Trying to enlist- Airborne stamp with Med waiver

[Utah Bob]

Now bear down.

[MutherRucker]

To all that have been reading this thread...

On 13 NOV, 4 days before I was suppose to ship on my 11X opt 4 contract, I received a call from my recruiter informing me that an 18X contract will be awaiting my signature on 16 NOV at the MEPS.

With the help of 2 officers in the recruiting battalion, I sifted through the pig shit about my alleged security clearance denial, obtained a clearance as well as a Special Forces Enlistment contract.

Thanks to all that assisted me in my enlistment process. Never say die! See you at Bragg.

[SF_BHT]

You had better be in shape..... Good luck

[Menschenschreck]

I discovered this thread while searching for topics on Airborne stamps. I realize this is an old thread, but I thought that sharing my experience on the subject may help others who might be having similar hangups. I searched for any rule regarding the responses to older topics and could not find anything, so if this thread is too old for me to respond, I apologize.

In 2010 May, I attended MEPS for the first time to complete the full processing. When I was asked to express my Tensor Tympani for the Valsalva maneuver, I disclosed that I had a head cold and was very congested. The doctor responded that the Eustachian tube has nothing to do with sinuses, even though that tube is what connects one's middle ear to their pharynx; and I would have to attempt the maneuver regardless. I did and was recorded as having an unsatisfactory Valsalva.

When I requested the 18X contract, I was informed that I was not eligible because of an inability to pass the Airborne physical. I immediately spoke to the base commander and the head doctor, who both told me to get an independent medical statement that asserted my ability to perform the manuever, if I wanted to be re-tested. I obtained such a statement and returned to MEPS where I was immediately medically disqualified and dropped from a 1 to a 3. The doctor stated that the medical statement indicated a history of Eustachian tube defect, even though the only mention of it was to cite MEPS' initial assessment. I obtained another medical statement which plainly stated that MEPS had misdiagnosed me based on a sinus infection and that I did not have, nor have I ever had, Eustachian tube dysfunction. In the case of both statements, I repeatedly and successfully performed the maneuver.

Returning again, I was told that MEPS does not re-test and that I was pretty much SOL for any contract which required an Airborne stamp. My recruiter urged me to sign with Infantry. I declined, which led to some friction between the recruiting station I was using and myself.

I eventually got a medical waiver (another case of a waiver being issued in lieu of any actual medical hindrances) by intervention from a congressperson and a very nice individual from USAREC and returned to MEPS, where I was informed that Airborne does not accept medical waivers and that even if I were to be re-tested, the initial existence of the waiver would maintain my inability to obtain an Airborne stamp.

At this point in time, I switched recruiting stations and recruiters and explained the situation to him. Within a month, I had received letters of exception from Infantry, Airborne, and SF.

Two weeks ago, 2011 February, I traveled to MEPS and was able to get an 18X contract, but was still unable to get an Airborne stamp. I'm trusting that this won't be too much of an obstacle when I get to Benning and start the pipeline, though any insight on this matter would be very appreciated. Last week, I took the DLAB and qualified for all language categories. I can now focus on running, rucking, and reading all that I can to prepare for July.

What I learned is that MEPS is complex, with many places where things can go wrong, but there are ways to get around certain assessments and obstacles. There were many times when I had thoughts of taking a more available MOS, but tenacity and patience paid off. It took a total of 7 visits to MEPS and enough time on the phone to go nearly $500 over my monthly bill, but I am thankful for the experience because it centered me and helped me solidify my understanding of why I want to be in the company of the Special Forces brotherhood. Where there's a will, there's a way.

[1stindoor]

Originally Posted by Menschenschreck

... Where there's a will, there's a way.

Please keep repeating that mantra...for SF is not in your future without going through airborne school. Good luck...and keep up the good fight.

[Menschenschreck]

Thank you. I won't presume assumptions regarding my performance at selection, but I will be there and I will spend every minute until that time preparing my mind and body. The SF recruiters at Fort Stewart told me that I can receive Airborne training after SFAS, but I am and will be pursuing whatever course of action is necessary to ensure that I am allowed jump training in a way that won't be an impediment to my 18X contract.

