exactly what the DQ and waiver denial was for, it’s hard for me to make recommendations as to what further info the waiver authority might consider. Often, on the wavier denial letter, it will say something like “further consideration may be made if the applicant submits…”Bascially, for mental health problems, the waiver authority (and CMOs for that matter) like to see all treatment notes, start and end dates of medication use, and outstanding functioning (school, job, personal life) off of all therapy and medication for several years.
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Navydoc,
Thank you for the fast response, the medical regulations for all the branches say that for lordosis greater than 55 degrees not 50 as measured by Cobbs, since his is 57 degrees is that not consisered mild not excessive, to say the least, he has no issues with upper body loads whatsoever, can he keep submiting waivers with additional info, should he get new x-rays? Since there are no others issues this seems odd to me, thank you.
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Navydoc,
Thanks. I’ll try to get more information from my recruiter on the reasons for the waiver denial.
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I am 38 years old and interested in joining the Active Navy. Is there any way?
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Kat,
The regulation is 50 degrees or less of kyphosis or lordosis (page 44 of the DoDI 6130.03, which is the medical fitness standard used by the MEPS for all 5 services) measured by the Cobb method. Again, these limits are quite generous. Normal lordosis is in the 30 degree range. So while 57 degrees is “only” 7 degrees above the military limit, it is significantly more than average. That is why there are rarely waivers above the published standards, as they are quite generous.
The waiver authority is the final say for that service. If there is substantive new medical information, it can be helpful in the reconsideration of a waiver, but there are not a lot of waiver decisions that are overturned.
Accession medical fitness standards often do not make sense to non-military people, inlcuding physicians. However, they are based on experience with hundreds of thousands of recruits who successfully complete training and those who are medically discharged each year.
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Hello Navy Doc,
I have written before. In June I had a waiver approved for adjustment disorder. I am applying for the nurse corps, and the program recently closed for FY2012. I know the waiver is good for 2 years, but I am curious if you have insight on what happens when it expires. If I have not been picked up for a commission yet and need to have my physical and waiver completed again, will I have to go through the same process for the waiver approval as I did before? Or can I use all of the paperwork from my original waiver and have it quickly reapproved. I hope this makes sense. Thanks.
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Hello,
Im waiting to go to MEPS for the Air Force, When i was age 9 through 10, i took ADD meds, im now 20, and im currently working on a college degree, i havent had contact with my family docter since age 10, and she has moved away and we have no idea where to find her or if she is even still practicing, what happens if the documents cant be found?
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Navy Doc,
When I was born I had to have a blood transfusion because I was premature weighing 1 pound. I am now 28yrs old. I have had no current medical conditions would this DQ me? Also, I was dx when I was younger with ADD and took meds for that for grade and middle school.But, when I got to high school I stop taking it. I have graduated from highschool as well as recieved an associates degree with a 4.0 Gpa with no meds at all. Since it has been will over 15 yrs since I have had any meds ,I am okay to go ahead and pursue the navy right? -
NJ,
If your physical has expired, the waiver expires with it. You will have another physical at MEPS, and then the record is forwarded back to the waiver authority for another waiver. My experience is that the authority grants a waiver again without another speciality consult. However, keep in mind that waivers are given with regards to operational needs, so if the service is full of people who don’t need waivers, it is possible that they won’t re-grant it. Also, the medical fitness standards are ever-evolving, and something that is DQ now may become non-DQ and vice versa. -
Nikki,
A transfusion is a non-issue, as long as you didn’t have any problems from it. ADD records need to be reviewed, but as long as you weren’t on meds/therapy for more than 24 months after the 14th birthday, and have academic success off medications for at least one year, it is not a DQ. -
JB,
You will be expected to make every effort to produce the documents from your physician. Most states require records to be kept a minimum of 10 years, and most pediatricians keep them forever (the beauty of the computer age). If you cannot, the CMO at MEPS will make a determination on whether or not to let you physical, send you for psych, or other options. -
Well I’ve contacted every single possibilty, and the one that said they had them, they were destroyed due to no activity in the charts for over 10 years
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NavyDoc,
I was wondering if N3M will grant a waiver for TMJ. Thanks. -
Brent,
I don’t know. I have never seen a request for that DQ come through my office. -
NavyDoc,
I was rejected from MEPS after a psych consult because it was determined that i have Intermittent Explosive Disorder. But 2 psychologists, one of them being a former Army officer, have said after testing and interviews that i dont match a single trait of someone who does have that condition. What can i do to prove to the Navy that the first test was inaccurate and move to either get a waiver or even an appeal for a new test?
