Introduction: Trying to get back in

[Ghostwalker]

Well, I thought I should post an introduction, though I wasn't sure where would be the best place to do that. <br />
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I do not consider myself a poolee yet, since I'm waiting on waivers before I can...

[josephd]

you said you have your BA right?....why not go speak with an OSO and go to OCS. Would make a pretty good story and it'd be cool to go back to the island and have your old SDI saluting you.

just my $.02

[Ghostwalker]

Pfc. Joseph, I actually did try to get into the OCC program while I was still working on a degree at UCF, unfortunately my OSO told me that the waiting list already had 12 candidates ready to ship out ahead of me, so it would have been at least a year wait until I finally got a seat, even if I fully qualified and got all my waivers (which would have taken several months on top of that).

I decided that it would just be better to reenlist.

For me, it honestly isn't about what rank I have or how much money I earn or who is saluting whom, it's about earning the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor and being a Marine most of all.

Perhaps later on down the road, I will attend OCS via ECP and see if I can earn a commission to become an Officer of Marines, but I really don't mind just serving as an enlisted Marine at this point in time.

Right now, I'm just focusing on staying in shape and waiting on MEPS to hopefully grant my waivers so I can pay the island another visit.

[GyC]

Good luck with your situation... I would make sure and provide any medical documents from any visits regarding your injury with physicians after your discharge... It may help the BUMED process... S/F

[josephd]

Pfc. Joseph, I actually did try to get into the OCC program while I was still working on a degree at UCF, unfortunately my OSO told me that the waiting list already had 12 candidates ready to ship out ahead of me, so it would have been at least a year wait until I finally got a seat, even if I fully qualified and got all my waivers (which would have taken several months on top of that).

I decided that it would just be better to reenlist.

For me, it honestly isn't about what rank I have or how much money I earn or who is saluting whom, it's about earning the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor and being a Marine most of all.

Perhaps later on down the road, I will attend OCS via ECP and see if I can earn a commission to become an Officer of Marines, but I really don't mind just serving as an enlisted Marine at this point in time.

Right now, I'm just focusing on staying in shape and waiting on MEPS to hopefully grant my waivers so I can pay the island another visit.

I can defenitely understand, I just turned down a PLC package and going to go active duty on the enlisted side now. Best of luck to you.

[NoRemorse]

You may not necessarily need a BuMed waiver. If you were released from the TDRL and cleared for Active Duty but opted not to go back then it smells like you'd have a RE-3P and would need a reenlistment waiver instead.

Like the GySgt said, have all your medical trash squared away as well as being outstanding on the PFT. You've got an uphill battle just because you're not a fresh, unblooded prospective poolee and require more paperwork.

Good luck in the process.

[Ghostwalker]

GySgt GyC and PFCs, thank you for your replies and motivation.

All of my medical records were sent along with the paperwork back in May, so all I can do for the moment is wait, keep training, and hope.

I sincerely doubt it will be an easy task just to earn the chance to ship out once more, but that just makes it all the more worthwhile, as far as I am concerned.

[GyC]

GySgt GyC and PFCs, thank you for your replies and motivation.

All of my medical records were sent along with the paperwork back in May, so all I can do for the moment is wait, keep training, and hope.

I sincerely doubt it will be an easy task just to earn the chance to ship out once more, but that just makes it all the more worthwhile, as far as I am concerned.

So you were pre-screened by MEPS already?? So, if I understand you correctly, MEPS has not cleared you??

[Ghostwalker]

GySgt,

No, I actually have not been to MEPS yet. I went to my recruiter back in May, explained my situation to him, and then under his guidance spent a little while filling out enlistment paperwork, and gave him a copy of my medical records, and he faxed the whole package down to MEPS along with my ASVAB scores, telling me that we now need to wait to hear back from them, and it would probably take a while.

My understanding is that we are waiting on MEPS to schedule me for a physical examination, which will determine if my original injury which caused me to get an RE-3P has healed (which I certainly hope it has, seeing as how I am able to run, jump, climb, teach kung fu, etc.), and then send their recommendation up to CMC (I believe?) or BUMED, who will grant or deny the waiver in however many weeks/months it takes them to do the paperwork on their end.