[Dozer523]

It's up to you, go get em.
Congratulations on proving "them" wrong. I hate "them".

[Ski20]

Well this is good to know that you got a 18x contract with a med waiver. The only way I can get back in right now is too retrain with an 18x contract (but I have a med waiver). I contacted my recruiter on monday or tuesday asking about getting an Exception to Policy so I could enlist with an 18x contract with a med waiver, he said he would bring it up, but has yet to call me back. Now that I know it is possible I am going to push the hell out of it respectfully.

[Black Cloud]

I too am in the same boat. On 04JAN11 I was informed at MEPS I that I could not enlist in a MOS with a BAC slot (option 4, 40, 18X). From reading similar threads I knew that this was a possibility, so I figured I would enlist as an 11X, and later submit an ETP request and then re-no my contract. On 05JAN11 I asked my recruiter to submit an ETP request for USAREC reg 601-96, R-6, sec (a), lines 2 & 5. After 3 months of asking my station commander, on 17MAR11 he finally tells me that it was denied at battalion level within USAREC.

It was worth a shot, and I still thank Jesus, Buddha, Moses, etc. that my med waiver was approved and that my PULHES came back a picket fence. Time spent in the Infantry will not be wasted, and I will put forth my best effort, and focus on learning all that I can.

Maybe someone else will have success with the ETP request, it has happened. Best of luck.

[Woodman]

Due to injuries I sustained in highschool (none requiring surgery) I was told at MEPS I would need a med waiver to enlist.
I was granted one for entry into the Army, but I was told that needing a med waiver is itself a disqualifier for the 18x program.
My recruiter submitted a request for an exception to policy, which was denied on MAR 14.
Because I spent a year at the military academy I am considered prior service, and as such ineligible for enlistment into active duty under any contract other than 18x.
Is the new fiscal year likely to change anything?
If so, is it possible to resubmit an exception to policy request in the new fiscal year?
Otherwise joining a National Guard infanty unit and putting in a request to attend selection seems to be my only option (an option I am currently looking into).
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.

[andwerise]

Without going into all the specifics of my pity story, I figured it was worth mentioning that I also had an ETP for Med Waiver Denied by USAREC via the 18x Proponent on March 17th.

I also wanted to pass this along:

I have been told by my recruiter (who said it came from USAREC) that the ETP is a one and done deal. Once you are denied the ETP you cannot re-submit And based on what I am seeing here...it looks like they are not considering any ETP at this time, regardless of reasons. So if you have a med waiver and want to do 18X, might be best to wait until the new FY to file it. At least that is what my recruiter said he "would have advised me to do if he had known it was a one shot situation."

For those like me, stuck with a denied ETP and looking at an October ship date for 11X, might be worth a call to a National Guard SF Recruiter (POC available on here I do believe). I have been told the Guard does not have the same policy regarding recruits with medical waivers and their REP63 enlistment option (which, to the best of my research is the 18X pipeline that sends you to a Guard SF Group instead of an AD one). I should know in a few weeks if that information is accurate, but I thought I would pass that along as it seems there are more than a few guys on here in the same boat.

[andwerise]

NG wanted me to enlist in another MOS and then apply for selection once in. Although the NG success rate is quite good at selection, part time soldiering is not an option for me.

Signed 11X 2 weeks ago, will go in as an E3, and plan to volunteer for SFAS as soon as I am allowed. Rumors are you can try at OSUT, but I am patient enough that if I have to soldier through a deployment first, so be it, Ill be stronger for it.

Just wanted those out there to know, 18X slots are still available, lots of them. In fact there are more 18X available than 11X as of 2 weeks ago. The reason I mention that is because the NG SF guys tried to tell me Bragg had shut down 18X for the FY, to try and get me to abandon regular army. If your recruiter (NG or Army) tells you 18x is full, they're full of it. Unless you have a med waiver or some other problem with clearances, don't take no for an answer.

Best of luck everyone.