Could I get a waiver for a technical point on the ASVAB?

Cailey Randolf — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 22:39:16 -0500

I am trying to enlist as a combat medic. I scored a 55 on the ASVAB, but didn't qualify for medic. I missed the general technical point requirement by one.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Dec 10 at 2018 10:44 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 22:44:18 -0500

Maybe, but wait- you want to be a medic, using all kind of upcoming tech changes in the medical field, and you couldn't pass the general tech test? Why should anyone want to trust their life to you? Think maybe your dreams/wants are unsustainable?

Response by Cpl Jim Canning made Dec 10 at 2018 11:34 PM

Cpl Jim Canning — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 23:34:24 -0500

He'll NO! If I were to be wounded in combat, I sure as hell don't want to be treated by someone who needed a waiver because they couldn't pass the test!

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2018 12:44 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 00:44:20 -0500

You need to look in the mirror and ask yourself this question with all the honesty and character you posses: Do I have the requisite level of education and general knowledge to create a base to build upon and am I really smart enough to fully understand and absorb the training to become a medic? All of us, if we are men or woman of character, can answer that question to ourselves. If you cannot say unequivocally yes, than serve your nation in some different MOS

Response by CPO Nate S. made Dec 11 at 2018 8:11 AM

CPO Nate S. — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 08:11:32 -0500

Cailey Randolf RECOMMENDATION: Get an ASVAB Study Guide and Study, Study, Study!!! What are you going to do in the field with Marines or aboard ship - make excuses. Sight something "technical".

I already don't trust you as you want to make "excuses". For that matter a US Marine Cpl Jim Canning does not trust you!!! You can bet if you do make it to and through HM basic, then to and through HM-FMF school and show up at his command as an HM he will spread the word of this thread to his fell Marines. Then what? You can have superior medical skills, but if you are not TRUSTED no one gives a damn! I had an HM like you once! Not a good situation!!!

As a RETIRED US NAVY CHIEF HOSPITAL CORPSMAN, your trust and honor are the tools of most value to you!!! If your MARINES or SAILORS believe you to make excuses they will not trust you. If you want the title "Doc" earn it!!!

I have been retried from MY NAVY over 20 years and every day I seek to keep earning the title bestowed by those who gave their lives. I owe that to them! I recommend you read a few Medal of Honor Citations about those medics (Navy Corpsmen) that paid a price my friend I don't think you are willing to pay!

- https://www.med.navy.mil/bumed/nmhistory/Pages/Medal-of-Honor.aspx
- http://www.militarywives.com/index.php/comrades-in-arms-mainmenu-382/corpsmen-mainmenu-389/medal-of-honor-corpsmen-mainmenu-390

Seer these into you mind! Know their stories. I remember the Hall of Honor in San Diego, where I attended Corps School (aka Hospitalman Basic). I got my ass chewed for being late to class because I was engrossed in reading each MoH Citation on the wall. The ass chewing was worth it!!!

My words may seem harsh to you! But, you will have LIFE and DEATH in your hands! If you cannot handle this - chose a different way to serve!

Sincerely,

Nate Szejniuk
HMC (SW/AW), USN (Ret),
HM-8432 (Operational Preventive Medicine Specialist)
HM-8404 (aka Fleet Marine Forces Operational Healthcare Specialist)

COL Mikel J. Burroughs; COL Lee Flemming; LCdr (Rabbah) Rona Matlow;Maj Marty Hogan; SMSGT Gerald "Doc" Thomas; SCPO Morris Ramsey; Nicci Eisenhauer; Lt Col Charlie Brown;Maj Alea Nadeem; LTC Private RallyPoint Member; Kate Van Name

Medal-of-Honor.aspx

Robert Henry Stanley has the distinction of being the first hospital corpsmen, and Navy medical man, ever to receive the Medal of Honor. He was born on May 2, 1881 in Brooklyn, N.Y. At the time of action he was serving as a Hospital Apprentice, USN. His citation reads, “In action with the relief expedition of the Allied forces in China during the battles of the June 13, and 20-22 1900. Throughout this period and in the presence of the enemy,...

Response by TSgt David Holman made Dec 11 at 2018 9:51 AM

TSgt David Holman — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 09:51:22 -0500

It might be possible, but remember, these test are designed to see what the probability of success is for a person in a given field. If the member is only on the minimum allowable, they might succeed, but they are just as likely to fail. If you think you could do better, I would recommend asking to retake the ASVAB and seeing if you do any better. If you truly want to be a medic, the worst case scenario here would be that you still don't meet the minimum, and don't qualify.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2018 11:37 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 11:37:18 -0500

Doubtful. Plan B: get ASVAB prep book and study with emphasis on sub-tests that make up GT score, and retest.

