My son just talked with a 6 year experience recruiter.....here's what we found out, Possible RP's Mom

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Permalink Reply by Carlotta (Jason's mom) on September 29, 2008 at 3:09pm

Judi I am not sure if this would keep him out of the Navy. I mean the surgery was soooo long ago and as long as he has been cleared by his doctors why should it matter. I would start right now getting all of his medical records so when he goes to the MEPS he would have proof in his hands that he is fit for the Navy. Also, you make sure you make copies of the paperwork yourself for your records. I wouldn't stop until someone give me a good enough explanation of why he is not fit for the Navy. Hope this helps and let us know how things go.

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Permalink Reply by Irene McClure on September 29, 2008 at 4:10pm

I would agree-that you get the Dr.'s records and have them handy to show that he is well capable of serving our country.I would make sure you have copies of everything for your own records. Aformal letter from the Dr. stating that he has been cleared of medical care due to the surgery.Good luck and kep us informed.

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Permalink Reply by debbyl on September 29, 2008 at 4:21pm

Judi - My daughter enlisted three months ago and was temporarily disqualified one month ago. Over a year and a half ago it was discovered that she had a very small, benign, prolactin tumor in her pituitary gland. She was put on medication - which simply regulates her prolactin hormone - and the tumor began shrinking. At the recruiters request we provided them with her medical history - including MRI images of the tumor.

My son enlisted six months ago when his sister brought home info from the recruiter. He got a perfect score on his ASVAB. The nuclear people were on the phone with the recruiters boss (they see the scores almost instantly) while my son was failing the physical - his heart rate was over 100. The recruiters boss had my son visit the local firestation morning and evening for three days to have the EMTs take/record his heart rate and blood pressure. They then submitted the information to somebody who waived his medical and my son went off to boot camp. When his paperwork was sent home in the box with his clothes and shoes, I noticed that they had waived his medical condition of arrythmia.

My daughter is in better physical condition than my son was. One in 1000 people have these benign tumors - most people don't even realize they have one. When the recruiter told my daughter that she was temporarily disqualified I called him and asked why the Navy was willing to waive the arrythmia - which to this mother's mind is a far more serious condition than a useless bump the size of a hangnail. It was a rhetorical question.

Don't bother providing the recruiter with the medical history unless they ask for it. Do, however, have a doctor's signed statement that your son's surgical scar will not have any impact on his ability to perform the duties he would be assigned to. I wish you and your son better luck than my daughter has received so far.

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Permalink Reply by myrna fawbush on September 29, 2008 at 4:29pm

I know first hand, they will want medical records and a letter from Dr. stating he has been cleared of everything. Whatever he does don't tell them if he has ever used and inhaler, they will automatically think he has asthma, we had to go and have a test to prove that he was fine, it just held him up from swearing in, set him back about a month. Good luck.

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Permalink Reply by Toni Ann on September 29, 2008 at 4:29pm

WHen my husband joined they asked him if he had ever had any broken bones or surgeries, and he told his recruiter yes, they asked him when and he told him when he was very young. and the recruiter said if it was over 10 years ago and that there wasnt any problems since then that it didnt matter. so being that its over 10 years it shouldnt matter. but i would check up with his doctor and let the recruiter know.

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Permalink Reply by Hoppi on September 29, 2008 at 6:18pm

As was said, get the medical paper work and take it to the recruiter. Even if the recruiter says, don't worry about it. Take it to MEPS, if they say don't worry about it, take it with and have your son tell the people who ask at the moment of truth. Make sure it is put in his Navy medical record, so if it comes up at a latter date it is their.

Stay postive, the recuiter just dosen't want to do the extra paper work. Stay on top of them

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Permalink Reply by Joy W on September 29, 2008 at 9:03pm

They have to list all scars, doesnt mean he'll disqualify cause of a scar. Did he mention the cranium condition? all prior and current medical conditions must be disclosed, if not that can be a disqualifcation for nondisclosure of medical. Good luck hope it goes okay.

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Permalink Reply by Steve's Mom on September 30, 2008 at 1:37am

this will require a waiver, have the recruiter begin the process, it can take a while. Do not take no for an answer, or it could have him sitting in a temp holding untill a decision is reached. It is better to get it done before he possibly leaves. In the mean time, begin collecting any and all doctor records on this condition. It is not necessaryly a dq condition, however, it may influence the jobs that are available to him. And, it may take a while to get the paper work done, if the mep requires follow up doctors opinions, they will pay for it. Tell your future recruit to take it one step at a time and jump through the hoops if this is what he wants to do.
Shell

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Permalink Reply by Chris A. on September 30, 2008 at 2:44am

My son was briefly on a medication about 5 years ago that raised a red flag at MEPS. He had to provide all the medical info and he was granted a waiver. When he got to GL he called home about week 4 saying he needed our doctor's fax number as they were questioning his waiver and wanted more info. The waiver was upheld and he thought everything was OK. He was due to go to Pensacola after PIR but Pensacola questioned his waiver so he was stuck at GL for 6 weeks awaiting their decision. When the paperwork finally arrived it was stamped "Waiver not needed for this" so he spent all that time worrying that he'd be let go....for nothing! So don't panic, get all your ducks in a row and don't take anyone's word for anything. Be prepared to submit everything several times over and don't give up!

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Permalink Reply by maria on September 30, 2008 at 10:28am

JUDI,

I think he needs to talk to another recruiter ! I don't think that would keep your son out !! This was so long ago, he's health and strong I'm sure so hang in there. Maria

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Permalink Reply by Rob on September 30, 2008 at 9:20pm

Judi,
Start off with the first step....wait and see what the doctor who administers his physical says first. Unfortunately every MEPS has there own doctors and as much as MEPCOM tries to keep them all on the same standards the docs do sometimes have different opinions about past and present medical issues......thats why it's called "practicing" medicine. If the doc needs more medical history on it, then provide it. If not then all is well. If they want to start the waiver process for it so be it....It should only take until the last business day of the month (what they call mission night and last day for the recruiters to make monthly goal) I wouldn't stress over it until the MEPS doc makes his initial assessment.

Good Luck,
Rob

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