Posted on Jan 23, 2020
Has anyone had to deal with the waiver process for being disqualified due to their pectus (Pectus Excavatum)?
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So, for the last few months I've been jumping through all kinds of hoops to join the Air Force. About 4 years prior I had a corrective surgery for Pectus Excavatum called the Nuss Procedure. I had to put that on my 2807 for and submit every single piece of medical records that I could possibly get my hands on. This was an excruciatingly long process that often times made me doubt my chances of getting in. Just because of how many times it got kicked back or I was asked for more when there was nothing left for me to get. Well after all that I finally got accepted to go take my medical at meps. Everything went well, I was healthy and didn't have any joint problems or flexibility issues. But when I went to the Chief Medical Officer's office, she explained to me that I was disqualified due to my pectus. This tore my heart apart, I was thinking there must be something wrong because as far as i'm concerned if your pectus doesn't limit physical activity or breathing you should be good. But no, I was told that I needed a waiver. I have been backpacking through mountains my whole entire life, running cross country all throughout high school, I ride motor cross so I have no limits as to what I do. I know that no one really knows how good of a chance you have of accepted or denied, but I'm just wondering if there is anyone on here that has been in the same position as I am with the pectus ? Im so passionate about the Air Force but i do have a backup plan if it doesn't work out.
Thank you so much
Max
Thank you so much
Max
Posted in these groups: 
Waivers
Waivers
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 2
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A1C (Join to see) so, here's my little story - one that I've told several times on RP over the last, hell a decade since the site started?
I've had to go through the waiver process to get back in to the Air Force. I was told, like you, that my medical discharge disqualified me from re-entry. This is, understand, part of the official process. You now need to have your recruiter see about a waiver to be cleared by MEPS. Once MEPS clears you, you may then need a waiver from the Surgeon General just to be able to enlist.
Documentation is great. Letters of Recommendation from solid sources that can testify to your physical capability, despite past surgery, are good, too! You are, essentially, making a court case to prove you are fit to serve. A determined recruiter will help, too. A more senior recruiter may be more help, because they may have more knowledge of the process. If you were in MO, and interested in the Air Guard, I could point you to an OUTSTANDING recruiter.
I've had to go through the waiver process to get back in to the Air Force. I was told, like you, that my medical discharge disqualified me from re-entry. This is, understand, part of the official process. You now need to have your recruiter see about a waiver to be cleared by MEPS. Once MEPS clears you, you may then need a waiver from the Surgeon General just to be able to enlist.
Documentation is great. Letters of Recommendation from solid sources that can testify to your physical capability, despite past surgery, are good, too! You are, essentially, making a court case to prove you are fit to serve. A determined recruiter will help, too. A more senior recruiter may be more help, because they may have more knowledge of the process. If you were in MO, and interested in the Air Guard, I could point you to an OUTSTANDING recruiter.
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A1C (Join to see)
Thanks for the info, my waiver is already up at the Surgeon general, I’m just waiting at this point. It got sent up last Tuesday
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SSgt (Join to see)
A1C (Join to see) - that's awesome. As you can already tell, it's a waiting game. You gotta figure there are THOUSANDS of papers that cross that office. I think it took another couple months by the time my waiver application made it to the Surgeon General.
Good luck to you, sir. I hope to see you in Big Blue soon!!!
Good luck to you, sir. I hope to see you in Big Blue soon!!!
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I jave gotten one of those approved for the Army. Maybe you should change branches.
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A1C (Join to see)
I’m gonna try marines if the air force doesn’t accept me but I’m hoping I’ll get accepted for air force
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SFC (Join to see)
A1C (Join to see) the Marines will just say no they're not even going to look at your paperwork more than likely...
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