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hello im am charles berry 24 years old a hyothyriod guy. i am controlled by meds since 2007 i am 70 inches tall n 194 pounds.
i want to join any branch branch of service mainly air force do to easy basic training than army
i talked to a recruiter in ft leonard wood army wise. she sated that hypothyriodism is a dq due to meds not being allowed in basic training. i told her i work on the military base and see soldiers with meds all time in basic training even seeing em go to sick call
my hypothyiod levels are within range.
my thyriod is dead its under active dose of 175 mcg.
i can run jump n go 2-3 miles before i get tired of running
i show no tireness at all i even get up at 330 am to be at work by qm in the morning
i have a aa degree from college n working on me bach to
i have my records of my medical health regarding me thyriod condition.
i just want the chance to get em sent to meps to see my records to show cause (244) hypothyriod controlled is elgible for a wavier and do whatever it takes to get an fight for a wavier.
everybody says it is just a dq n no waviers are allowed yet i see trainys in basic with meds yet soldiers on active duty on meds foor the same conditions the meps in my area is the st louis one in missouri what do u supposed i do any help or replys would be greatly thankful for .
thanks for the service to our nation -
NavyDoc ,
About how long does it take for BUMED waivers to get back to join the marine corps ?
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reply to 12-3-11 2;14 pm
yea i talk to another recrutier as i said above im pretty much in the height n weight standards i just stepped on the scale 2 mins ago 189 yes
thats all i have is a well controlled hypothyriod meds make me euthyriod meaning normal thyriod uptake and output
since all branches are overstaff could that be a reason to not send med read to meps
i asked a army drill on ft leonard wood he said miliary is being strict on waviers atm -
Berry,
With the new instruction, history of hyperthyroid more than 1 year ago is no longer DQ, and hypothyroid with normal thyroid function tests from 6 months and 6 weeks ago is qualifying without a waiver.
Ask your recruiter to submit your records, as all MEPS are now using the new fitness standards and you should be good to go, as long as you don’t have other medical or legal issues. -
Raquel,
Once youre waiver request reaches BUMED it usually is answered within 2-3 weeks. Things are slowing down with the military draw down though. -
man or miss whomever said that u rock
thank u so much
i salute ya -
NavyDoc,
I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer last year and had an operation to remove one of my ovaries. Since then all of my test results have come back normal and was told that it was something that would not reocur by my doctor. Is this something I would need a medical wavier for in order to enlist int the Army? Thanks!
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Is mild rhabdomolysis a disqulfication in joining the Marines? I went to the hospital in 2010 with calf strain my cpk level was 16,000 now it is at 223 with is normal and I’m good and I have been going to the marine pool functions for 7 months
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Navy doc please respond I need your help I appreciate it
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Sylvia,
All cancers are DQ. In general, to be considered for a waiver, you must have completed treatment and been cancer-free for a minimum of 5 years. -
Rex,
Rhabdomyolsis is DQ and will require a waiver. -
Navydoc,
Could you please respond to my question (#25)? Thanks.
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Navydoc you said I need a waiver for rhabdomolysis but do to think I will get it or is it a permanent disqulfication
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Rex,
All waivers are for permanently disqualifying conditions. Termoparary conditions cannot receive a waiver. Submit your documents. I don’t know if the Marine waiver authority will grant it or not. With the military overmanned and drawing down, things that used to get waivers are less likely, because the services have plenty of peoople who don’t need waivers. However, there are some still being granted. -
Navydoc Becuase my diagnosis at the hospital was a false diagnosis I got my doctor to run a test And he says I dont have it and wrote a letter so I can give it to my recruiter with my test results that i did Becuase if I had that rhabdomolysis I wouldn’t be able to work out and run at the pool functions witch I have been doing for 7 months so with all my documents do you believe I still need a waiver or no please respond Becuase this has me worried and I can’t sleep I really want to join.
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Navydoc,
Just was curious Do you work at MEPS or are you a doctor also thank you for your help I really appreciate it thanks for your time
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Rex,
I am the Chief Medical Officer of a MEPS. Your diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis is PDQ. With your stated history of calf pain and an elevated CPK, your diagnosis sounds correct. Just because your CPK levels are now normalized, doesn’t mean the original diagnosis was wrong. You will need a waiver to join any service. -
Greg,
An unfavorable MEPS consult makes waiver extremely unlikely. While you can always submit more documentation, my experience is that the waiver authority relies heavily on MEPS recommendations. Psychiatric waivers, as well as other waivers, are getting less common, as the services decrease manning in response to the military drawdown and fiscal restraints. -
Navydoc,
Thank you for your help I understand I need a waiver how long do they take to get and I still didn’t go down to meps Becuase I am waiting for meps to okay me to go see them or give me the not okay , you the chief medical officer if you had documentation sent from a recruiter with the same issue I got would you of approved them to come to MEPs or no or for the waiver and also of you don’t mind me asking wat state are you the chief medical officer at
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Navydoc,
Also my bad is my case bad or alright Becuase I have nothing else it’s just that hospital visit from last year do you think I would be fine or should I stop trying I have worked hard for this -
Rex,
If I received medical records with the info you have posted here, I would PDQ you and ask the waiver authority from the service you are hoping to join if they will grant permission for you to process. Depending on the service, the waiver authority might take anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of months to respond. If you are given permission to physical at MEPS, you will still be PDQ, and once your physical is complete, it is sent up once more to the waiver authority for a final yes or no on a waiver.
