Final fight and the deck is stacked against me!!! [Archive] - Marine Corps

usmcdjcs1ssy

01-20-11, 07:01 PM

Hello Marines,
I recently posted about me being overweight well I was able to get down to weight. However, the UNEXPECTED happened. I was disqualified for alopecia areata even though my recruiter had been told that it wasn't disqualifying. The problem is not only was I disqualified but the doc at MEP's DID NOT recomend me for a waiver.

Alopecia is a simple hair loss condition were I have lost hair in a few spots, but has no impact on me physically or mentally.

My recruiter put in for my waiver but what is the likely hood of me getting the waiver. I dont understand how hair loss could disqualify someone, does anyone have any advice???

Thank you so much Marines, I was really looking forward to joining the ranks of the few the proud. But suddenly it all came to a screaching halt and I am very discouraged!!!

Phantom Blooper

01-20-11, 08:38 PM

If you are found to be permanently disqualified, the MEPS doctor will indicate on your medical form whether or not he/she recommends a waiver in your case. This is the very first step in the medical waiver process. When making the recommendation, the doctor will consider the following:

1. Is the condition progressive?
2. Is the condition subject to aggravation by military service?
3. Will the condition preclude satisfactory completion of prescribed training and subsequent military duty? 4. Will the condition constitute an undue hazard to the examine or to others, particularly under combat conditions?

Once the doctor makes his/her recommendation, MEPS is completely out of the medical waiver process. The rest is up to the service you are trying to join.
The medical records and the doctor's recommendation goes to the recruiting commander (or his/her designated representative) for the service you're applying to join. The commander/representative decides whether or not to request a medical waiver. In making this decision, the commander/representative considers the doctor's recommendation, along with two additional factors:

1. Is the recruit *EXCEPTIONALLY* qualified, otherwise? (ASVAB scores, college credits, physical fitness, etc.) 2. How are current recruiting goals? How bad does that particular branch of the service need your particular warm body at this particular point in time?

usmcdjcs1ssy

01-20-11, 08:47 PM

Thank You Sir. That information really helped and is a little comforting because I have college credits, JROTC, 300 PFT, and high test scores going for me. However, the doctor was against the waiver.

Do any of you Marine have an idea of how many waivers are being approved???

Phantom Blooper

01-21-11, 06:24 AM

I don't know the statistics.....

And I can't say what is happening with the Marine Corps in 2011...other than what I have read or been told when posing a question to a recruiter.

I know that you are female.....but in the late 70's early 80's I can't recall the exact year....a young man came to my platoon with the condition you have and went to boot camp...SOI and the fleet and was completely void of body hair... and was able to enlist.....and was a fine Marine.

So it was possible then.....it might be possible now.....waivers are hard to come by......but you never know.

I would say keep up with your recruiter and keep pushing for the waiver until you exhausted ALL efforts.

Good luck!

usmcdjcs1ssy

01-21-11, 07:05 AM

Thank you sir,
I will definitely keep fighting til the very end. I hope this all comes thru and the doc said males can get in with it but females normally can't.

But staying strong and motivated

SGT7477

01-21-11, 09:13 AM

Keep up the fight, Good Luck, Semper Fidelis.

Marine3451

01-21-11, 11:32 AM

I know a Marine that has a white spot in his hair and he was able to enlist. I was once told MEPS actively tries to disqualify everyone.

elliscraig12

01-21-11, 02:52 PM

I know a Marine that has a white spot in his hair and he was able to enlist. I was once told MEPS actively tries to disqualify everyone.

I was told the same thing when I was trying to get back in. They look for any little thing just to keep you out, but hair loss? Go to your personal Dr. and see if he can help. Like maybe a shampoo or something with a script.

Quinbo

01-21-11, 03:02 PM

03Mike

01-21-11, 04:31 PM

Take a minute for some perspective.

Right now, the military in general, and the Marine Corps in particular, have more people wanting to enlist than they have slots for. Especially for key jobs / MOSs. For this reason, they are looking for reasons to disqualify people rather than reasons to accept them.

With that as background, take this little piece of advice.

Most folks, when DQ'd and told that they won't get a waiver, will go "Shoot! Oh well, I tried" and then will go on to something else. Those who fight for what they want will often get the waiver, regardless of what the initial response was.

