I just wanted to stop by and give an update. I received word today that I was medically disqualified for one time "bilateral kidney stone" event in 2005. It was a 2mm stone that was passed after 3 days of intense pain. Since then no problems/recurrences. 3 months ago I had my physician give me the "astronaut physical", LOL, which I passed with flying colors. My physician was surprised my resting pulse rate is 52 beats per minutes. At 44 years of age I am in excellent shape consistenly running and working out for 30 yrs. I had high hopes. But no waivers on this one. Oh well. Time to initiate plan B.
Good Luck to all. And thanks again for having me on your site.
i appreciate the support. i will follow-up with lt smith.
jdcitizen,
it did not go to the sg. only meps physician reviewing er abstract only.
i would hope if you get in touch with lt. smith that you get the recommendation to ask the sg for review. from my readings sometimes the response is quick and other times not.
by the way i just got off the army web site they are now offering two year enlistments for "older" (43-60) health care providers?
"
the united states army medical department announced recently it has reduced the military service obligation period down to two years for experienced health care professionals aged 43 to 60 years old, who are seeking appointment as an officer in all army medical corps.
through its new officer accession pilot program, qualified health care professionals can now join the army medical department as commissioned officers for their initial appointment and upon completion of their initial two-year service commitment will have no further obligation; however, those individuals may seek to extend their term of service in either active or reserve status should they choose to do so.
"through this program, the army is looking to attract highly skilled health care professionals across a variety of fields who want to rediscover their passion for medicine by serving their country and working with one of the best health care teams in the world," said col. rafael c. montagno, medical recruiting brigade commander, u.s. army recruiting command.
to be eligible for service, the volunteer must meet the eligibility criteria outlined below:
be a citizen of the united states for regular army, or a permanent resident for army reserve and able to obtain a secret clearance
be of good moral character
demonstrate an understanding and proficiency in the english language
have completed all educational/specialty licensing and certification requirements in the specific medical field in which the individual seeks appointment as prescribed by the army surgeon general and applicable law, regulation and policy
be capable of completing the full two-year service obligation subsequent to signing a contract (which must be done prior to his or her 62nd birthday)
"for the many practicing health care professionals who are interested in military service, the normal service obligation was just too difficult," said colonel montagno. "by reducing the service commitment time, we're able to bring experienced and knowledgeable practicing physicians, nurses, dentists and other medical professionals that have immediate,positive impact on the care we provide for our soldiers and their families."
officers in the army health care team are free to concentrate on caring for patients and developing innovative new techniques and procedures, while working with the latest technology and life-saving equipment.
qualified officers may also be eligible for year-to-year board certification pay, additional special pay and incentive special pay, though they will not be eligible for accession bonuses or multi-year specialty pay incentives.
benefits of being an officer in the army medical department also include:
opportunities to travel throughout the world
a comfortable home on-post or a generous housing allowance if you live off-post
paid continuing education courses, seminars and conferences
no-cost or low-cost medical and dental care for you and your family
a flexible, portable retirement savings and investment plan similar to a 401k
I appreciate the support. I will follow-up with Lt Smith.
JDCitizen,
It did not go to the SG. Only MEPS physician reviewing ER abstract only.
Tell your recruiter that you wish to pursue a waiver. The MEPS doctor evaluates people in accordance with the standards. If you do not meet a standard, he/she can either recommend approval or disapproval of a waiver. It depends on the individual doctor as to whether they are inclined to recommend one way or the other, but their word is not final.
I have seen waivers from all four services (plus National Guard) that came through approved after the MEPS doctor recommended disapproval. It will help to have a statement from your attending physician who gave you the recent "astronaut" physical and from the treating urologist, perhaps with a statement about the unlikely chances of recurrence.
Submit those with your request for waiver and allow the service to do their job of evaluating you. Also remember that what gets you DQ'd and turned down from one service may not disqualify you from all services. They all have their own standards. and ALL of them vary with the recruiting environment. Your waiver may not be approved now, but six months from now, they may be chomping at the bit to get you in.
If this is what you want, don't give up without a fight!
I just yesterday went to MEPS. I was recommended for a waiver. How long does this process usually take? I was kind of nervous when they wrote disqualified...then the final review recommended this.
Specializes in Cardiac Tele, Cath Lab, ICU, ICUSD.
I just yesterday went to MEPS. I was recommended for a waiver. How long does this process usually take? I was kind of nervous when they wrote disqualified...then the final review recommended this.
The waiver process depends on what type of waiver you need. Waivers can be approved anywhere from minutes to weeks after being submitted. I think, but dont quote me on it, moral waivers take the longest because they sometimes have to all the way up to USAREC. Medical waivers (unless they are waiting on test results or you have a consult) usually dont take as long depending on the condition or injury you have that needs to be reviewed.
Sorry that was so vague. I know youre frustrated because its just one more thing to have to wait on, on top of the length of time it takes to get to boards for commissioning. Good luck to you!!!
The waiver process depends on what type of waiver you need. Waivers can be approved anywhere from minutes to weeks after being submitted. I think, but dont quote me on it, moral waivers take the longest because they sometimes have to all the way up to USAREC. Medical waivers (unless they are waiting on test results or you have a consult) usually dont take as long depending on the condition or injury you have that needs to be reviewed.
Sorry that was so vague. I know youre frustrated because its just one more thing to have to wait on, on top of the length of time it takes to get to boards for commissioning. Good luck to you!!!
Lets see waiver can come from just about all levels (I probably left some out but this is hat I am familiar with):
1) Head doctor
2) Commander
3) SG
With number #1 and #2 what I have been told they can just walk the files up the hall to his/her office. If it goes to the SG it can be quick/slow; days to weeks to months... Also: Welcome to the holiday season things drag on.
Kidney stones are waiverable. I am living proof. I got a waiver. You just have to fight it. My first recruiter said I was dq'd but I got a new recruiter and they submitted the request for a waiver and I got it.
Tell your recruiter to look at COMNAVCRUITCOMINST 1131.2C and look for conditions that are waiverable. Kidney stones are listed!
I've heard of people re-submitting and eventually going through? I would also suggest trying both AF and Navy too, it might seem futile but, I'm a three time submitter. :)
I just yesterday went to MEPS. I was recommended for a waiver. How long does this process usually take? I was kind of nervous when they wrote disqualified...then the final review recommended this.
Wow! This worries me as I also had a kidney stone. I had to go in for removal bc it was stuck in my ureter at the entrance into the bladder. I also asked the doctor for some meds for depression. I did not end up taking them and was never seen by a psych doctor so I was never diagnosed as depressed. I am interested in what you find out. Let me know.
Depression is sticky, I suggest if you were never formally diagnosed, lacked SI and it was only transient 'blues' that you keep it to yourself. No need to get DQ'd over transient life stressors that bring you down unless they significantly impacted or currently impact you in debilitating ways at different levels of functioning.
the united states army medical department announced recently it has reduced the military service obligation period down to two years for experienced health care professionals aged 43 to 60 years old, who are seeking appointment as an officer in all army medical corps. 
Finalapproach
8 Posts
To all,
I appreciate the support. I will follow-up with Lt Smith.
JDCitizen,
It did not go to the SG. Only MEPS physician reviewing ER abstract only.