Because of the changing tempo of recruiting, with services easily meeting recruitment goals with fully qualified applicants who do not need waivers, I cannot tell an individual person whether or not he/she will get a waiver for any particular service. I have seen waivers for rhabdomyolysis been granted in the past, but not for the Marines.
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Navydoc,
You said you have seen waviers being granted but not for the marines is that because no one from the marines had it or you mean they were disapproved
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Navydoc, NCCM, or whoever else can answer this…
I had a question… What are the chances of me getting into the Army if I have ADHD and have taken medication (Concerta) for it, but have been off it for a year (since October 2010) and got a doctor’s note stating how long i’ve been off the medication and am doing well without it, as well as my high school transcripts with all A and B grades? I’m 19 and got off meds my senior year of high school. I started taking them back in 2000. My recruiter and the station commander seem to think this is no problem at all, I should be fine without a waiver, and they said if I do need a waiver, they have never seen one denied for ADHD.
One more question. I had a tympanoplasty performed on my right ear drum back in July of 2007. I needed all the medical records for this, as well as a recent hearing test results and a tympanogram. Everything came back showing that my hearing is fine and that the perforation healed. However, about two weeks later, I got a call from my recruiter saying that they now also wanted a doctor’s note stating that everything is alright, and that i’m cleared to join the Military. The letter got written out by the people in the ear doctor’s office, but the doctor wouldn’t sign the letter because “he hasn’t seen me since 2007 and wants to see me”. That wouldn’t be too bad, but I had the hearing test done only two weeks prior, as well as the tympanogram, even though I didn’t see him directly. I could just set up an appointment to see him, but I no longer have insurance. I’ll have to wait 2-3 weeks for that, but my recruiter said he is going to try to send me up to physical anyway. What are the chances they will do this if I didn’t get that doctor’s note? I don’t see why I just can’t go up to MEPS for the physical, they will find out everything is fine up there anyway.
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Navydoc,
My son wants to join the Air Force, and was PDQ’d at MEPS in Sept 2010 on one medical issue that “does meet standards” according to the DODI 6130.03 and the AFI 48-123. We rebuttal through our Senator’s office in turn to the USAF Chief Congressional Inquiry Division. She found another issue in his defendant medical records that we rebuttal with the regulations. Finally on April 2011, she granted him to report to MEPS for a physical. In May 2011, he passed his physical at MEPS, and that package went back to the USAF Chief Congressional Division again. Meanwhile, they had another concern that was again rebuttal by us. Between Jun and Aug 2011 we don’t know what MEPS really was doing but shuffling their feet. Sept 2011, he was cleared of all three medical issues. Meanwhile for two weeks MEPS computer system was down and couldn’t verify my son’s ASVAB score, during that time his ASVAB expired. On Nov 7, 2011, he retakes it and passes with an even higher score. According to regulation AFI 48-123, a passing physical from MEPS is good for 24 months. The recruiter says his physical package may have to go back to the USAF Chief Congressional again because it’s only good for 60 days in cases such as these. My question is: Is there a 60-day expiration on physicals granted by the Chief Congressional or would my son just have a pre-screening done by MEPS? His next step should be a sworn in? Thank you.
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Navy Doc,
A long time ago, 1st grade, I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I saw a doctor and was prescribed medication. I have been seeing the doctor ever since, but since I was 14 I have only been seeing the doctor once a year to make sure everything is well. On my last visit The docotr (almost a year ago) said he believes my condition is gone and as I have matured it is no longer an issue for me. I am in the process of getting off of the medication and will no longer seek any treatment or use any meds for this problem as it is treated. I am now 19 and I talked to an air force recruiter who said that I must be off the medication for a full year before starting the process and at that point I would need a waiver for this condition. I know the process basically but since I want this very bad and am looking for some hope I was wondering, in your experience, what is the success rate of someone seeking a waiver for anxiety. My doctor is amazed at the progress I have made to the point where he believes the condition is treated. I will be able to provide full documentation, be off all meds, and get a glowing review from my doc. Is there a good amount or any hope for me? What is the likelihood of my waiver being accepted based on your experience. I know that you dont have all the info but I ask you to please based on what I said here tell me what you think. Will I be able to be an airman or not? Any insight is appreciated. Thank you so much.
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Brian,
You will need a waiver for the ADHD. If you have been treated with ADHD medication for more than 24 months after the 14th birthday, it is PDQ. You will need to submit your medical records of treatment and a copy of your transcripts showing academic success off of medication. Waiver is commonly granted for this particular DQ.You need to submit your record about the tympanoplasy because treatment for eustachian tube dysfunction within the past 3 years is disqualifying. You also need to have that release from your treating ENT, at least at my MEPS. I would not let you process without it. However, you can try at your MEPS and see if the CMO will let you process without the ENT release.
