How long does it take to find about a medical waiver to enlist?

SGT Joe Colby — Mon, 11 Jun 2018 17:03:35 -0400

My son Zach, Eagle Scout & VT Grad, is trying to enlist but requires a medical waiver because a physicians assistant prescribed him an anti-anxiety drug for 3 months in his Junior year at VT (3 1/2 years ago). He submitted his paperwork along with letters from our family doctor and a psychiatrist stating he does not need the meds back in February/March but has not heard back from MEPS. His recruiter also has zero information. How long should this process take? He is working as a waiter waiting for approval but is getting discouraged.

Response by SGT Joe Colby made Jun 11 at 2018 5:28 PM

SGT Joe Colby — Mon, 11 Jun 2018 17:28:54 -0400

Thanks, I will tell him to do that tomorrow before his shift. Did not know he could contact them directly. This would certainly bypass any delay on the recruiters side.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2018 5:40 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Jun 2018 17:40:13 -0400

It can take a few months. There is a detailed workflow it goes through. You’d do better to try to contact the branch liaison at the MEPS as its not likely your son would be able to speak to anyone directly in the medical section.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Jun 11 at 2018 6:56 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Mon, 11 Jun 2018 18:56:42 -0400

Joe, keep us posted here in case any of us can help

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2018 9:33 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Jun 2018 21:33:54 -0400

SGT, sometimes (in cases like mine) it can take as little as a month (if I remember correctly, mine took about a six weeks), or it can take nearly a year. It just depends on how busy and/or efficient your MEPS BN is and the severity of the previous condition. Like the other comments say, don't be discouraged. It sounds like your son has covered all his bases, and there shouldn't be much in his way. I wasn't aware you can contact them directly, but that sounds like the best way to get info.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2018 9:39 PM

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Jun 2018 21:39:00 -0400

I had to get on for my hand after a ortho surgical repair involving metal plates and screws. Anyways all in all my medical waiver took about 2 months. But I’ve heard it can take way longer.
Should have withheld the information about pills tho.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2018 10:14 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Jun 2018 22:14:07 -0400

Mine took about 5 months.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2018 10:57 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Jun 2018 22:57:52 -0400

The first question is whether or not it actually a waiver at this point or if it is still a prescreen?

If he hasn’t taken the physical yet the medical documents are in the prescreen phase. MEPS has implemented a new prescreen procedure that is a challange at best. Frequently however- they will request the documents to go to the waiver authority for approval to take the physical. The recruiter doesn’t always know when it happens. A general rule of thumb in this area is that it takes 3 days to review the first 5 pages and then 1 day for each additional 5 pages. It’s not an exact science but it should give you an idea of how long a prescreen should take. If it gets sent up beyond that it could take a little longer.
If he’s gone to take the physical then it’s a true medical waiver. these can take 30 days or more. I’ve seen some things come back in 5 days and many others longer. No rhyme or reason behind it- it’s just how it goes.

I generally would not recommend contacting the MEPS directly. I would recommend either contacting the recruiting company headquarters or the recuriting BN so that they can have the liaisons check into it and make determinations as needed.

Response by SGT Joe Colby made Jun 11 at 2018 11:06 PM

SGT Joe Colby — Mon, 11 Jun 2018 23:06:06 -0400

He has not yet been to MEPS for a physical, all he has done is taken his ASVAB and submitted his records to the recruiter. He first looked into the Army a year ago only to find out he needed to wait for the 2 year mark.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2018 9:30 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 09:30:44 -0400

Y’all should’ve just nit said anything. If he doesn’t need the medication and he has no life threatening problems or anything that makes him a liability, it didn’t need reported for his enlistment.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2019 8:59 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 May 2019 20:59:42 -0400

DO NOT CONTACT THE MEPS FACILITY. The waiver has to go through a process. I've had applicants who have waited anywhere from 3 months to a year. All of the documents the MEPS Dr. Requested should be in there, if they are not as the approving authority wants them, it gets rejected. The Recruiter needs to look in the database and check. The recruiter CAN see the comments from the approval authority at each stage. Sometimes it has to go through several approvals before it reaches the final authority. Unfortunately, anxiety meds have to go all the way up..

Response by MAJ Rene De La Rosa made Sep 9 at 2019 11:16 AM

MAJ Rene De La Rosa — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 11:16:21 -0400

This sounds like the usual paperwork shuffle. Just have to grin and bear it.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2019 1:38 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 13:38:04 -0400

is there an update? Has your recruiter submitted the paperwork yet?