I’m trying to join the Air Force as a Reservist, and I was TDQ or DQ because osteochondral defect in my ankle. What are my waiver chances?

Cody Toney-Griffith — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 11:33:49 -0500

TDQ/DQ by meps doctor because of an osteochondral defect in ankle. Chances of waiver success?

Response by Cody Toney-Griffith made Nov 16 at 2020 11:34 AM

Cody Toney-Griffith — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 11:34:35 -0500

Also to add I had surgery for it, snd the meps doctor said I’m not DQ because of the surgery but because of the defect I had.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2020 11:52 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 11:52:55 -0500

Cody Toney-Griffith No one on RallyPoint can tell you your odds of being granted a waiver. Good luck.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2020 12:48 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 12:48:21 -0500

That would be a discussion between you and an Air Force reserve recruiter.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2020 1:25 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 13:25:15 -0500

6 to 5 and pick em, unless you were PDQ, then it's game over without fixing the problem and submitting a paper case to MEPS Medical.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2020 4:27 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 16:27:34 -0500

I don't know what the recruiting climate is like right now, but from experience, I can tell you that it is "POSSIBLE."
I had been PDQed from 1987 until 2007 for a congenital birth defect (due to my Dad's exposure to Agent Orange). I had the major defect surgically repaired in 1988. However, the drawdowns and smaller Military of the Clinton years meant that the Army wasn't chasing people. It sounds evil, but I waited until the mid 2000s when recruiters were literally hanging themselves because they couldn't make mission. In 2005 I found a couple of recruiters willing to put the time and effort into helping me. I did all the records collection, found out where documents had to go, and when.

The steps from that point went like this: you go to MEPS to get DQed (I know, sounds weird) because you need that documentation for the request for a medical consultation (with a DoD/MEPS approved doctor). The approval for the consult can be same day or whenever they get around to it.

Once you get the consult with the contract doctor, you will be examined, and will either be approved or not approved. If you are approved, you go back to MEPS with the form from the contract doctor saying you are good to go. Present this to the Chief Medical Officer at MEPS. S/he will then review it and stamp it "Approved." This form will then be sent up the chain to the Army Surgeon General, who will grant the medical waiver. Mine took less than 24 hours to be approved, but again, that was 2007, when the Army was hurting for warm bodies.

Once the waiver has been approved, you recruiter will schedule you for your MEPS processing when you will go through the normal procedure (minus the medical portion) to select your MOS and get a BCT and AIT date.

Again, your chances depend on the AF's need for new recruits at the particular time. Certain MEPS may be aggressively against your waiver request and process. Be strong, and don't take no for an answer unless/until the consult doctor says no. Then it's really over. Good luck!

Response by SMSgt Bob Wilson made Nov 16 at 2020 9:18 PM

SMSgt Bob Wilson — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 21:18:29 -0500

Depends on the job you are applying for and as Ted stated we really haven't a clue. Good luck.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2020 8:38 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Nov 2020 08:38:06 -0500

You might need to ask that question to the doctor(s) at the MEPS. In here, you'll find only barracks lawyers. Never ask barrack's lawyers anything about your medical. They simply don't know. I am wishing luck in getting an ETP (waiver).