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Charles,
If you required medication or therapy for GAD for such a long period (from your post, it sounds like over 10 years), I think a waiver is unlikely. -
Navydoc,
Please respond to my post number 46 and also are you the CMO in California or Arizona
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Peg,
I am a little confused by your post. Congressional inquiries can only determine if proper procedures were followed; they cannot overturn a military regulation or standard. It sounds possibly if your son received permission to physical at MEPS despite a disqualifying condition and was then granted a waiver by the Surgeon General. If this correct? If so, the waiver is good for as long as the physical is good (2 years). I have never heard of something good for only 60 days, nor have I ever heard of the “Chief Congressional,” although I have handled many Congressional inquiries. If you want to expand on exactly what the medical conditions are/were, I may be able to offer more insight. Otherwise, your son will just have to hold tight and see what happens next. The Air Force is the slowest service when it comes to waivers or processing any type of paperwork. -
Rex,
I have already told you that your condition is DQ. Now you will have to wait and see if the Marines will give you a waiver. There is nothing you can do to speed up the process.
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Navydoc,
Alright thank you for your help I appreciate it and thanks for taking your time to come post here and help everyone thank you so much God bless you
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Navydoc,
I guess then it could be the AF SG?, her title is USAF Chief Congressional Inquiry Division on the letterhead. I am not sure if you have had heard of her Colonel Kelly L. Groggin? She sent a letterhead granting permission to proceed for an actual physical at MEPS. The AF liaison at MEPs said that was not a medical wavier. However, several months later either Col. Groggin or the CMOs cleared him of all conditions. A heart MVP without regurgitation. Mitral valve prolapsed (396.3) with normal exercise tolerance not requiring medical therapy DOES meet the standard. (He does exercise without problems). He had a stress test and an echocardiogram that is within his age group. MEPS physcian said he can’t even hear the MVP. Adjustment disorder. When he was 12 yrs old we moved off base in Hawaii, and the locals picked on him. His PCM suggested a child psychologist. He went for two visits. He was not an inpatient or took medication. History of a single adjustment disorder (309) within the previous 3 months, or recurrent episodes of adjustment disorders. This was almost 8 years ago, since then we PCS’d 5 years ago, and he has held 2 different jobs and graduated high school (No issues with other people or adjusting, doesn’t stick). Left varicocele. Left varicocele (456.4), if symptomatic, or associated with testicular atrophy, or vericocele is larger than the testis. It is none of these, and smaller than testis according to his Urologist. He was cleared. So, these 3 things were cleared by either CMOs or Col Groggin. I am unclear, is that what would be a medical wavier? Does it sound like it to you? He did passed his physical at MEPS, so if it is a medical wavier for those 3 things, then it’s good for 2 years.
Thank you for your help, I hope this isn’t confusing as I am.
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How do you go about getting the documents stating you are PDQ’d and why? My sons recruiter just said that after the psych eval he was PDQ’d with no waiver recommendation. When I asked him he said they probably wouldn’t release them to him.
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Peg,
From what you describe, your son does not need a medical waiver, so I don’t know why the SG was involved or what the 60 days is for. Sounds like your son needs to get better information from his recruiter. -
Sandra,
Your son needs to make a written request for a copy of his records from the operations officer (or designated information officer) at the MEPS where he processed. -
Thank you Navydoc for your advice. Much appreciate it.
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I am applying to the Naval Academy and was DQ’d due to a back injury in middle school that has sense healed and I was recruited to play lacrosse at Navy. Am I ok or should I look for a plan B?
DQ’d by DoDMERB but now I am trying to get on waivers.
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Trevor,
If you were DQ’d by DoDMERB, you will just have to wait and see if the Naval Academy will give you a waiver. There is no way to speed up or get around the process.
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Navydoc,
I’m 27 years old with a wife and young son and am hoping to create a better life for us all (my wife is the daugther of an active Navy EOD captain and misses the lifestyle as well). I have a bachelor’s degree and graduated cum laude and am in solid physical condition but still need to lose a few pounds to be within the weight requirement for my height (6’1). However, I have some concerns as I’m preparing to sign up. I had a benign birthmark removed from my back when I was about 6 years old; have sprained both ankles (which still crack); and have a disc protrusion in my cervical spine, which is the most concerning. This occurred while I was lifting weights some time ago and my back spasm’d. However, the pain subsided after a week and I never received any injections, therapy, or surgery. Based on my aforementioned medical consitions, are any of these barring from service in the Navy?
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Navydoc,
Sorry, but another question I failed to mention the first time. I also was having heart palpatations last December for a brief time priod that have subsequently resolved on their own as I’ve lost weight. They hooked me up to a heart monitor and found that nothing was wrong. Would this be something that I would need to produce records for or is it even worth noting. It was just a visit to my primary care physician and nothing ever came of it. I’m a bit concerned because it sounds like MEPS will DQ you for almost anything. Thanks for your help!!!