Response by SFC David Bentley made Dec 11 at 2018 12:33 PM

SFC David Bentley — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 12:33:06 -0500

One of the things that you have to remember is the ASVAB is a screening tool to ensure success in a MOS field. If you have no mechanical aptitude you can’t be a mechanic, if you can’t math then artillery might be not your thing. The other thing is when you see the 10-20 & 30 level tasks as well as the fact that there will be times that your the sole decision maker when it comes to a treatment plan. As a way forward I would say study and re take the ASVAB or review the list of MOS that you did qualify for and go from there. http://www.ncosupport.com/files/stp8_68w13.pdf

stp8_68w13.pdf

Response by PO2 Kevin Peine made Dec 11 at 2018 12:39 PM

PO2 Kevin Peine — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 12:39:49 -0500

Go study and retake your ASVAB. No one will trust you if they find out you're an ASVAB waiver.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2018 6:21 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 18:21:17 -0500

Retake it. If its just a point and you think you should be in the job, then prove it. Get an ASVAB study guide online or at your local library and actually study it. If you can't do it, you don't want it bad enough.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Dec 12 at 2018 4:48 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 04:48:30 -0500

I don't know if redoing the ASVAB is appealable, though you might ask, or possibly ask your three Congress members for any possible endorsement for such a request, obviously, I have zero clue if I'd actually work, of course, or do any actual good. That being said, it'd help greatly if you could elaborate on your grades, GPAs, any college level coursework you've done, whether associates or Bach, any AP coursework you !ightve done in high school, as well...if you really want clinical, you might see if you can go at least on a community college level for EMT, AEMT, or paramedic, possibly, and try being private ambulance crew to get some exposure. Further, if you might be willing t be somewhat more flexible as to which svc you might want, I'm not suggesting sting, certainly, that other svc clinical personnel are judged wuh any less rigor, merely that you at least consider such possibilities, that's all I'm trying to suggest,. You could try for Navy corpsman, possibly USAF pararescue, USCG medic, who often as I've seen on myriad videos, incl on YouTube, assist with clinical care during helicopter evacs, I'm sure they also assis t on cutters, various other vessels also, however, I just think you might find those various clinoicap possibilities, the most exciting, honest. Id expect such training to be quite rough, certainly, and I of course have zero clue what chance you might have...the Army at Ft Sam Houston runs an intersvc PA program, I do also know USCG has its own PAs, other clinical staff are generally USPHS Commissioned Corps, look up the UEPHS Jr and Sr COSTEP program, there's also a major intersvc program for enlisted who want medicine just look it up, to actually get an MD (allopathic !ed) or DO (osteopathic med), both are physicians, out could also go allied health doctoral level, day ntistry, podiatry, chiropractic, optometry, DPT, the newer PT doctoral level degree, though I realize you'd wanted combat medic, I'm merely making you aware of various possibilities, that's all, honest, if you'd care to chat further, I'm total perm disabled now, however, I was trained for doctoral level allied health, though my wife and I had me shut my license sevl yrs ago, your question was most interesting, of I can suggest more, just ask, and I'll certainly try, also, go into your hobbies, interests, reading, sports, esp martial arts, if any, I'd be most eager to hear more anytime, OK?

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Dec 12 at 2018 4:53 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 04:53:42 -0500

Sorry, typo, I'd obviously !eamt for you to try asking your thr3e Congress offices, I'm on a clumsy tablet, I'm afraid, also, elaborate on exactly how !much STEM coursework, all sciences you've taken, the more detail you give, the more I and others can possibly suggest, go into your reading, interests, any youth groups you might've been involved wiuh, e.g. Scouting of any sort, Civil Air. Patrol (CAP), JROTC, Navy Sea Cadets, it'd help to give w more complete understanding of your level of exposure this far...alsp, have you done any volunteer stuff at high school or undergrad level in hospitals, clinics, or private clinical offices at all? If so, what type, what level, and what, if any, clinical training formally have you had thus far, as well, OK?

Response by MSgt Michael Smith made Dec 12 at 2018 9:24 AM

MSgt Michael Smith — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 09:24:52 -0500

You can always retake the ASVAB after you wait a while.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2018 11:25 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 11:25:32 -0500

Line score exemptions are case by case. The only non waiverable score is an AFQT

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2018 10:23 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 22:23:44 -0500

Study some more then retake the test. When I do Recruiter's Assistance with the Air Force yhats what I tell applicants. You have to work to get what you want. Plus that shows us that you are motivated and that builds a case to helping you out. Also start taking a few general course college classes. That has an impact to.

Response by Maj Marty Hogan made Dec 13 at 2018 6:21 AM

Maj Marty Hogan — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 06:21:12 -0500

ASVAB in this case is not waiver able but you can take it over. Happens all the time in the Guard and more often when people cross train. I have had RNs that had to requal on the ASVAB to get in as a 4N Med Tech. CPO Nate S. Capt Daniel Goodman Cailey Randolf . It is not a big deal and ANY recruiter should have told you that. I am not positive about time between tests is the only thing and being the "entry" exam I dont think it is the same as the AFOQT restrictions.

Response by AB Brian Fritzie made Jan 19 at 2019 12:19 AM

AB Brian Fritzie — Sat, 19 Jan 2019 00:19:10 -0500

I guess I must be old school. I still have the results of my ASVAB I took in 1987. I scored a 97 on it which allowed me to pick any job in the USAF? I am guessing they must have really changed the way the score it. I think a 55 back then very few opportunities at that level! Man, I am getting old. Well, at least I got to pick Boomer!

Response by A1C Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2019 11:44 PM

A1C Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 23:44:40 -0400

I disagree with a lot of the people below. I wouldn't let anyone discourage you from trying. One test score doesn't make you (like some of these people claim). A similar situation happened to me where I did not pass the prerequisite test but I ended up excelling later. You wont be wearing your score and I doubt someone would refuse needed care because of an ASVAB point LOLOL. Do what you feel is right because either way isn't wrong.

Response by PO1 Cb Step made Sep 27 at 2019 9:26 AM

PO1 Cb Step — Fri, 27 Sep 2019 09:26:45 -0400

No waivers. You must wait, STUDY and retake bathe test to qualify.