Do waivers for Adjustment Disorder usually get approved or denied?

Kay Miller — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 14:41:37 -0500

Back in 2019 I got a discharge from the Coast Guard during boot camp. After a few weeks of being there I ended up in the medical ward. After being in the medical ward for a little bit I was evaluated and got an Adjustment Disorder discharge. It’s been over a year since the discharge and after seeing a therapist I got a letter saying I was cleared of Adjustment Disorder, Anxiety, or any other mental health issues and that I’d be able to go back to boot camp and be okay. My RE code was an RE3 and said all Id need is a waiver to re-enlist. In order to obtain the waiver I needed to hand in my discharge paperwork along with a letter from a mental health professional saying I’ve seen her and am mentally okay to go back. I received and had all this paperwork and decided to go Navy and therefore handed this paperwork over to my Navy recruiter. I gave him my DD-214, my medical records from the coast guard, my letter from a therapist,etc. I’d need to retake the ASVAB because my previous one expired and redo MEPS again which I’m perfectly fine with. My recruiter said it would take up to 3 months to hear back about waiver approval. It’s only been a month and I’ve heard nothing yet, I’m trying to be patient. I’ve read from others that most mental health waivers are hard to get approved and it’s a hard process to get back in and I’ve never met anyone who was able to get back in from this same discharge. I was just wondering if anyone had any helpful or useful information, advice, tips, etc to help me have a greater chance at re-enlistment. I really screwed up the first time and have made it known I won’t stop till I’m able to re-enlist. My mental and physical health is perfectly fine and I just want the best chances of getting back in. All I can do is hope for the best and hope the waiver is approved however I don’t know the chances of my waiver being approved or how much my recruiter is willing to wait and work with me. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Dec 30 at 2020 3:07 PM

LTC Kevin B. — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 15:07:44 -0500

What exactly is your question for the board? It's unclear, based on your title and your narrative.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2020 3:26 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 15:26:00 -0500

Patience. You stated it takes about 3 months yet it’s been a month. As time gets closer continue to ping. With the military, things go slow, but continue to ping.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2020 5:30 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 17:30:04 -0500

Being honest... most all get turned away. If you had that hard of a time a year ago at the Coast Guard, you would be a major liability for the Navy. It has been a long time since I saw one go through. But I also believe you should fight for something you want, best of luck to you!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2020 6:10 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 18:10:53 -0500

90% of the time they get disapproved due to the nature of relapse.

Response by SPC Bradly Martin made Dec 30 at 2020 9:18 PM

SPC Bradly Martin — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 21:18:11 -0500

RE3 is no bueno bud. I’m not sure what Wikipedia said in regard to Re-up codes but a 3? Cmon. Definitely go into this pessimistic. Not looking to hot on this “waiver”... RE2 has waiver written all over it. Not an E3.

Response by SSG Laurie Mullen made Dec 31 at 2020 1:38 AM

SSG Laurie Mullen — Thu, 31 Dec 2020 01:38:21 -0500

If this doesn't work out and you still want to work on ships, you might want to look into one of the Merchant Marine academies.

Response by SGT Robert Wager made Dec 31 at 2020 5:23 AM

SGT Robert Wager — Thu, 31 Dec 2020 05:23:45 -0500

There are approximately 1 million variables in the waiver process. There are a LOT of waivers that are denied but not ALL of them. The only way to guarantee you won’t be accepted back in is to not ask.

Let the process work and have some patience. Also, have a backup plan if this does not work and a backup plan if your backup plan doesn’t work. There are approximately 3 million other ways to serve your country even if it is not in uniform. I wish you the best of luck!

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Dec 31 at 2020 6:38 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Thu, 31 Dec 2020 06:38:14 -0500

While tibia clear that you are determined and this may be your life’s goal, I recommend you put that same energy elsewhere. Continue your fight to serve, but have a plan if it does not work out. The odds are not good. Focus on what is within reach.

Response by ENS Chris "Cabbage" Vuille-Kowing made Dec 31 at 2020 7:09 AM

ENS Chris "Cabbage" Vuille-Kowing — Thu, 31 Dec 2020 07:09:25 -0500

How goes the journey, sir/madam?

Response by Kay Miller made Dec 31 at 2020 2:36 PM

Kay Miller — Thu, 31 Dec 2020 14:36:31 -0500

I was asked to elaborate a bit more. I’ve never been on medication of any kind before, during, or after this. Medication of any kind was never discussed, never needed, and I never plan on taking any. I’m clear or any mental health issues currently and have letters stating so that I’ve handed in.

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made Dec 31 at 2020 7:47 PM

Cpl Vic Burk — Thu, 31 Dec 2020 19:47:23 -0500

I say fight it tooth and nail with everything you got but to be truthful, your chances are probably slim to none. You would probably be better off trying to get back into the Coast Guard over another branch. Of course this is only my opinion. You are going to have to sit back and wait for the final verdict. As we always said the the military, "Hurry up and wait." I wish you the best of luck in your quest.

Response by SSG Elyzabeth Cromer made Jan 1 at 2021 4:44 PM

SSG Elyzabeth Cromer — Fri, 01 Jan 2021 16:44:32 -0500

I used to be the coordinator for medical boards the Army National Guard for my State and from personal experience I can tell you that it is not uncommon for soldiers to have clearance from civilian doctors saying that any mental health issues they had been having were no longer an issue when they wanted to deploy. More than a few of these individuals had relapses while on deployment. Because the National Guard had accepted the word of the civilian doctor; and the State Surgeon, MOS Board and the General signed off on the paperwork the Army now owns that soldier's mental health issues (because they were exasperated by their service).
This is why you require a waiver, the U.S. government wants to make sure you really are okay, and they do not end up responsible for your medical well being for the rest of your life when you have a preexisting condition. If the issue is truly resolved my advice would be to write a letter explaining the cause of the original issue, and why it will not happen again. I do not know your story, but I do know things happen to people that they can recover from emotionally. If you had an incident like that, tell it like it was, and move on. Maybe that is what they need to make the decission in your favor. If it is something that might happen again, (a death in the family, your partner cheating on you, money trouble, etc.) spend some more time as a civilian and growing as an individual. Good luck to you.