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Paul,
You will need to have your records regarding the heart palpitations and the neck injury reviewed. You will also be required to submit the pathology report from the birth mark removal.MEPS physicians will DQ you for having any of the disqualifying conditions that are listed in the DoDI 6130.03; that is their job. By regulation, you must meet the published medical fitness standards, or be granted a waiver by the service, in order to be medically qualified for the armed services.
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navydoc:
i was rear ended last week and have a stiff neck with limited ROM. my question is: how will this affect me at MEPS? i have all of the paperwork regarding this, but i have heard that whiplash injuries are a DQ. please shed some light for me.
thank you!
bob -
Navydoc,
Thanks for your response. Since I know now that I would be DQ’d for the neck injury and possibly heart palpitations, would it be beneficial to go back to the orthopaedist and my primary care physician to have “pre-emptive” reports written indicating that I am able to serve in the military? Or, would doing so be moot since the MEPS physicians will ultimately make the call. I’m not clear as to whether they take these outside reports from other physicians into consideration.
Again, thank you for your help!
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Paul,
Heart palpitations that have resolved will not necessarily DQ you. that’s why you need to submit records. Same with the neck problem–it will depend on what the records show. If MEPS needs more documentation, they will let you know. -
Bob,
You need to wait until your injuries have completely resolved (usually about 6 weeks for soft tissue injuries), submit your records and a clearance from your treating physician, and you should be ok if there are no residual problems after the recovery period. -
Navydoc,
You sure i’m going to need medical treatment records for my ADHD? I asked my recruiter about this, and he said he has never heard of anybody needing actual records, just a note from the doctor stating i’ve been off the meds for a year and am doing well, as well as my high school transcripts. I’m not doubting you or anything, just stating what my recruiter keeps telling me.
I had my recruiter send all my medical records for my tympanoplasty up to MEPS, but later they wanted a letter from my doctor. However, he requested a waiver so I wouldn’t need that letter.
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Brian,
I do not accept doctor’s letters, and require all actual medical treatment records. Other CMO’s may be more lenient, or more strict. -
Navydoc,
Hello Navydoc my name is John and I will soon be going to MEPS but I am nervous about the Duck walk I tried it at my house and I can bend down with no problems in the position but my left foot like the back of it would be up and not flat on the ground is this a DQ.
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John,
The orthopedic/neurologic examination (commonly known as the duck walk) is actually 24 movements designed to look for problems with balance, coordination, flexibility and overall function. Inability to do any of the movements may require further investigation, but inability to complete the duck walk, in and of itself is not DQ. The questions will be WHY you can’t duck walk (tight achilles tendons, poor thigh strength, abnormal range of motion of the ankles, extremely high arches, ect). Just do your best at MEPS, and the doctor will determine if you need any additional evaluation.By the way, most people don’t really know what the flat footed duck walk is, until it is demonstrated at MEPS. It is really a test of the feet, ankles, and ability of the hip to rotate.
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Navydoc,
Recently my son was PDQ due to a bakers cyst on his rt knee by Meps with applying with the USAF. They have sent waiver to Surgeon General but as pointed out in other posts waivers in a draw down mode a few and far between. It has been a few ( 2-3 ) years since this has caused any concern. Your advice?
Thank you -
Hello,
I was Temporarily DQ’ed because of high BPM at MEPS. I did what I was told and went to my substitute family doctor (normal doctor is on maternity leave) for the three days of pulse rate readings. After three days of almost normal readings, blood work (normal), chest x-ray (normal), and EKG (normal);I was referred to a cardiologist who conducted more tests with normal results. My only issue is that I keep getting a steady BPM of 101. I have been told that the Navy doesn’t wave tachycardia, but would it be considered with numerous tests that state I am healthy but have an extensively investigated, just barely faster than normal heart rate? Thank you for your opinion.
-Brooke -
Navydoc,
Is a “history of anxiety” (words used) disqualifying for joining the services? I was discharged from AFROTC for anxiety and was looking to get back in through OTS. I had the impression I could apply for a waiver after a year off of medication; my AF recruiter however told me that a Medical Discharge prevented me from applying. Is he correct and would I be prevented from applying for other branches?
Thank you.
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Mike,
Your son will just have to wait for the SG response. There really is no way to speed up the process. -
Brooke,
With your persistently abnormal heart rate, I doubt a waiver is possible. Ultimately, it is up to the waiver authority, however, and I have been surprised before. -
Derek,
Your recruiter is correct that you will be PDQ from all branches of the military. If you were discharged for a medical reason, you require a waiver to get back in. History of anxiety needs to be off all medication and therapy for 24 months. -
NavyDoc
Not really wanting to speed up process but is this waiver request from the SG actually possible. My son is already disappointed but if there is no shot a only a very low shot I want him to start focusing on other options for his future
Thanks -
Mike,
I see waivers granted every week, so waivers are possible. It all depends on the needs of the service. Even with the Air Force (which is the slowest branch) waiver decisions are usually made within a couple of months. Have your son call his recruiter every couple of weeks to find out what is going on with his packet.Keep in mind that if he has the Baker’s cyst treated (they are usually associated with meniscal tears), after 6 months, it is no longer DQ.
