First of all, the approval of a medical waiver is the responsibility of the Commander, Navy Recruiting Command (CNRC). The Admiral makes a decision with input from a qualified medical authority.

To dispel a myth, Navy Recruiting does not use the Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED) to make recommendations for an individual’s physical/psychological condition to enter Naval service.

Nearly a decade ago, in an effort to reduce applicant waiting time (which often times extended three months or more), CNRC added to the staff a medical department. Commander, Navy Recruiting Command’s medical staff (CNRC 00M) which includes a doctor and a small cadre of Navy Corpsman who work at the CNRC headquarters in Millington, Tn. now makes the medical recommendations to the Admiral in a fraction of the time.

The Process:

You first must be permanently disqualified (PDQ) by the MEPS medical department. The disqualification could come from your initial medical document reading, you do not make a trip to MEPS, or during your physical at the MEPS the doctor determines you to be permanently disqualified. Temporary disqualifications are not reviewed for medical waivers. Here is a post I made last year which lists many of the medical conditions that may be waiverable. Conditions not normally considered for a medical waiver.

If the MEPS PDQ’d you based on the medical documents submitted, CNRC 00M must direct MEPS, if 00M determines a waiver may be possible, to provide you with a physical. 00M’s direction to MEPS may include consultation(s), a visit to an outside specialist like an orthopedic doctor or a cardiologist.

Note: You need to be prepared to make more than one visit to MEPS depending on consultation requirements.

Once the final results of the MEPS physical and consultations are complete (including blood work), those results will be sent to 00M for review. 00M will then make a recommendation to the Admiral (usually within 3-5 days depending on back load).

If the MEPS PDQ’d you during the physical then 00M may direct further testing via consultation, or make a final recommendation to the Admiral for approval or disapproval without further medical tests.

I hope this helps you understand the process for a medical waiver, and hopefully make it a little less intimidating. As always, feel free to email your questions!

2009 Military Pay Chart
2010 Military Pay Chart

Navy Recruiting Medical Waiver Process

The C-SORT, when combined with the PST run and swim (run time and swim time added together) is predictive of success of a candidate in the training pipeline. The band scores (scaled from one to four) are added together. The two band scores added together have to be four or greater to be eligible for SO classification. The candidate still must meet the basic PST requirements and program requirements, in addition to the combined C-SORT/PST band score. If a candidate does not meet all requirements, he should be told “NOT NOW” and encouraged to improve his PST Score. The C-SORT cannot be re-taken. If a candidate does not qualify, he should be considered for classification into one of the other Warrior Challenge ratings.

ASVAB line scores required for SO are GS+MC+EI=165 or VE+MK+MC+CS=220

2009 Military Pay Chart
2010 Military Pay Chart

C-Sort is Now Required for SO

Confirmation testing applies to any person who was given a retest on any version of the (ASVAB) who’s ASVAB score increased 20 AFQT points or more than their previous test score, and the two tests are taken within 6 months of each other, they are required to take the confirmation test. If 6 months passed from the date of the retest then the confirmation test is not required no matter what the AFQT point increase may have been. The rule applies regardless if it was an enlistment or a student ASVAB when deciding if a confirmation retest is required.

Confirmation testing cannot be given at a school or MET site, it will only be conducted in the MEPS and it is a full version containing all sections of the ASVAB.

If you fall into the above rule and you complete a confirmation test your AFQT from the confirmation test must be compared to the previous test. If your confirmation test AFQT is higher than the AFQT from the previous test, or the AFQT from the confirmation test does not decrease by more than half the value of the retest’s gain, then you have met the required criteria for a successful confirmation test. The results from the test that made you take the confirmation test in the first place becomes the score you will use for enlistment, not the confirmation test scores.

If confirmation ASVAB test AFQT goes down more than half of your initial point increase below your previous retest AFQT you will be required to complete a confirmation interview.

An example; If you got a 33 AFQT on the first test and two months later you take a retest and score a 59 AFQT. Because the test was within 6 months the 26 point increase of your AFQT will require you to take a confirmation test (unless you wait 6 more months). If on the confirmation test you scored a 45 AFQT which is 14 points less than the retest AFQT (greater than half of the 26 point increase) – you will require the interview.

The interview will determine the cause of the anomaly and scores associated with the confirmation test are held from further processing pending results of that interview.

Hope this helps, feel free to ask questions!

