What happens after Army medical waiver approval regarding MOS choosing?

Willa Scharch — Wed, 15 May 2019 08:04:54 -0400

My son was told he can not reserve a job this time and must go to Meps and see what's available. Is this true? He had a Mos reserved the first time but needed a medical waiver for astigmatism. That's been approved now but of course he lost his rsvp on the Mos. His recruiter told him he can't rsvp a Mos now and will just be flying blind going to MEPS. He said he can't even pull him in the system to see what's available. Is this all true? My son only has a few mos's he wants to do. What if he doesn't want to choose anything at that time? Will he be allowed back to Meps again? He 100% wants to join up but doesn't want to get stuck in a job he doesn't want. Thanks for any insite.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2019 8:53 AM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 May 2019 08:53:38 -0400

Recruiters are not going to Lie. I know there has always been a perception about military recruiters but what do they gain if they lie. But yes chances are he will have to go see the Guidance counselor and have to pull up what ROC/Big Army is going to offer your son on what is opened right now. You son can always walk away if they do not offer him what he wants to do in the army. sometimes they guidance counselor is able to make a swap if there is an opening for an MOS that he wants with another place I have heard this but not 100% if that is true or not. But in the end if you son doesn't want anything that is offered he does not have to take it. Have faith in your sons recruiter he wants your son to enlist and will help as much as he can but realize not everything is in the recruiters hand it goes higher.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made May 15 at 2019 9:34 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Wed, 15 May 2019 09:34:47 -0400

He can walk away if he wants or come back. They have different MOS needs at different times of the year to line up with unit shortfalls and training pipeline availability.

Agree with SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member , your son's recruiter has every incentive to get a qualified candidate to ship, they know that every MOS isn't instantaneously available though and it is not uncommon to have someone in flux for weeks or months especially if waivers are involved.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made May 15 at 2019 9:46 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Wed, 15 May 2019 09:46:40 -0400

No offense but your son has no clue what the positions are like. Putting that aside it is true that once your son is in the system, MEPS controls his destiny when it comes to an MOS assignment. In any case he will go, they will review his documentation and see what is available. The military is a huge machine, a simple phone call is not feasiblble. Also think of it this way, on the phone he cannot review information assiciated with what they would be offering, being there allows for that. He also needs to keep I. Mind that there are a lot of Citizens that want to join the service, as the services fill quotas, opportunities become more limited. Go to MEPS and get the job done. Good luck.

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made May 15 at 2019 11:57 AM

CPL Gary Pifer — Wed, 15 May 2019 11:57:19 -0400

I"d pass and go see other recruiters in a nearby city....Check out the reserves and National Guard...see what they offer...he can normally go active later....recruiters = used car salesmen.....

Response by Willa Scharch made May 16 at 2019 6:32 PM

Willa Scharch — Thu, 16 May 2019 18:32:29 -0400

Wanted to thank everyone for your comments and follow up a bit.
The biggest problem we seem to keep having is misinformation from the recruiter office. One says he one then then one says another. Like one says he cannot reserve a Mos before going to MEPS now and another says, no that's wrong and yes he can. Soo... He had another meeting today with the one who says he can reserve a Mos again and says he won't send him to Meps without a Mos locked in. Even if that means he waits a while until it opens up. He's got a career plan in mind and dosnt want to waste his time in service. So for now we are back to checking the job board a couple of times a week until the right opportunity opens up. My son just made it clear to the recruiter that he is 100% ready to go as soon as something pops up and gave him the ok to ahead and reserve one of his top choices if one comes in. Wanted the recruiter to know he wasn't just wasting their time so they will keep working with him.
Just to clarify if anyone else has the same question, they did say that like if you had wanted airborne or something special like that, you will be ineligible for that now with the waiver. But that wasn't my sons problem. We feel ike the other recruiter is just pushing him to sign up for boots out the door, more old school tactics like. Figuring the pressure of being at MEPS would make the 17 year old kid buckle and just choose anything feeling like he had to with no options.
Anyway now we wait....

Response by MSG Robert Conrad made May 17 at 2019 9:38 AM

MSG Robert Conrad — Fri, 17 May 2019 09:38:43 -0400

Something that is not being addressed is the medical waiver. Medical waivers are limiting in and of themselves. For example, there are military occupational specialties that are eliminated because of hearing loss waivers, flat feet waiver, red/green color vision, fear of heights/closed spaces, etc. Also there are unique qualifiers for some: there is a maximum height requirement for tank crewman as an example. Even past legal trouble, immediate family living abroad eliminates some jobs because of security requirements. There is a lot more complexity involved than is actually being discussed.

Response by LTC Charles T Dalbec made Feb 26 at 2020 10:58 PM

LTC Charles T Dalbec — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 22:58:38 -0500

Willa ~ I would suggest that your din does not go to MEPS to see Guidance Counselor who will actually pull up has Enlistmenf Application and merge with available training. If he dues not get what he wants at tff gd at time he can ask to immediately stop the processing and go home. The Recruiter will not be pleased but your Son is the applicant not the Recruiter. Does that help?