Posted on Oct 4, 2015
Trying to reenlist, got a waiver for MEPS, got denied for the same reason I received the waiver, what are my options?
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I'm a prior service HM2 from the navy who got a DD368 into the VTARNG. I was discharged after completing the BCT requirements @ Ft. Jackson but just prior to graduating via PTRP.
Long story short, I'm a civilian paramedic and have been for many, many years. I hold degrees up to and including a BS with a masters in progress. I meet the age and physical requirements. I got a waiver for my legs (ACL repairs over 15 years ago) and went to MEPS. I passed everything. My ortho consult (civilian contracted out from MEPS) read, "No restrictions, fit for full combat oriented duty" and all I was doing was waiting for paperwork and to swear back in. I was denied medically for the SAME reason I got the waiver in the first place. Needless to say I was a bit crushed...
I've tried to contact my congressman, and appeal the decision. Because I was declared "cleared" my status won't change, but they won't allow my appeal through because there is no better designation than "cleared."
Does anyone have any advice? I'm tempted to finish my masters and try for the navy again, but my home is in the army...I'm willing to switch MOS' and repeat training if necessary.
Any help or direction would be appreciated...
Long story short, I'm a civilian paramedic and have been for many, many years. I hold degrees up to and including a BS with a masters in progress. I meet the age and physical requirements. I got a waiver for my legs (ACL repairs over 15 years ago) and went to MEPS. I passed everything. My ortho consult (civilian contracted out from MEPS) read, "No restrictions, fit for full combat oriented duty" and all I was doing was waiting for paperwork and to swear back in. I was denied medically for the SAME reason I got the waiver in the first place. Needless to say I was a bit crushed...
I've tried to contact my congressman, and appeal the decision. Because I was declared "cleared" my status won't change, but they won't allow my appeal through because there is no better designation than "cleared."
Does anyone have any advice? I'm tempted to finish my masters and try for the navy again, but my home is in the army...I'm willing to switch MOS' and repeat training if necessary.
Any help or direction would be appreciated...
Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS)
Re-enlistment
79R: Recruiter
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 13
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I feel your heart. I was in the same boat. I am in love with the army and requested to return. I have an appeal going on for my knee. I would prefer anytime to return to services but I am too old. I wish you the best in getting to fulfill your dream and heart.
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SPC Lisa Rudikoff
Thank you...what were you denied for? How are you conducting your appeal? I don't know where to begin...other than trying my congressman.
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I'm kind of befuddled about how you got a MEPS-ordered ortho consult, which OK'ed you for service, and then got declined after that, for the same reason.
When I came in in 2007, I had to get an ortho consult also. I went to the MEPS contracted Sports Medicine place, got X-Rays, and talked to a doctor there. After reviewing the X-Rays and speaking to me regarding my activities, he signed off on it and back to MEPS I went. At MEPS, I handed the Chief Medical Officer my OK'ed consult paperwork. The CMO looked at it, said, "OK" and stamped my paperwork "Approved" right in front of me. Less than 24 hours later, my recruiter called me to tell me that my waiver was approved.
So when you returned to MEPS from your consult, what happened? If you got the OK from your consult, then your waiver should have been approved. HOWEVER, the service is still the final decision-maker on whether or not you get the waiver. If I were in your position, I would chase down EXACTLY what happened after you handed-in your ortho consult paperwork. If there was some mishandling of your documents/process, then a Congressional is in order. But if the service just told you "No" then there's not much you or anyone else can do. Congressional Inquiries only investigate whether or not the *process* was proper or not. They cannot override an enlistment decision.
Good Luck!
When I came in in 2007, I had to get an ortho consult also. I went to the MEPS contracted Sports Medicine place, got X-Rays, and talked to a doctor there. After reviewing the X-Rays and speaking to me regarding my activities, he signed off on it and back to MEPS I went. At MEPS, I handed the Chief Medical Officer my OK'ed consult paperwork. The CMO looked at it, said, "OK" and stamped my paperwork "Approved" right in front of me. Less than 24 hours later, my recruiter called me to tell me that my waiver was approved.
So when you returned to MEPS from your consult, what happened? If you got the OK from your consult, then your waiver should have been approved. HOWEVER, the service is still the final decision-maker on whether or not you get the waiver. If I were in your position, I would chase down EXACTLY what happened after you handed-in your ortho consult paperwork. If there was some mishandling of your documents/process, then a Congressional is in order. But if the service just told you "No" then there's not much you or anyone else can do. Congressional Inquiries only investigate whether or not the *process* was proper or not. They cannot override an enlistment decision.
Good Luck!
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SPC Lisa Rudikoff
SFC A.M. Drake - I went through a few here in Colorado who I honestly don't remember as our encounters were super short. When I went to Nebraska, actually got the waiver, it was SF Rachell Rowley who helped me the most. I was set to come back in as a 68W (formerly the 91W I had previously) and then got the denial after MEPS and the ortho consult. The ones in Colorado applied for the waiver and it was denied (enlisted) and then officer recruiter wouldn't even send anything in because they said it wouldn't come back approved.
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SPC Lisa Rudikoff
SFC Unger, I went through Omaha MEPS this past February 2015...and was told that day that I was good to go. That it was just a matter of paperwork processing and coming back to swear in. SFC Rachell Rowley was my recruiter. The Colorado ones I don't even remember as they really didn't seem to spend any time on me or accomplish anything.
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SSG(P) (Join to see)
SFC A.M. Drake - SFC Drake: I don't recall the recruiter's name right now (though I have it somewhere, I am at ALC right now, so I don't have all my documents within arms reach). But it was early 2007.
My recruiter was competent, but had no clue about the medical waiver process, which I did, since I had been both researching it and living it since 2005. Then again, when I asked my recruiter about how BCT would be at Fort Benning, his only response was, "tough, I guess." My son is at Fort Benning right now for OSUT, and I gave him more information and helpful hints than my recruiter gave me, and I am not a recruiter.
My recruiter was competent, but had no clue about the medical waiver process, which I did, since I had been both researching it and living it since 2005. Then again, when I asked my recruiter about how BCT would be at Fort Benning, his only response was, "tough, I guess." My son is at Fort Benning right now for OSUT, and I gave him more information and helpful hints than my recruiter gave me, and I am not a recruiter.
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SPC Lisa Rudikoff
Not sure what the problem is if you have the waiver? You are always going to a 3 in L but you have a waiver? MEPCOM is not going to change your PUHLES, but this should not matter?
Is your waiver for the same service you are enlisting in to? There are too many pieces to really discuss on an open forum...message me if you more advice because it reads like you should be able to walk in to the Guidance Shop and enlist?
Not sure what the problem is if you have the waiver? You are always going to a 3 in L but you have a waiver? MEPCOM is not going to change your PUHLES, but this should not matter?
Is your waiver for the same service you are enlisting in to? There are too many pieces to really discuss on an open forum...message me if you more advice because it reads like you should be able to walk in to the Guidance Shop and enlist?
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