Posted on Dec 18, 2020
I was sent home from meps 2 days ago because I told the doctor I was on amlodiphine 10mg & it was not on paper. What do I do?
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I'm a 37 yr old with blood pressure that is controlled. On the day at meps, my BP reading was 126/86. Before I started the process of enlisting, I told my recruiter I had high blood pressure, his response; it was not an issue.
So we started the process after over a week in, it was time to show up at meps. Went to my recruiters off to fill out my medical form, came across the do you take prescription meds, my response in writing; yes amlodiphine 10mg. My recruiter says that is a disqualifying condition and wasn't willing to move forward. Basically saying I should go home. There was a number clearly stated under the prescription line to call and find out more so I asked him to pls call that number.
But he said no need, that I was disqualified except I lied!
He and his leadership persuaded me to lie and that when I get in, at bootcamp, if they find out on their own, the will prescribe meds for me then. As much as that was tempting, I was uneasy with the suggestion.
So I did a quick google research and saw an article, I think its military.com( don't quite me this) which stated that people with controlled BP can be given an unrestritive waiver. And that 180 out of 202 have been approved thus far.
I felt those were good odds, if only I could get to the right place. So I agreed with my recruiter on his suggestion knowing I wouldnt go through with it. I didnt want to be turned back even before trying.
So he gave me what I needed and I went to meps. Then told the doctor the truth voluntarily. She was furious. Now she requires me to get my medical records which is in a different country( I don't mind getting it), and a psych evaluation aswell.
After all that, I updated my recruiter on what had transpired but as I suspected, he is not euthiastic about moving forward with me.
What do I do? as I want exhaust all that is withing my control.
P.s the mos I'm interested in, is clerical
So we started the process after over a week in, it was time to show up at meps. Went to my recruiters off to fill out my medical form, came across the do you take prescription meds, my response in writing; yes amlodiphine 10mg. My recruiter says that is a disqualifying condition and wasn't willing to move forward. Basically saying I should go home. There was a number clearly stated under the prescription line to call and find out more so I asked him to pls call that number.
But he said no need, that I was disqualified except I lied!
He and his leadership persuaded me to lie and that when I get in, at bootcamp, if they find out on their own, the will prescribe meds for me then. As much as that was tempting, I was uneasy with the suggestion.
So I did a quick google research and saw an article, I think its military.com( don't quite me this) which stated that people with controlled BP can be given an unrestritive waiver. And that 180 out of 202 have been approved thus far.
I felt those were good odds, if only I could get to the right place. So I agreed with my recruiter on his suggestion knowing I wouldnt go through with it. I didnt want to be turned back even before trying.
So he gave me what I needed and I went to meps. Then told the doctor the truth voluntarily. She was furious. Now she requires me to get my medical records which is in a different country( I don't mind getting it), and a psych evaluation aswell.
After all that, I updated my recruiter on what had transpired but as I suspected, he is not euthiastic about moving forward with me.
What do I do? as I want exhaust all that is withing my control.
P.s the mos I'm interested in, is clerical
Posted in these groups: 
MED: Medical Admin
Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS)
Recruiter
Waivers
Potential Recruit
MED: Medical Admin Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) Recruiter Waivers Potential Recruit
Posted 4 y ago
Responses: 12
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If a recruiter isn't willing to submit a waiver, then it's likely not to happen. You can try to find another recruiter but I doubt it.
I think this is the link you found because it's the first one I found: http://www.asams.org/guidelines/Completed/NEW%20Hypertension.htm#:~:text=Almost%2090%25%20of%20military%20submitted,end%2Dorgan%20damage%20is%20confirmed.
This isn't even for the Army. It appears to be for the Air Force in regard to pilots or those who fly. It states: "Developed for the Aerospace Medical Association by their constituent organization American Society of Aerospace Medicine Specialists"
"For aeromedical purposes, the USAF defines hypertension for flying personnel as a 3-day average systolic blood pressure greater than 140mm Hg or a 3-day average diastolic blood pressure greater than 90mm Hg. Asymptomatic trained flying personnel with average systolic blood pressure ranging between 141 mmHg and 160 mmHg, or average diastolic blood pressure ranging between 91 mmHg and 100 mmHg, may remain on flying status for up to 6 months (from the date the elevated blood pressure was first identified) while undergoing non-pharmacological intervention to achieve acceptable values."
It does say further down "waiver (military)" but I'm not sure if this really applies to your situation. And this is what it says about flying personnel in the AR for the Army.
You should probably read AR 40-501.
I think this is the link you found because it's the first one I found: http://www.asams.org/guidelines/Completed/NEW%20Hypertension.htm#:~:text=Almost%2090%25%20of%20military%20submitted,end%2Dorgan%20damage%20is%20confirmed.
This isn't even for the Army. It appears to be for the Air Force in regard to pilots or those who fly. It states: "Developed for the Aerospace Medical Association by their constituent organization American Society of Aerospace Medicine Specialists"
"For aeromedical purposes, the USAF defines hypertension for flying personnel as a 3-day average systolic blood pressure greater than 140mm Hg or a 3-day average diastolic blood pressure greater than 90mm Hg. Asymptomatic trained flying personnel with average systolic blood pressure ranging between 141 mmHg and 160 mmHg, or average diastolic blood pressure ranging between 91 mmHg and 100 mmHg, may remain on flying status for up to 6 months (from the date the elevated blood pressure was first identified) while undergoing non-pharmacological intervention to achieve acceptable values."
It does say further down "waiver (military)" but I'm not sure if this really applies to your situation. And this is what it says about flying personnel in the AR for the Army.
You should probably read AR 40-501.
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I also want to point out I was in the field a few years ago (not that long ago) and went into medical to have a tweaked leg examined. They check my blood pressure like everything else and it was through the roof. Now, I check mine all the time, and I am constantly normal. Just at the upper edge of normal, but in the Green.
However, now my BP has skyrocketed. Why, because where we are in the field sucks ass, it's 110 degrees, we are eating nothing but MRE's for a month, and I can't stay hydrated, and my diet is stacked with sodium.
Imagine if your starting base line BP was much higher than normal.
However, now my BP has skyrocketed. Why, because where we are in the field sucks ass, it's 110 degrees, we are eating nothing but MRE's for a month, and I can't stay hydrated, and my diet is stacked with sodium.
Imagine if your starting base line BP was much higher than normal.
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Cpl Vic Burk
Unrelated regarding high blood pressure (so to speak). I am on medications for high blood pressure but I also have a weird condition where my blood pressure plummets to the point I almost pass out. Last time it happened (in the classroom) my blood pressure was 72/59. (Fortunately my students thought fast enough to call the nurse) The V. A. put a monitor on my heart for three weeks. I had issues while I was wearing it and filled out the book of information they gave me but they still said it came back "unremarkable." They have ran three heart stress tests on me, (two chemical and one treadmill) but say I am in great shape for my age. Go figure.
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Any chronic issue can jeopardize enlistment. What was the PULHES code? Any 4 is not good. It's permanent i.e. P4 (permanent) Used to be. T4 (temporary was a temporary bar).
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CWO3 (Join to see)
Best to deal with the disqualification rather than focus on being told to lie. You did right by being honest at MEPS. That's who you deal with now, and that's the best avenue. Stick with recruiter(s) you have or request assistance from their seniors. MEPS is nationwide so trying another recruiter won't change their records, only who you are dealing with. Anything requiring daily meds used to be a red flag. You'll have to find out how red.
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