Consider this to be the first "test" - if you quit and take their word for it, they'll gladly give your slot to someone else.

Now, I'm not saying that you'll get your waiver - I have no way of knowing - but I've seen other young folks who were in similar situations. Some fought for what they wanted, and got it. Others walked away. Stick to your guns, keep up the good fight, and hold your head high. You may make it yet.

0351 Corporal

01-21-11, 04:33 PM

While you're waiting to hear something about your waiver, write your Congressman. The Congressman will request a MEPS review. When the review is requested usually MEPS will have the service process the waiver as a priority, or have the MEPCOM surgeon review it, and then possible approve you. Keep in mind, anytime anyone wanting to join the military has to depend on any kind of medication on a regular basis, they will use that as the reason for disqualification. If you really believe you were born to earn the Eagle Globe And Anchor, then don't give up, keep pressing and exauhsting all your resources.

Good Luck! :marine:

elliscraig12

01-21-11, 06:19 PM

Craig, I don't think you have a clear understanding of what alopecia is. There is no magic shampoo that will suddenly cause the growth of eyebrows or hair on your arms etc.

My personal opinion, which with a buck and a quarter will buy you a cup of coffe, is it should not be a disqualifying factor.

I worked in a drug store for 10 years. I'm not a Pharmacist or anything but they have medical shampoos and creams to treat this. A friend of mine had the same thing. A specialist can tell you if it will work or not.

Phantom Blooper

01-21-11, 06:21 PM

elliscraig12

01-21-11, 06:29 PM

I am not trying to make light of this kids situation....but if there was a shampoo that would promote hair growth.....I would definitely buy some to put on my solar panel at the back of my chrome dome.....

In the meantime I am destined to wear a cover to keep my solar panel from over charging and frying my brain housing group.:beer:
There is. It has Aloe Vera in it. I just can't remember the name of it. I've personally seen it work. It did a good job. It just takes a little time.

usmcdjcs1ssy

01-21-11, 07:16 PM

Thank You to all of the Marines that have taken the time to respond to my post. I am going to continue fighting until I have excerted all measures possible.

I have talked to doctors about this condition and there are some shampoos that may help and I have started one.

Thanks again to all Marines and will do whatever it takes for them to take me seriously!!!

Marine84

01-21-11, 07:22 PM

PB your brain housing group got fried a long time ago - LOL!

Phantom Blooper

01-21-11, 07:48 PM

Actually Kim I was trying my best to keep this thread from going south.....

The actual reason for for wearing a cover over my solar panel is to keep it from over charging.....since is the solar panel for my sex machine!:beer:

usmcdjcs1ssy

04-20-11, 09:29 PM

Hello Marines,
So today is exactly 3 months since I was disqualified. I have not be denied or approved for my waiver, I am still hoping that my waiver comes back. I contacted my recruiter today and he said that BUMED had a huge officer selection thing going on and that had postponed the other waivers.

Hopefully, with in 2 weeks I will be able to repost here saying I got my waiver. I am starting college next week towards my A.S in Criminal Justice.

I would like to thank all of you Marines that have supported me and given me words of encouragement.

P.S: my weight is down and my ist has also improved while waiting!!!

F.A.H- 86 secs
Situps- 100
1.5 run- 11:45

Sgt Leprechaun

04-20-11, 09:58 PM

Good deal. Please keep us updated. I'll leave the thread open for you!

usmcdjcs1ssy

04-21-11, 11:43 AM

Thank you sir, and I will difinitely keep all of you Marines updated!!!

usmcdjcs1ssy

05-19-11, 11:58 AM

13 days and I will finally be a Marine Corps Poolee. I started p.t'ing with my recruiter yesterday and it was a great experience and feeling, to know that it is all becoming real. Is sooooooo exciting.
However, these next couple of days I have to cut some weight to make weight at MEPs. I am 169 my max weight is 169 but my recruiter wants me at 165.

