Trying to join again after a couple of years since trying the last time. Brief history. Was Medically Discharged in 1998 for my back. Got out and sat like a lump on a log feeling sorry for myself for a couple of years. Got gainful employment, and continued on with my life, got into cycling lost about 60 pounds from my high point. Got out of the Army at 185 pounds, ballooned up to 225 pounds in 2004, and dropped down to my current weight of 165 pounds. 38 years of age at the time of this posting. Gave myself a PT Test last week, doing 60 push-ups, 50 sit-ups (always has been my weeknees) and ran 2 miles in 14:30 and decided to try again to re-enlist. Two years ago I tried and was pretty much told that we had a better chance of my hair growing back naturally. Contacted a local recruiter and was told that if I can get the VA to give me a letter of clearnace, give up my 10% then that would be step one of about five. Thats including RE Waivers, since I have kids now, that will require a Waiver, and most likely it will be the needs of the Army, which I'm ok with, because the one thing that I understand is yes there is a good chance I will have to spend three to four years as 11 bang bang (No disrespect intended), but when re-enlistment time comes up as long as I am not an E-7 I could re-class. Which I'm not worried about, because again we have a better chance of my hair growing back naturally than going from E-3 to E-7 in four years.
My appointment with the VA is on the 15th of April, so thats the day I take my first step, whether it is forward or backwards it will be the first step. I am also aware that if the VA or MEPS says no then thats it.
Try again and again and again. Recruiters love to see motivation. It's not the same as being irritating. My recruiters took me to work out and "helped" me with my diet. Aslong as I was working out hard when they took me to the YMCA they were willing to put out the effort in getting me in. My stattion commander was even willing to sit in a steam room and sauna with me. Just thinking about it, I think I am going to drop off some homemade eggrolls. They love asian food.
Good luck and don't give up even when it seems they gave up on you.
In 2007 they had not so much locked everything down for prior service, but had enough High School Students to fill classes, so I dropped it then, and then here recently My wife and I have spent alot of time thinking about the Army and the life style. We both know that this isn't one of those cases where I go to MEPS and then report to a stateside assignment for three years. Of course most people that I know think I'm nuts, but thats ok, because we are Military Vets which makes us a little off anyway I have my appiontment with the VA on the 15th, per 6th Recruiting Brigade my first step is getting a fit for duty from them. Then the fit for duty from MEPS, but if MEPS or the VA say no, then I will be officially Disqualified from military service forever, so in certain respects I'm scared.
So I have been to the VA, awaiting my blood work to come back and the VA Physician will write my letter of clearance for Active Duty, so that is one weight off my mind. Updated the Recruiter on my status and he was just as excited as I am. Hoping to have the letter in hand by Monday or Tuesday at the latest and then start sending stuff up the chain. I'll keep you guys and gals posted. If anyone is reading (LOL).
Check if you require a medical waiver and if you can obtain one at this time due to current overstrength... several enlistment changes have been made for PS Members. Your recruiter should be able to pull the latest information.
The big deal with waivers and such is mostly ARNG right now with the latest SMOMs out.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: RakkasanDragon,
I will require and being told that the waiver is still avaialable, as it is medical and moral. From what I can gather my previous MOS is needed so where as I still have an uphill fight, it is still possible, weather that be before or after summer is still to be deteremined.
Thanks for the encouragement. I'm feeling anxious. I still haven't recieved my letter yet, although if that bad boy isn't here tomorrow I will doing the follow up phone call. Going thru all of my civilian education to see how I'm looking on points, maxed if I did the formula correctly. I don't plan on being an E-4 for longer than 18 months, although I'm hurting on the awards section. Military Education I'm ok on, so Max the PT test and hit expert at the range I should be sitting at the 550-600 range, of course that also pending a really good board showing. Again going on past expeirence as I really need to find the AR, FM or whatever it is for promotion.
See I figured out how to be productive during my sit around and wait stage. Current PT test score is 255.