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Okay so I went to MEPS and was told to see a psychiatrist for a consultation. Why? The doctor thought he saw a ‘pattern’ in my scars I explained to him I was out shooting with some friends and I was being reckless and flipped my atv and landed in a bunch of can/broken bottles. I spoke to a consulate and Im nervous because I don’t think she believed me either the problem is THIS IS THE TRUTH I HAVE NEVER CUT MYSELF. Would it be better to just lie and say I did? Because I know they want to hear me say ‘Yeah I was young I wanted attention blah blah blah I was young and stupid etc.’ Please I don’t know what to do.
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Is a PDQ from the AFSG relevent to all branches of service. My son received a call today from his recruiter that his reponse from the SG was in and it indicates that he is PDQ from military service? Supposedly it was for disorderly conduct (due to his driving record). He did undergo a Psych Eval at MEPS since they were aware of his driving record. He does have a medical history that includes several ear surgeries and an intestinal surgery. Can he apply with another branch? Should he receive a letter giving the exact reason for PDQ?
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SDaniel,
Most physicians have training in forensic medicine, and are good at identifying intentional injuries. If I cannot get an applicant to admit self injury when my 25 years of training and experience leads me to believe that he or she is not being truthful(and I am very good at it, so rarely fail) I just document something like “based on my years of medical experience, these injuries/scars are inconsistant with the applicant’s stated history,” and forward it for waiver consideration. I do not accuse people of lying, and write word for word the applicant’s description of injury, and include a picture of the questionable scars up to the waiver authority. -
Herein MD,
If an applicant is PDQ from one service, she/he is PDQ from all services. Each service then has a waiver authority that can make exceptions to policy and grant a waiver, on a case by case basis, to allow service despite a disqualifying condition. If your son was not granted a waiver by the AFSG, he can try another service. Army and National Guard grant the most waivers. These waivers can be both for medical and moral issues; from your post, I cannot tell which one applies to your son. -
NavyDoc
What treatment would be required and what documentation needed to undo the DQ for the Bakers cyst if the SG does not waive the DQ -
Hello NavyDoc,
Thank you for all your information and insight. It’s an agonizing feeling to have to wait months for someone else to make a big decision in your life.
Fortunately, your posts gave me a little more hope, so I’ll do all I can do (wait, be patient, and prepare for Recruit Training as if I’m not seeking waivers), and hope that the doctors make a timely decision that is best for the Marine Corps and the military.
Thanks again for your willingness to help,
Samson Thomas -
Mike,
Your son should be evaluated by his orthopedic surgeon. If the orthopedist states that no treatment is needed, submit that to the SG. If the orthopedist recommends treatment, have your son get treated, and then resubmit records after comepleting the recommended treatment.
Note that I am not recommending your son have surgery just to get into the service. He should discuss any treatment with his health care provider and do what is medically correct, not what he thinks the AF wants.
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Should the eval be done now or wait for the SG to review the waiver request based on the current info sent this week by AF Recruiter
Will the AF recruiter be aware of this info?
Thank you -
NavyDoc,
I appreciate your response and your time very much, thank you.
I did not ‘admit’ to self harm because I did not harm myself nor have I ever. I even made the point that the scars on my back I can’t even physicaly reach to injure myself… I got a 99 on my ASVAB, and picked up that the psychiatrist was indirectly calling me a liar, and kept trying to get me to confess to something I did not do. Im honestly worried she said that her report would say (although she believed I was mentally fine) my mental health was ‘open’ I don’t know what that means. Would I have been better off LYING simply to appease them and say something like oh I was young and stupid?
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NavyDoc
Thanks for taking the time to read this. In the past I was bullied, and was depressed. They put me on Prozac and they have yet to take me off (even though I doubt I need it). Also in the past I was diagnosed with ADHD and they still have yet to take me off the meds because apparently my mom thinks I still need them (yet half the time I didn’t even take them.) Tomorrow I will be requesting to my doctor to remove me from the medications so I can join the military. Ive been on the ADHD sense elementary school and the Prozac sense 8th grade. Not sure why but they never removed me from the medication, and its pretty stressful knowing I probably wont be able to join the military, and because of finical problems college is not looking like a good option. I am a senior in high school, and I personally believe I never needed the ADHD meds in the first place, and the depression meds I should have been off of long ago. What are my chances of getting a waiver.
