My recruiter in South Carolina recently sent my packet to the Air Force Board for me to be considered for commission into the Air Force. Everything in the packet is good (good references, good interview, 3.67 GPA, etc). The only drawback was that my hearing was at a H3. I hear perfectly fine but just barely (one tone) missed being a H2. I don't use hearing aids, my hearing is great for normal conversation, I just can't hear the low tones. What I don't understand is why my recruiter did not seek a waiver for my hearing before submitting me. Can I be accepted as a Air Force nurse and then get the waiver? Will I even need a waiver? Does the Air Force use a different system for processing individuals then MEPS? I know the Army uses Meps but they have their own as well, is the Air Force the same? Can they just review my hearing tests and change me in the Air Force system? I did submit a hearing test I received from a civilian doctor in my packet.
If I have to have a waiver can someone respond and let me know what the process is?
I don't want to be declined just because my recruiter didn't submit a waiver before submitting me to the board.
Focus on the beeps.. get a good seal around your headphones... don't worry about it yet buddy. Good luck on your test. If you fail again, try and be personable and see if they will restest you.... a little spirit can go a long ways.
Thank you for your response. I have spoke to my recruiter who said they want me start the process for a hearing waiver by sending me back to MEPS for a hearing test. However, I'm concerned I'll do the same on the test again.
Has anyone on here ever received a waiver from the Air Force for hearing?
I have seen waivers for AF nurses for all sorts of things, but I cannot remember off the top of my head if I have seen one for a hearing waiver or not.
I did not go through meps I went through flight medicine...
I knew exactly what my sticking points were the day of the physical (kind of). What I didn't know is all the hoops my records went through to get up to the SG.
Knew my hearing was off was told no problem
Knew I had thrombocytopenia and was told that could be a problem..
Apparently my hearing was a problem that went all the way up to the SG got sent back down now after further testing its back with the SG... Second testing was done by a civilian Audiologist.
I don't know if the thrombocytopenia even came up.
I am on my third recruiter and he called today asking me about the status of my packet...
Now what I was told it seems waivers can happen at three levels
1) Depending on type the MD who did the physical
2) Commander
3) SG
The SG has the final say and if its yes I am in if its now plan B starts...
Now please note this is what I have been told and what I have experienced so far.... I don't know how much is bull and how much is not. Apparently though from reading on the site and others the waiver setup is really different for each person...
All I can say is best wishes, have patience and be very persistent.
More information.....
Waiver process:
For me I told my recruiter to bump everything up to the SG who requested further hearing tests..
The SG sent my case back down to the local level. I had a full audiology test (on my own dime) and sent the results back up to the SG. Waiver granted.
The the thrombocytopenia waiver / problem was thought to be no problem by my previous recruiter. My current recruiter found out Friday that it is still a problem and may cost me my dreams of being in the Air Force.
So a problem I have that I thought was the worse of the two seems not to be the worse of the two. I may be thinking wrong but hearing problems may endanger others but the the thrombocytopenia would be for all practical purposes only be dangerous for me.
All solutions / answers are not easy / cut and dry....
just_cause, BSN, RN
1,471 Posts
Focus on the beeps.. get a good seal around your headphones... don't worry about it yet buddy. Good luck on your test. If you fail again, try and be personable and see if they will restest you.... a little spirit can go a long ways.