I GOT MY LETTER..................... Yeah baby, Notified the recruiter and made me "the" appointment for Monday afternoon. My recruiting SGT was short sweet to the point. "Then only thing open to prior service at this time is Infantry". I'm cool with that. Seriously. Not at the point of offending, but even if my math is wrong on the promotiion formula by even 100, I'm still promotable. Again this time is about doing it right. Not wasting my time or talents in the Army. I've been to the "ville" and partied. I've shown up to PT still drunk from the night before get a mile and a half into a run, thrown up and continued on. I've already slept with a strange woman on four different continents and recieved free beer on Five.
Thanks for the responses. My wife and I were talking about it yesterday, she is still hoping that something will change at MEPS and they will offer something other than combat arms, but as she says "Even if you do end up in infantry I have faith that you will be fine." So my wife is continuing to remain on board with this and is currently looking at the main PCS locations coming out of Benning. Her top two favorites at the moment is Germany and Hawaii. Which I think could be said for all wifes.
Oldervet, I should rise above their antics, I mean afterall I have had bad relationships last longer than 3 months.
Just returned from the Recruiters Office, so this is the Status of myself, We filled out the Medical Pre-Screening Forms, Question and Answer stuff, then submitted a copy of my VA Clearance Letter, I personally wrote a letter stated that there is no longer an issue and gave examples of things that I am currently doing to show there is no longer issue, ie. Running, Cycling and so on. Lastly because I heeded the advice of my senior NCO's and obtained copies of my 201, Medical and Dental Files and also submitted the copy of the MRB when Fort Campbell discharged me. This is being submitted to USAREC for review. 7 to 10 Days I will have my response. Appearantly from what I'm being told, this is the hard part. I make it past this then my odd's go from 65% to 90% to re-enlisting. If you pray, please pray for me.
Hey guys, so MEPCOM wanted a statement from me stating that I have not seen a civilian doctor since discharge for my back as well as a letter from the VA stating that I have not utilized their services since discharge. Got both and they are being submitted by COB today, so "In Theory" I should be at MEPS for a physical by the first week of June. So for those lurking and who are needing recommendations, I would recommend that if you have never used the VA system, get that letter, get the letter of clearance from a VA Doctor, they will be two seperate letters as well as letter stating that your previous condition is no longer a condition. As always any other questions comments or concerns, let us know. We are here to help and encourage.
So here is something else that my wife and I were talking about. Yesterday when I was at the recruiters, is the fact that he eluded to the fact that during my physical my previous medical record will not be in play. Their decision will be based soley on the physical that day. Per USAREC they still have to do physical only, the first time I go up, although there is the possibility that they could do an exception of the day of my physical, which begs the question. Is MEPS still boring?
Mezagog, my MEPS was anything but boring. We got a wake up at 4:15 to go down stairs, eat breakfast and be on the bus by 5:15. Once we arrived at meps we were processed in (everything is done by fingerprints now). After processing you are sent to your service rep. He sent us to medical. At medical you do paperwork for the first hour then, then they start doing all the testing. Urinalysis, blood work, eyes, hearing, physical inspection and height and weight. Then you get to do some creative moves in your underwear like the "duck walk" too much fun! Not a bad experience at all. I am over 40 so, I had to come back and get the over 40 physical at meps 3 weeks later. They made me fast for blood tests then, I went to a couple of civilian Docs for a glaucoma test and EKG. After my blood work comes back, which is supposed to be next week. My recruiter said he has to get a rank determination then I will be able to sign on the digital line! I recieved ones across the board so far, just waiting on the blood work. Good luck to you and stay on your recruiter's butt before they cut us off!
I am needing some guidance. I have an RE3P discharge code from the Navy. I attempted to enlist into the Army and got a consult for my knee. My waiver was sent up and denied. I did not have any documentation stating that my knee is not an issue. My recruiter said that I have to wait 6 months to resubmit the waiver. The time has passed and I am now ready to get this going. I have not utilized the VA in any way and am in good shape. What is the best plan of attack here? Please advise. Thanks.
I have my appiontment with the VA on the 15th, per 6th Recruiting Brigade my first step is getting a fit for duty from them. Then the fit for duty from MEPS, but if MEPS or the VA say no, then I will be officially Disqualified from military service forever, so in certain respects I'm scared.