2009 Military Pay Chart
2010 Military Pay Chart

ASVAB Confirmation Test

When recruiting is tough, the branch having difficulty will lower standards – i.e. take more non-high school graduates, except people with borderline height weight issues, favorably consider more waivers, reduce ASVAB requirements, etc.

The opposite is true when a branch is doing well, each service has a finite number of personnel budgeted for so expect the branch to get much more picky about who they accept.

The current performance of our economy is forcing people to look at all their options, including service in an active or reserve component of the armed forces. If you see the military as an option in your future you may want to mosey on down and talk about your options. Depending on the type job you want you may already have to wait almost a year to leave for boot camp.

DoD Announces Recruiting and Retention Numbers for January 2009

The Department of Defense announced today its recruiting and retention statistics for the active and reserve components for the month of January.

· Active Component.
· Recruiting. All services met or exceeded recruiting goals for January.
· Army – 9,658 accessions with a goal of 9,000; 107 percent
· Navy – 2,948 accessions with a goal of 2,948; 100 percent
· Marine Corps – 3,720 accessions with a goal of 3,406; 109 percent
· Air Force – 2,600 accessions with a goal of 2,597; 100 percent
Retention. All four active components continued their success in fiscal 2009, meeting or exceeding January retention goals.
· Reserve Component.
· Accessions. Five of the six reserve components met or exceeded
their accession goals for the month of January 2009. Although the Army
National Guard fell short of its January goal, it is well ahead (114 percent) of its
annual goal.
· Army National Guard – 4,913 accessions with a goal of 5,577; 88 percent
· Army Reserve – 3,223 accessions with a goal of 3,128; 103 percent
· Navy Reserve – 712 accessions with a goal of 712; 100 percent
· Marine Corps Reserve – 879 accessions with a goal of 567; 155 percent
· Air National Guard – 896 accessions with a goal of 703; 127 percent
· Air Force Reserve – 683 accessions with a goal of 683; 100 percent

· Reserve Attrition. Losses in all reserve components were within acceptable limits.

UPDATE: Looks like I might be “spot on”
From an interview today;

“It’s not just about the monthly recruiting goal,” Randy Noller, a Guard Bureau spokesman, said. “Right now, we are over our end strength and can slow down on recruiting.”

The Army National Guard now has 366,200 soldiers in its ranks, which exceeds its authorized end strength of 358,200 troops, Noller said.

Since the Army National Guard is recruiting fewer new soldiers each month, it can “increase the quality of people coming in,” Noller said.

2009 Military Pay Chart
2010 Military Pay Chart

Accession Numbers January 2009

• A spouse by marriage, not to include a common law spouse. A spouse is not considered a dependent when the spouse is on active duty or serving as a SELRES in Reserve Component of any service. A spouse in the Individual Ready Reserve is considered a dependent.

• Any natural child (legitimate or illegitimate) or child adopted by the applicant, provided:

(a) the child is unmarried
(b) is considered a dependent under the laws of the state having jurisdiction
(c) the applicant claims the child as theirs
(d) the applicant’s name is listed on the birth certificate as a parent
(e) a court order establishes paternity or if any person makes an allegation of paternity that has not been adjudicated by a court.

Note: A Child Support Order is required by all Active Duty applicants who have out of wedlock children prior to processing. The order must be from the State the child resides in.

• Unborn child(ren). Unmarried applicants who self-admit to being the father of an unborn child(ren) or for whom a positive legal/medical paternity determination has been made are considered to have a dependent(s) for enlistment and affiliation purposes.

• Stepchildren of the applicant.

• Stepchildren of the applicant’s spouse.

• Children from the spouse’s previous marriage that are under the age of 18.

• Any parent or other person who can be claimed as a dependent on the applicant’s income tax return.

WARNING: Relinquishing custody does not terminate dependency.

If you have any questions about the information above and for individual determination of your circumstance, see your local Navy Recruiter.

2009 Military Pay Chart
2010 Military Pay Chart

Navy Dependent Definition

The rules of tattooing, branding and body art extend to those wishing to join the Navy. Below I have quoted a section of the Navy recruiting manual which discusses the topic.

Four criteria will be used to determine whether tattoos/body art/brands are permitted for Navy personnel: content, location, size and cosmetic.