Thanks Again to all of you Marines for all you have done for me and the other poolees/wanabes.

usmcdjcs1ssy

05-19-11, 03:59 PM

Congratulations, I was just reading this thread, then saw how old it was and was really hoping for some good news at the end, and just got it after reading your post just now.....I'm glad things turned out well. I know the Corps can be selective and can disqualify folks for this and that reason, some reasons much more important than others, but for something like this, to DQ someone, just because they CAN?
Glad common sense prevailed in this one.

Thank you so much Sir. I was so excited and will continue to keep you all updated as I progress on my journey to become a Marine. I was also very shocked when they dqued me over this, but I also am very glad that common sense prevailed and I'm on my way to become a Marine.

Artemis

05-19-11, 04:03 PM

Congrats and good luck.

usmcdjcs1ssy

05-23-11, 07:46 PM

Hello Marines,
Just another quick update, I went to my recruiters today and we finished refilling out all of my paper work today so I am squared away for MEP's next wednesday. My recruiter also weighed me today and I was exactly at weight but he want me down another pound or two just to be safe.
I am scheduled to run my IST this wednesday unless something changes, just to make sure I am able to meet the requirements I have absolutely NO worries about that.

I will give you fine Marines another update later this week.

Thanks again for all y'all have done for me and this great country.

chulaivet1966

05-23-11, 09:48 PM

usmcdjcs1ssy

05-23-11, 10:22 PM

Good story....great beginning for you.
As you may now realize, sometimes the most rewarding experiences in life will require enormous perseverance (and sacrifice).

Good luck on the quest for The Title.....make us proud.

Yes Sir,
I have definitely realized that LOL this has been a LONG journey but I feel that all of this, will only make me a better Marine once I earn the title. I am just glad that I have been granted the opportunity and have every intention of making you fine Marines proud.

If I wasn't d'qued I would have been a Marine by now and thats crazy to me!!!

usmcdjcs1ssy

05-26-11, 09:30 AM

My pre-swear in IST is completed and I got okay scores. My FAH was 72secs, 82 crunches :cry:, and my 1.5 mi run was 12:32. So I was content with the score however need to fix my crunches and I want to brin my run down under 11.

I go Wednesday to MEP's, so the next time I post an update I will be a Marine Corps Poolee!!!:bunny:

chulaivet1966

05-26-11, 09:36 AM

It's been a while since I've been in and there are so damn many new acronyms I don't have a clue what most mean.

I was going to comment but I need to know the acronym 'MEP's' and if it's related some sort of PT test?

chulaivet1966

05-26-11, 09:43 AM

Nevermind...too late to edit.
I'm stupid, but did google it for my answer.

usmcdjcs1ssy

06-01-11, 08:44 PM

Today I went to MEPS and swore in and am now a Poolee. I am a contract PFC and ship to P.I 20120213!!! However, my recruiter is going to try and ship me early, but we shall see.

I am hoping to get M.P or Intel; however they only thing that I really care about is earning the title of a U.S Marine, I dont care what I'm doing as a Marine. My recruiter and I are going to sit down and pick my top 3 MOS's on Monday.

My first poolee function is this Saturday and I am hoping to improve my scores from last weeks scores!!!

Thanks Again to all the Marines that have helped me and seen me thru this process.

Sgt Leprechaun

06-01-11, 09:02 PM

OUTfrakin standing! Changed your status accordingly. Congrats!!!! Keep us updated!

usmcdjcs1ssy

06-02-11, 07:38 PM

OUTfrakin standing! Changed your status accordingly. Congrats!!!! Keep us updated!

Thank You so much Sgt.Lep. I will definitely keep yall updated as I progress on my journey!!!

Poolee Lahodik

usmcdjcs1ssy

09-27-11, 01:41 PM

I am currently trying to workout some home situations and my recruiter is trying to get my shipped out this month. I am SOOO ready to step on those yellow footprints and claim that title!

Next time I post it will be to inform all of you Marines that I am leaving for the Island.

Thanks again for all of the support during this LONG journey!!! Before to long I will stand among the Few the Proud!!!

Apache

09-27-11, 02:10 PM

NEVER GIVE UP
Perseverance is a Matine trait.

Keep hammering till you get what you want.

As for the hair loss- I have a bald patch on the top of my brain housing group
Probably caused by the Military (?)
So what's the big ho-har ?

Say again first statement
NEVER QUIT -on yourself- your Country- or your Corps