What should I do if I have been partially disqualified from enlisting, pending consults, and I haven't heard from my recruiter or MEPS?

Brandon Hagen — Thu, 13 Feb 2020 15:03:24 -0500

Hello all, I am a 26 year old male wanting to serve in the Air Force (formerly planned to join the Army), and as such, I got the process started back in December 3, 2019. I went to MEPS on December 12 for testing and did well enough to proceed with enlistment (93 on CAT-ASVAB AFQT, 71 on ICTLS, and a Pass on TAPAS), and did my physical just last Tuesday (February 11, 2020). Hearing and vision tests were OK, and so were weight and height measurements, as well as most other measurements (such as BP/HR, some ortho-neuro tests), and I am waiting for my blood and urine results. However, there were some issues with my Physical that resulted in a TDQ, as well as pending Consults. The issues pointed out by the CMO were as follows: Urinalysis (Albumin), Left eye (Esotropia), Ortho-neuro manuevers (failed four), and unusual demeanor (cognitive issues). As a result, the CMO labeled me partially disqualified for service, pending a consult, and this was reported to my recruiter. On the consult, I was told that I will be re-tested on ortho-neuro maneuvers, urinalysis, possibly my left eye (may be a moot point as the CMO pointed out that my left eye may need a waiver), and psychiatric evaluation, which, depending of the outcome, may require a waiver. I would like to serve, but the consult may prevent that ambition from becoming true, and haven't heard from the recruiter or the MEPS regarding this matter since. What should I do?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2020 3:08 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Feb 2020 15:08:36 -0500

DO like everyone else that has served in the military, hurry up and wait. Nothing happens fast.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2020 3:10 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Feb 2020 15:10:02 -0500

Basically, what is probably happening is MEPS is getting appointments lined up for you in these consults. Right now, your only options are to be patient and weekly call your recruiter to see if they have an update on those consult appointments.

Response by PVT Stephen Osenegg made Feb 13 at 2020 3:34 PM

PVT Stephen Osenegg — Thu, 13 Feb 2020 15:34:54 -0500

Well, from what I see you have two options:
As the MSG said, you can hurry up and wait - play it by ear, and wait for further instruction as is typical in the military, OR you can give your recruiter a phone call (I'd recommend only doing this ONE time if at all) and ask him about what's going on. You can simply tell him you don't understand what all of this means, or what you need to do etc. and see what he says (which seems to be the case if I understood your post correctly). The other option along the same lines, is talking to your recruiter and seeking clarification - talk to him, explain to him how YOU are perceiving the situation, and ask if that's correct and/or if there's anything you can do in order to help things along.

I wish you the best of luck, MEPS can be a long, tedious process.

Response by SFC Joseph McCausland made Feb 13 at 2020 3:35 PM

SFC Joseph McCausland — Thu, 13 Feb 2020 15:35:59 -0500

Let the process play out. Go through whatever further testing that MEPS deems necessary. The fact that you were not PDQ'd give some hope that things may still work out.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2020 3:36 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Feb 2020 15:36:00 -0500

My personal experience is that consults can take a while. My first consult took a week to schedule and the results were instantly reflected in my packet. The other took 3 weeks to schedule and almost 2 months to update.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2020 7:40 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Feb 2020 19:40:50 -0500

I have to ask about the unusual demeanor... what the hell were you doing, licking windows???

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Feb 13 at 2020 10:04 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Thu, 13 Feb 2020 22:04:43 -0500

Do what was asked of you and wait it out.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2020 11:35 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Feb 2020 23:35:16 -0500

The air force? That’s the problem! Army takes more physical discrepancies!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2020 6:53 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Feb 2020 18:53:20 -0500

When it comes to getting consults, that takes a while, the recruiter isn’t gonna call you every week just to tell you we’re still waiting. Your recruiter will reach out eventually once he/she gets the consult dates. Recruiters have no control over consult scheduling. Just be patient, and if you end up disqualified GO ARMY, we accept more!

Response by Brandon Hagen made Feb 24 at 2020 9:15 PM

Brandon Hagen — Mon, 24 Feb 2020 21:15:33 -0500

Update: AF Recruiter informs of my PDQ (Perm Disqualification) due to following issues: Inability to complete several exercises and unusual movements/behavior, possible risk during basic training. Esotropia was not mentioned, either due to being mixed in with the mentioned issues, or turned out as a non-issue. Urinalysis and blood draw results also not mentioned. Recruiter also tells me that the bar of standards are set very high, and there are only few waivers. AF Recruiter passes my info to the Navy (N) Recruiter next door. The N recruiter calls me shortly thereafter, and we agree to a Wed Afternoon meeting. If the N route is also unsuccessful, I plan on talking to the Army (AR) recruiter. However, AR recruiters know me too well, so I may have to go to a different station if that's the case, but I know that the AR generally gives out more waivers compared to other branches, so it won't hurt to try, and their recruiting station is next town over, in North Natomas, Sacramento, CA (MC also has recruiting station there, while the AF and N recruiting stations are in Citrus Heights, CA). Oh well, at least I tried for the AF, but with other branches, it isn't over until either I enlist in any of the remaining branches, or I get unwaiverable PDQ's or PDQ's with rejected waivers for the other branches as well.