would MEPS take a while to get back to me after i resubmitted my medical paperwork?

Jalal Khan — Sat, 27 Jul 2019 04:41:27 -0400

Hi,
I started the ARMY enlistment process almost 4 months ago. since i have a plate in my foot my sargant told me that we would need to submit all the paperwork to MEPS regarding my foot which we did the next day. My sargant made my file and sent it to MEPS for them to review. he sent it and after waiting for 2 months my sarge called me and said that he called MEPS to get a status on my file and found out that MEPS had lost my paperwork or they never received it. so i went the same day signed all the paperwork again and we sent it in. its been about 3 weeks that i haven’t heard from MEPS. im well aware that MEPS take their time with reviewing paperwork which im totally fine with and i understand im not the only one waiting there’s hundreds of other recruits waiting as well. i just wanna know if MEPS would speed up my process a little bit since i had to wait for 2 months for nothing. i didnt wanna ask this question since alot of other recruits had asked in the past the same question and there's only one answer to that which is “to wait” but i feel like my case is a bit different and will appreciate to get some helpful answers
Best Regards

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2019 8:01 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Jul 2019 08:01:42 -0400

Sorry man they won't speed it along there are many people involved. It was not jist one persons fault. The person (CMO) that actually gives the go ahead for u to physical is not going to rush because somebody else made a mistake.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2019 8:07 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Jul 2019 08:07:23 -0400

Lost paperwork doesn't move you to the front of the cue. There is a prior post where someone gave an excellent breakdown of the time period. Six weeks from receipt of the documents doesn't sound unusual. Don't be surprised if there is a request for additional documentation.
It is very rarely "sarge," and then only when you've developed a very strong relationship with that NCO, but mainly it's only in movies.
Drill Sergeants really like being called "sarge." Especially when you say "Hey, sarge," or "Look, sarge," though (that was sarcasm).

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2019 9:41 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Jul 2019 09:41:52 -0400

There is a saying you need to go ahead and get used to right now if you want to adapt quickly to the military. “Hurry up and wait”. Everything in the military works this way. “I need X document signed and returned to me ASAP” you give said document. Then months go by waiting.

That packet of paperwork has to pass multiple desks before it makes it to the final destination and your appointment gets scheduled at MEPS. Having a plate in your foot most likely after your first visit to MEPS they are going to need a medical waiver for your foot so they will probably send you to an ortho doc to determine if the plate and screws are stable enough for military service. That will require time to get scheduled. Then you would see that specialist and they write an opinion and you go back to MEPS. Then they do their thing and then they send the medical waiver off to command to be reviewed and approved or denied. What I am saying is even if you are 100% within standards for military standards the process of enlistment can take a few months especially during peace time. If you have issues that require waivers well that makes a long process.

Trust me I know this because it took nearly 3 years for me to commission from the time I met with a recruiter and finally received orders. Some of it was due to me and other things were due to paperwork being lost, miscommunications between different people, etc.. It happens. If you really want to enlist that’s awesome, but be prepared to have patient and hurry up and wait. The faster you adapt this mindset the easier transition to military life you will have.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2019 11:29 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Jul 2019 11:29:00 -0400

I needed a wavier for a small issue when I first joined. My recruiter was really good, but there was still a wait time. I first went at the beginning of March and didn't swear in until May 30. So it may take a few months just have to be patient-and once a month touch base with your recruiter

Response by SPC Ted Ronayne made Jul 27 at 2019 10:07 PM

SPC Ted Ronayne — Sat, 27 Jul 2019 22:07:24 -0400

You're going to have to wait. TBH, you're a number until you hit E5, and since you're just a civilian, don't expect to be pushed to the front of the line for anyone's convenience other than the army's. It sucks but such is life. I went through the same thing.

It took me 10 months to join the army due to medical waivers and the like (prior surgery) my packet ended up in Fort Knox being reviewed. This kind of thing takes time. Keep at it, paperwork sucks but it's what keeps the army moving.

Second... Point of clarity. It's spelled "Sergeant" not "Sargant" and when shortening the word, the most you'll hear is "sarn't" and even then some NCOs are particular about it. No one says "Sarge" this isn't a WWII Hollywood movie.

Also, since you're going into the army, I'm gonna give you a little hip-pocket training while I've got your attention.

In the army, don't excuse yourself for asking a question. Don't offer an explanation as to why you're asking the question. It's implied that you want further information since you're asking the question. If you do that at basic training you're going to get chewed out for wasting more time in conversation. The army is all about bottom line up front (getting out the question or info you need to convey with no fluff). Ask your question and get your answer. Only offer the "why" if you're asked for it.

On a similar note, if you mess up, don't offer excuses and try to explain yourself. The army is all about business, it's not personal. (even if it is) just keep your mouth shut and answer the questions asked of you.

I know I may sound blunt, but it's just the army way of doing things, especially during initial entry training.

Best of luck, I hope it all clears up soon!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2019 10:04 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Aug 2019 22:04:04 -0400

It all depends on what you submitted for medical pre-screening and how many pages your med read is. If done proper then regardless of the med read size it should take no longer than 30 days

Response by Kiersten Childs made Aug 12 at 2019 5:28 PM

Kiersten Childs — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 17:28:41 -0400

That happened to me too. I had to submit paperwork for two screws in my ankle and MEPS lost my paperwork. I resubmitted it and it only took a week to get back to me after that. Initially, I had waited a month and a half before I found out my paperwork had been lost. It probably will depend on the busyness of the MEPS, the time of year, the severity of your injury, and other factors. I don't think anyone can give you an exact answer because getting records like that approved is a case by case thing. They can't put you in front because you have a special case and have been waiting longer. There are probably several people with the same kind of records trying to get their records read. It sucks but you have to be patient.

Response by AB James Pannone made Jan 1 at 2020 2:03 PM

AB James Pannone — Wed, 01 Jan 2020 14:03:45 -0500

Sorry some how the site had me as a Med Tech. I finally made corrections.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2020 5:17 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Oct 2020 05:17:51 -0400

Welcome to the beaurocracy. If the first submission was lost/not received, your second submission will not be given any priority. You effectively had to go back to the end of the line.

Response by PO2 Damien Holliday made Aug 6 at 2021 8:03 PM

PO2 Damien Holliday — Fri, 06 Aug 2021 20:03:40 -0400

As a prior recruiter, MEPs will drag on it and it will sit in limbo for a while. I’ve seen BUMEDs come back fast and slow.