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Joe,
Given your long history of mental health treatment, waiver is unlikely. -
Mike,
Your son should wait for the SG decision. I realize that the waiting periods can be quite long, but that is the reality of the government. He should check in with his recruiter every 7-10 days to see where his paperwork is in the chain. -
Navydoc
This is sort of following up on the response, but does it make any difference if I am off the meds for years (lets say I go to college for instance), and my therapist currently says im fine (as in there is no need for concern.)
Anyway they just removed me from the meds on the record, he says that mentally though im fine, does time take in to consideration on waivers. -
Joe,
It is impossible to predict what will happen in the future. As it stands now, your history would make waiver very unlikely. Military accessions tend to go in cycles. As we draw down from the war in Iraq, the services are trying to discharge large numbers of people, and are being very choosy about new recruits because they can be. If there is another war, or some other reason for the military to once again increase in strength, recruiting standards may loosen up again and more people may get waivers.
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Navydoc,
Is there a timeline when the Air Force recruiter sends a pre-screening to MEPS? My son has already passed the initial physical there. He has done the pre-screen form a few times, and that they expire every 60 days. His recruiter says this pre-screening is just to make sure he doesn’t have any new body tattoos, piercing etc. Just wondering how long does it normally take for MEPs to look at the form and contact the recruiter. Also is the pre-screening expire every 60 days or not?
Thank you.
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Peg,
Pre-screens (the DA 2807-2) expire after 60 days. Once a physical is done, the only reason for a new 2807-2 is if there is a change in medical condition (broke a leg, had an appendectomy, etc), not something like a new tattoo or piercing. Those can be annotated on the 2808 (physical examination form) at the time of shipping out to Basic during what’s called the inspect. So MEPS only looks at the 2807-2 if it is submitted for a medical reason, and they have 5 business days to review and return it to the service.It sounds like a lot more is going on with your son than the typical enlistment process. For most, it consists of filling out the 2807-2 with the recruiter, taking the ASVAB, going to MEPS for the physical, picking a job and signing a contract, and shipping off to basic.
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Navydoc,
Yes, a lot has been going on with my son for 1 year and 3 mos with MEPs and the recruiter. If you have read my previous blogs on Dec 6 & Dec 7 it has been a long haul. He had the first pre-screen when he first went to the recruiter, and listed a possible heart murmur that PDQ’d him that led to fighting MEPS and the AF SG with regs. Last May, he was granted an actual physical at MEPs which he passed this past June. During the Summer there was confusion on what was going on. I think the CMO dug through his dependent medical records, and found two more disqualifying medical problems. We fought them with the regs. In Aug or Sept, someone either the CMO or the AF SG cleared all three disqualifying problems. He did another pre-screen after that. In Oct, while waiting for MEPs from the pre-screen, their computer system was down for two weeks, and his ASVABS expired. In Nov, he retook his ASVABS again and passed with higher scores. Dec 8, my son signed another pre-screen form. Today he called his recruiter to find out if he heard anything. The recruiter said no, and that with the new guidelines in place they are not allowed to call up to MEPs anymore, but the secretary can. So, next step, is waiting to see what the secretary can find out. My new question is: If he passed his physical this past June, and had his last pre-screen in Aug or Sept, and no other medical problems or changes have arisen since the last. Then why this pre-screen in December he had to do?
Thank you.
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navy doc,
hello sir i am currently in the process of enlisting into the air force. i was on adhd medication from ages 4 to 16 and have had success my whole life. graduated middle school and high school with an accumalitive gpa of 3.0 and played basketball for a c.i.f. semifinal playoff team and was the 6th man on the team. i bench press almost 300 pounds and i currently work with kids for an after school recreational youth organization. just talked with the psychiatry consultant today and he deemed me eligible with “no issues” . the unfortuante part about this is that arent really interested in my letters of reccomenndation or what i have done throughout my life. but i have had 3 part time jobs after high school which was 4 years ago and have never been fired. after being off the medication i am currently 22 years old. i have told the doctors at meps that i was always involved with my proms, homecomings and i have played sports my whole life but they arent innterested in that type a stuff. they do have my high school transcripts and they have a letter of reccomendation that i got from a chief master sergeant of the Air Force so hopefully this counts. i have been off the medication for “6 years” i repeat “6 years” so thats a good thing i assume. i have never been in trouble with the law i dont not drink nor do i smoke and i do not have tattoos. please let me know sir. i just want to put on those dress blues and represent the air force i am not only mentally capable but physically capable. please let me know sir about a possibility of a waiver and thank you for helping others out and for your service
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Joe,
Since you were on ADHD medication more than 24 cummulative months, you are PDQ no matter how long you have been off the medication and no matter how many letters you have saying you are ok now. Those are the regulations. Waivers are getting fewer and far between because of the current state of the military drawdown. All you can do is submit your paperwork and ask for a waiver. -
Peg,
Since I am not involved in your son’s case, I can’t comment on what exactly is going on. It sounds like your son has not yet signed a contract, is that correct? MEPS and the recruiters have considerable lattitude about who can join the military. While there are some things that MUST be physically DQ per the DoDI 6130.03, if a CMO feels there are issues that will interfere with military service, he or she can disqualify a person for any reason that can be rationally explained and defended, even if it is not written down anywhere in a regulation. I have done this in the past, where based on my over 30 years of experience with the military, I believe that an individual is extremely unlikely to be successful in the service due to a psychiatric or medical issue. Similarly, if a recruiter and/or recruiting command do not feel an applicant is a good fit, they have the discretion to not submit for moral/medical/tattoo/etc waivers.
