What can be done about being disqualified from MEPS based on paperwork alone?

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 10:29:12 -0500

I’m currently an Army reservist and looking to switch the AD Navy while in PA school. However I spoke with my recruiter yesterday and he told me Meps DQd me as a result of my medical paperwork submitted for a foot surgery I had and won’t let me come in for processing. He said the next step is to get a waiver from the Navy, but of course that could be denied as well.

Even with the waiver from the Navy is there a chance of Being double DQd?

How is it possible to be deemed “unfit” when you’re already in service? I’m not understanding the logic and are there any other options in this instance?

Note: I also submitted a letter from my podiatrist stating I have no physical restrictions

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2018 10:43 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 10:43:29 -0500

I don't know if it's different with the Navy, but with the Army there can absolutely be different fitness for duty standards for initial enlistment/appointment (Chapter 2 of AR 40-501) versus retention (that would be Chapter 3). In other words, if you're already in the military, a condition/surgical history/etc. might not get you kicked out but could be the kind of thing that prevents you from joining. Since this is switching to a new branch of the military, my guess is they're using the accession and not the retention standards, so it sounds like that's the weird limbo you're in right now. I would definitely want more information from the recruiter...is it merely the fact that you had a surgery that made MEPS DQ you, or is it presumed (or actual) limitations or after-effects following the surgery?

Good luck!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2018 10:56 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 10:56:12 -0500

I'm sure you could put yourself on tour of Duty and get one year or more title 10 missions. Did you ever think about putting yourself on tour of Duty? You have to do it at an Army Reserve units or a location that has a dedicated Army computer because you can't do it from home. You can no longer do it because of the alleged hacking.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Dec 5 at 2018 11:27 AM

SMSgt Thor Merich — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 11:27:52 -0500

The apparent “double standard” for fitness is actually normal for the military. There are many folks who are amputees due to war time injuries who are still in the military. But no service would ever accept a new recruit with an amputation.

The waiver is your only hope. Or wait a bit and reapply later.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Dec 5 at 2018 1:15 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 13:15:33 -0500

http://www.usphs.gov

Call [login to see] and chat with the USPHS recruiters about PA, as well as Jr and Sr COSTEP, their analogue to ROTC, it may be allowed for grad level, as ROTC is, I'd read. Next, I'd very definitely purely as a suggestion, maybe also submit the whole thing to your Congress offices, House and Senate, all three, they'll want Privacy Act (PA) forms, it's the law, they can't help you without them. USPHS has sites about a cooperative program with the other svcs, esp for those who want psych related, I'm not saying you want psych PA, it:s merely an FYI...that being said, how far are you into the 2 yrs of PA, also, what's your GPA, and ypwhat are your actual grades, if you can say, knowing that could help myself and others suggest stuff...did you start rotations yet at all? Do you want PhD level at all? Research interests? Is the PA a masters level program? Most are, I'd just wondered...also, if so, what specific clinical areas did you want? OR at all? How much actual OR time have you had thus far, and what class.type of procedures? I was doctoral level allied health, we shut my license sevl yrs ago, due to total perm disability, I just had interest in career/educ topics...look up also the PhD programs at USUHS, not USPHS, the svc, I'm speaking now of the school, the PhDs in infectious disease, neuroscience, and molec cell bio can be attended on civilian tracks, though one can also try for active duty attendance, they also have an online certificate program, it's really jammed with applicants, for preventive med, only for active duty Guard, and Reserve however, I did check about those PhD programs, they do have civilian tracks, and, what was your assocs and/or Bach in, also, what grades and/or GPA as well, no rush, I'd be eager to hear more, the whole disqual thing, I'd seek to appeal it through your Congress offs, as I'd said, just a suggestion, out understand...as you explain the problem, it is unusual, certainly...I'd also be curious about more on the foot surgery you'd mentioned, there's a limit to what I could suggest, of course, however, the circumstances, as you relate them did interest me, certainly if I can suggest anything else, I'll certainly try, you might also ask yur own Reserve chain for any possible help getting further clinical eval and/or endorsement, it'd help to know of you've asked anyone in your unit, thus far, at all...explain as much more as you can, I'll try to reflect on the whole thing further, OK?

www.usphs.gov

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Dec 5 at 2018 1:27 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 13:27:51 -0500

1LT Private RallyPoint Member There are different standards and blocks to check for "Enlistment" Vs " Reenlistment" vs "Retention in service" So yes its entirely believable you can be fit for service or even reenlistment and not "Enlistment"
The Recruiter has a vested interest in your entrance to the Navy.. Ask, listen, execute, Trust but verify.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2018 10:24 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 22:24:22 -0500

Look up your condition in DoDI 6130.30. Yes, it makes a difference going active duty.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2018 10:17 AM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Dec 2018 10:17:42 -0500

I went through a similar situation trying to transition between Army Reserve to Air National Guard this year. I had a 6-year break in service and during that time I had a surgery for a torn labrum in my shoulder, which MEPS initially DQ'd me on the basis of initial accession standards. No matter if you currently serve or are prior service they will treat you like a new recruit during the pre-MEPS physical process.

I had to submit all of my pre/post surgical records, my physical therapy records and an updated eval from my PT saying I met standards for return to duty. The ANG puts all of this through a waiver process and -- IF that gets approved -- MEPS will bring you in. Here's where it gets weird.

Even after the FIRST Navy waiver just to get to MEPS, there is a strong possibility the doc at MEPS could DQ you on paper for a PULHES score of 3 or 4 even though you pass all of the tests at MEPS. Don't lose hope at this point. All this means is the MEPS doc does not want to sign off and they are covering themselves in a sense. The Navy can override this with a SECOND waiver.

Long story short, it will still come down to a Navy DR overriding MEPS two separate times. I passed both of my waivers for ANG, and depending on the physical nature of the job you are looking to go into, there is a decent chance of clearing waivers right now since recruiting is looking to make numbers and prior service experience is valued.

So the process for me was: (1) get first waiver to go to MEPS (2) take MEPS physical (3) get second waiver to override MEPS. Certainly they can say no at any point, but if you have positive recovery results and demonstrate the physical capabilities to perform your job, you have a shot.

I hope this helps and best of luck.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2018 7:36 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 19:36:04 -0500

Thank you for everyone’s input. I sincerely appreciate it. I’m still waiting to hear back from the waiver. It’s been about a week thus far since my last status update.