(a) Content. Tattoos/body art/brands located anywhere on the body that are prejudicial to good order, discipline, and morale or are of a nature to bring discredit upon the naval service are prohibited. For example, tattoos/body art/brands that are obscene, sexually explicit, and/or advocate discrimination based on sex, race, religion, ethnic, or national origin are prohibited. In addition, tattoos/body art/brands that symbolize affiliation with gangs, supremacist or extremist groups, or advocate illegal drug use are prohibited.

(b) Location. No tattoos/body art/brands on the head, face, neck or scalp. The neck area for purposes of this regulation is any portion visible when wearing an open collar uniform shirt. In addition, otherwise permissible tattoos/body art/brands on the torso area of the body shall not be visible through white uniform clothing.

(c) Size. Individual tattoos/body art/brands exposed by wearing a short sleeve uniform shirt shall be no larger in size than the wearer’s hand with fingers extended and joined with the thumb touching the base of the index finger. Tattoos/body art/brands that exceed size criteria are waiverable provided they do not violate the content or location criteria.

(d) Cosmetic Tattoos. This regulation does not prohibit cosmetic tattooing to correct medical conditions requiring such treatment. For the purposes of this regulation, cosmetic tattooing refers to medical or surgical procedures conducted by licensed, qualified medical personnel.

(5) Mutilation. Intentional mutilation of any part of the body is prohibited. Mutilation is defined as the intentional radical alteration of the body, head, face or skin for the purpose of and or resulting in an abnormal appearance. Examples of mutilation include, but are not limited to a split of forked tongue; foreign objects inserted under the skin to create a design or pattern; enlarged or stretched holes in the ears (other than a normal piercing); intentional scarring on the neck, face or scalp; and intentional burns creating a design or pattern.

(6) Dental Ornamentation. The use of gold, platinum, or other veneers or caps for purposes of dental ornamentation is prohibited. For purposes of this regulation, ornamentation is defined as decorative veneers or caps. Teeth, whether natural, capped, or veneered, will not be ornamented with designs, jewels, initials or other similar ornamentation.

UPDATE as of 15 OCT 2009: “Cosmetic tattoos applied in good taste so that colors blend with natural skin tone and enhance natural features are acceptable. Exaggerated or faddish cosmetic styles are not authorized. Permanent lipstick colors shall be conservative and complement the individual.”

2009 Military Pay Chart
2010 Military Pay Chart

Before you get your next tattoo!

Basically, to qualify for the NF program you must meet regular enlistment eligibility plus have a “traditional” state-accredited high school diploma, have successfully completed one year of high school or college level algebra, be a United States citizen and be younger than 25 years of age by your shipping date to recruiting training. You must also meet the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)/Navy Advanced Program testing requirements.  Prior drug usage and police involvement, where not necessarily disqualifying, will make entering the program difficult – see your Recruiter as some things can be waived for outstanding candidates.

Once your time in the Delayed Entry Program is completed expect to experience the NF pipeline, moving from one phase of training to the next without undue delay. The normal training cycle is:

1. Recruit Training (Great Lakes, IL).
2. Nuclear Power School (NPS) in Charleston, SC, where they learn theory and practical application of nuclear physics and reactor engineering. Following NPS, candidates begin prototype training in their rating specialty at one of two Nuclear Power Training Units (NPTUs). After nuclear power training, NF Sailors are designated nuclear propulsion plant operators. They may be assigned to modern nuclear powered aircraft carriers or volunteer for submarine service (men only).
   MACHINIST’S MATE NUCLEAR FIELD “A” SCHOOL – This course provides basic knowledge of technical mathematics and a basic understanding of the theory and operation of a steam power plant. Students learn to operate tools, test equipment, and system components; read blueprints; practice rigging techniques; and perform maintenance procedures such as packing a valve or aligning a pump coupling.
   ELECTRICIAN’S MATE NUCLEAR FIELD “A” SCHOOL – This course provides basic knowledge of technical mathematics and a basic understanding of power distribution. Students solve basic equations using phasors, vector notations and basic trigonometry and analyze DC and AC circuits. Students demonstrate working knowledge of DC and AC motors and generators. Students learn to operate electrical equipment using controllers, and to properly test, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair electrical circuits, motors, cables, circuit breakers, and other related electrical equipment for power distribution.
   ELECTRONICS TECHNICIAN NUCLEAR FIELD “A” SCHOOL – This course provides basic knowledge of technical mathematics and a good working knowledge of electricity and electronics, solid state devices, digital logic and systems, microprocessors, and instrumentation and control circuits. Students learn to interpret schematic diagrams and use appropriate test equipment to isolate and correct faults in electronic systems.
3. Basic Nuclear Power Course at Nuclear Power School (Charleston, SC). This course provides a comprehensive understanding of a pressurized-water Naval nuclear power plant, including reactor core nuclear principles, heat transfer and fluid systems, plant chemistry and materials, mechanical and electrical systems, and radiological control.
4. Nuclear Propulsion Plant Operator Course at Nuclear Power Training Unit (Ballston Spa, NY or Charleston, SC). This course provides knowledge of the fundamentals of a Naval nuclear power plant and the interrelationship of its mechanical, electrical, and reactor subsystems. Students develop oral communications skills. Students understand the physical nature of nuclear radiation, its detection, interaction with matter and human health consequences, and gain knowledge of the safe operation of a complex Naval nuclear power plant and its sophisticated subsystems with an emphasis on basic industrial safety principles. Students learn to identify, troubleshoot, and correct problems in nuclear mechanical, electrical, or reactor control systems at the component level with an emphasis on reactor systems, and apply earlier technical classroom knowledge gained to the practical safe operation of Naval nuclear power plants. Officers are given the broadest understanding of the plant subsystems, and are taught command skills to effectively lead the watch team in the safe operation of a Naval nuclear power plant. Selected graduates of mechanical operator training are given additional training as Engineering Laboratory Technicians (ELT) or Propulsion Plant Operator Welders.
5. Duty Assignment. After prototype training, nuclear propulsion plant operators are assigned to duty per the needs of the Navy.

You will enter the Navy as an E-3 and be automatically promoted to E-4 (Third Class Petty Officer) at the completion of your “A” school phase. Promotion to E-4 requires you sign an enlistment extension – the NF program is a six year obligation basically broken down as; four years of a basic enlistment PLUS one year extension for the amount of schooling and a sixth year for the promotion to E-4 (hope that makes sense). Navy Nukes also receive special duty assignment pay which can range from $150 to $450 a month, proficiency pay up to $150 a month and not to mention sea pay while stationed on a sea going command (plus submarine pay if you decide to go on boats that sink on purpose ). My little pay snap shot does not include housing and allowance for subsistence which you may also be eligible for.

With the lure of well paying jobs beckoning those with Navy nuclear power training you can image that keeping the ratings manned up can be a challenge. The Navy, in order to entice Sailors to stay in past their initial enlistment normally provides a reenlistment bonus to be a Navy Nuke. Got what it takes?

2009 Military Pay Chart
2010 Military Pay Chart

Navy Nuclear Power Program

All NAVETs must have a complete seabag. To save yourself some money you should bring previously purchased, fully serviceable sea bag items to avoid unnecessary expenses. If you are thinking of getting out make sure you save some closet space just in case you ever decide to re-enlist!

When you arrive at RTC you must have complete copies of your enlistment physical DD Forms 2808 and 2807-1 when reporting. These documents will be packaged for you by the local Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) where you completed your re-enlistment.

NAVETs may require up to 60 days to complete processing at RTC. The average processing time is 30 days for state side orders and 45 days for overseas orders but plan on the 60 days. It will hinge on many factors including how quick your Detailer can process your orders and get them to you.

2009 Military Pay Chart
2010 Military Pay Chart

Save Your Uniforms, Just in Case!

Mullen Praises Recruiters for Success in Challenging Environment

By Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. Carden
American Forces Press Service

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 23, 2008 – The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told more than 100 military Recruiters here yesterday that their work is vital to mission accomplishment, especially in an environment in which people who influence potential recruits are reluctant to steer them toward service in uniform.

Navy Adm. Mike Mullen spoke to the Recruiters at the University of Southern California.

“We just cannot be a military without successful Recruiters,” Mullen said. “Recruiting is as important a duty assignment as any, and we need good people from every branch of service to recruit young people into the military.”

The military is busier than at any other time in the nation’s history, Mullen said. The past six-plus years of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the frequency of deployments, the lack of time at home stations between deployments and the expectations for success have made serving in today’s armed forces more challenging than ever, he added.

“The environment you’re recruiting in is the toughest we’ve ever known, and it’s a tough world to be engaged in,” he said. “We recognize there are challenges, but we just can’t move forward without what you’re doing and how you’re doing it.”