Sometimes if a recruiter keeps asking for more and more paperwork, it is a “go away” tactic. I don’t know that this is the case with your son, but I do see it happen sometimes that when it takes an unusually long time and effort to get it, there is something about the candidate that is considered undesirable. Remember that military service is a privilege, not a right. I wish your son the best of luck.
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My Waiver was denied because of allergies but since then i have gone back to my doctor and i am now no longer allergic to anything. Can i try to enlist again?
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Navydoc,
You are correct he has not signed a contract yet. While it could be a “go away” tactic, we are not done yet, until there is a definite road block. So far we have been successful in crumbling it each time. I think we have been fortunate so far, because we are an AF family that knows more than the average person off the street. We appreciate all your help and advice so far.
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thats a shame doc there is such a discrimination on adhd i bet you if there was a draft and i was selected for duty that adhd would go out the window. i can understand in someones retina was detatched or if their spine is altered. theres so many people who lie about their medical history and hide things and get away with it theres nobody whose perfect in the service. there were soldiers given aderall in iraq because they were deemed unable to focus. thats okay though i still have faith im healthy ive always been healthy never had a problem and if the waiver is disapproved at least i know i tried my best to serve the country. thank you doc
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Joe,
The military discriminates against a lot of things. You are correct that during a draft, or even during periods of poor recruiting prospects, medical, educational and moral standards are loosened in order to meet the mission. Medical fitness standards are also different for accession versus retention, and that is why you will see individuals on adderall in Iraq, or soldiers in uniform with only one leg because the other one was blown off in the line of duty, or people with HIV, all on active duty–they developed their conditions once they had already raised their right hand, sworn to defend their country, and made it past basic recruit training. However, not one of those people would have been allowed to join if they already had those problems.
People do lie. It is one of the biggest problems we have in accessions. If the military would prosecute those people to the fullest extent of the law and actually dishonorably discharge them, jail them for the 5 years and fine them the $10000 the law allows, that problem would largely go away because people wouldn’t risk it anymore. Unfortunatly, what happens in reality is those individuals (and there are many, many of them) who are caught or confess when they can’t hack it at boot camp, eat up time and resources in holding companies at recruit training centers while your tax dollars go to waste feeding, housing and babysitting them until they can be administratively processed out of the military.
I applaud you for wanting to serve your country, and for going about it in the right way (being truthful, and attempting to get a waiver). Remember that the uniformed services are not the only route to honorable service.
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Navy doc,
I was enlisted in the Marine Corps, I was in there DEP waiting for over a year to go to boot camp, and had to lose weight and work my ass of to go. I went down there and worked my ass of was on my third week of training and they found i had kidney stones because i had flank pain and blood in my urine, this discharged me and now i’m trying to join the Navy, my whole family has been in the Navy. I was wondering would it be hard for me to get a waiver for this, and what the process would be? -
Jen,
Kidney stones are disqualifying if they are greater than 4mm in size, were in both kidneys, are recurrent, require medical intervention (lithotripsy, stent placement, or surgical removal) or occurred within the past 12 months. Otherwise, a history of kidney stones more than a year ago on only one side, smaller than 4mm that passed on their own will not require a waiver.If you did have a disqualifying kidney stone, waiver will be more difficult since you did get medically discharged from the USMC, but it could still be possible.
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NavyDoc,
I did find out from the AF liaison at MEPs that my son’s medical clearance is a medical waiver. Those are good for how long? We know that he passed his physical at MEPs and those are good for 2 years. Since he retook his ASVABs in Nov and passed, a pre-screen was sent back up to the CMO to review. The liaison said that takes about 2 weeks, which we are still waiting for results. Pre-screens are good for 60 days? So, when the pre-screen is done and good, the next step is….?
Thank you.
I was rejected from the airforce during the medical part of MEPS process. I had a curvature of the spine that did not fit the standards of the military. The degrees of my spine are not within requirments. After i left MEPS i went to a specialists to get his opinion. He checked my back out and said that i do show signs of lordosis, but i have zero pain and full mobility in my back. He wrote me a doctors note stating i had no pain and perfect mobility in my spine and back. I had a call from my recruiter a couple weeks later and he told me i was rejected. My question is will ANY branch of the military accept me with my conditions and the doctors note on a second trip to MEPS? Thankyou