The fact that the military has sustained such a high tempo as an all-volunteer force makes it the best military the United States has ever had, the admiral said. Recruiting has been surprisingly successful in recent years, he added, but he noted that the characteristics that make the current generation of service members so great are the same ones that make the Recruiters’ jobs more difficult.

Today’s generation lives in a time of persistent conflict, he said, and a great many young people feel a responsibility to serve the nation in a time of need. But parents, teachers and other mentors are more reluctant to support the military, knowing that if their young people join, they’re likely going to war.

The stress of two wars is straining on the military, as thousands of Soldiers and Marines have deployed to combat three or four times since 2002. Mullen said increasing time between deployments, thus reducing the number of deployments by individuals, will be helpful when it can happen, but as long as the military needs to sustain its current high-tempo pace, Recruiters are going to be among the Defense Department’s top priorities.

“Your avocation to recruit young people into the military is as vital as any part of our profession,” he said. “I depend on you as great leaders, and there’s no success that gets generated more quickly and can be sustained more readily than that which occurs through great leadership.”

2009 Military Pay Chart
2010 Military Pay Chart

Success in Challenging Environment

What student loans qualify? Existing education loans must meet all of the following requirements in order to qualify for repayment:
a. Must have been made towards your education.
b. Must qualify under part B, D, or E of Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1071 et seq; 1087a et seq; 1087aa et seq). Unless you are actually listed as the student on Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS), this type of loan is ineligible for repayment.
c. The loan must have been made after October 1, 1975 and before your active duty service date (date you go to boot camp).

The LRP application is complete when you select the LRP option during the classification process at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS). You will provide all items on the LRP checklist your Recruiter will provide. Once all the items from the checklist are obtained MEPS will forward the information to the Commander Navy Recruiting Command LRP Coordinator (CNRC N5312) for final approval and enrollment into LRP. All these items must make it to CNRC N5312 within 60 days after entry into the Delayed Entry Program.

Understand this, you will be automatically disenrolled from LRP and forfeit all future loan repayments if any of the following occur:
a. The last payment has been made on loans submitted at initial enlistment (your loans are paid in full).
b. You receive a commission or warrant appointment (Your an Officer Now!).
c. You are discharged or released from active duty.

So, what is the benefits of LRP? The United States Navy will pay the lesser of the original loan amount or the unpaid principle balance at the time you ship off to Recruit Training Command (not to exceed $65,000). Any accrued interest, fines, penalties, or processing fees cannot be paid for by the Navy. Loan payments will be made directly to lender(s) in payments of 33 1/3 percent of the loan or $1,500 (whichever is greater) for each completed year of service. If the outstanding principle balance becomes less than 33 1/3 percent of the initial balance, the outstanding balance will be paid. The loan(s) must be in good standing to be eligible for repayment. According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), loan repayments are subject to federal and state taxes. Taxes will be withheld from your pay for the LRP payment amount and the amounts will be included in your W-2 form. The Navy will not refund any amount of the loan paid by other parties!

Enrollment in the LRP does not exempt you from all obligations associated with the repayment of the loan. Since the first LRP payment cannot be made until you have completed one year of service, you may choose to seek loan deferment or forbearance to prevent defaulting on loans. It is YOUR responsibility to secure deferment or forbearance on your loans and you must communicate such intentions directly to the lender.

Special stuff – If you do not complete your initial term of enlistment may qualify for prorated credit if you completed at least one full year of enlisted service. If you do receive a commission or warrant appointment or are selected to any pre-commissioning programs you lose your LRP eligibility. The Navy will prorate any eligible payment, the prorated amount is based on the number of years completed at the time of commissioning/appointment.

You may utilize the GI-Bill however, the law currently does not allow LRP participants to use GI-Bill benefits unless you enlist for a second term (and have served a minimum of 24 months of that second term). ***If you want the GI-Bill, you will have $100 per month deducted from your pay for the first year of enlistment. This amount is not refundable if you do not reenlist.***

Update: The new Post 911 GI-Bill does NOT have a $1200 ($100 per month) requirement.

Only you can determine if this program is right for you. Weigh your options and do the math! Some enlistment bonuses may bring the loans down to a manageable amount or may even cover the total.

2009 Military Pay Chart
2010 Military Pay Chart

Navy Student Loan Repayment