Then I will finally be able to enlist, I believe. But I am not a recruiter nor an Admin person, so I am just going on what my recruiter has told me over the phone during my calls to check in every other week. His patience is amazing, as I know it must be annoying to get a phone call from me every other monday going "Any word from MEPS yet?"

[GyC]

GySgt,

No, I actually have not been to MEPS yet. I went to my recruiter back in May, explained my situation to him, and then under his guidance spent a little while filling out enlistment paperwork, and gave him a copy of my medical records, and he faxed the whole package down to MEPS along with my ASVAB scores, telling me that we now need to wait to hear back from them, and it would probably take a while.

My understanding is that we are waiting on MEPS to schedule me for a physical examination, which will determine if my original injury which caused me to get an RE-3P has healed (which I certainly hope it has, seeing as how I am able to run, jump, climb, teach kung fu, etc.), and then send their recommendation up to CMC (I believe?) or BUMED, who will grant or deny the waiver in however many weeks/months it takes them to do the paperwork on their end.

Then I will finally be able to enlist, I believe. But I am not a recruiter nor an Admin person, so I am just going on what my recruiter has told me over the phone during my calls to check in every other week. His patience is amazing, as I know it must be annoying to get a phone call from me every other monday going "Any word from MEPS yet?"


Doesn't sound like MEPS is on their game... They only have so long to respond... Normally not more than 4 days, unless you submitted over 100 pages of documents... S/F

[Ghostwalker]

I honestly am not sure what is going on then, GySgt.

Perhaps they just went ahead and sent the information off for a waiver already, and we're actually waiting on that? I honestly have no clue. But I will be calling my recruiter on Monday for a usual status update and hopefully will be able to pick his brain a little bit about this.

I would think that the least they would do is set me up with a doctor at MEPS or a civilian contract who will just check me over to see if my original injury has healed, and then write a letter stating as such to the board.

[GyC]

I honestly am not sure what is going on then, GySgt.

Perhaps they just went ahead and sent the information off for a waiver already, and we're actually waiting on that? I honestly have no clue. But I will be calling my recruiter on Monday for a usual status update and hopefully will be able to pick his brain a little bit about this.

I would think that the least they would do is set me up with a doctor at MEPS or a civilian contract who will just check me over to see if my original injury has healed, and then write a letter stating as such to the board.

You need as much medical documentation as possible to convince MEPS to spend money on you, just the way it is... S/F

[Ghostwalker]

Understood, GySgt.

I have basically given them everything that I have from the original injury, but I am considering perhaps setting up an appointment with the VA to have some x-rays taken of my leg, and one of their orthopedic specialists write a letter saying the injury has healed.

I don't have any illusions that this will be a quick or easy process, but I'm hoping there will be some things I can do to at least help speed it along.

[GyC]

Understood, GySgt.

I have basically given them everything that I have from the original injury, but I am considering perhaps setting up an appointment with the VA to have some x-rays taken of my leg, and one of their orthopedic specialists write a letter saying the injury has healed.

I don't have any illusions that this will be a quick or easy process, but I'm hoping there will be some things I can do to at least help speed it along.

Good luck, Stay Moto, and Be Patient!! I hate working med docs with MEPS...:mad:

[Ghostwalker]

I am sure you are not the only one, GySgt.

Thank you for the support! Rest assured that the words "I give up" are not in my vocabulary, and MEPS is going to find that out the hard way if need be!

[NoRemorse]

Understood, GySgt.

I have basically given them everything that I have from the original injury, but I am considering perhaps setting up an appointment with the VA to have some x-rays taken of my leg, and one of their orthopedic specialists write a letter saying the injury has healed.

I don't have any illusions that this will be a quick or easy process, but I'm hoping there will be some things I can do to at least help speed it along.

While you were on the TDRL you would have been required to keep your records updated so you'd have more documentation before the next possible board. Like the GySgt said, you need lots and lots and lots of ammo.

And then you need some to spare.

[Ghostwalker]

Well, it's been almost two months since my last message, and I've made some progress.

I was able to find the last of the paperwork that MEPS was apparently waiting on and send it down, and that was back in the beginning of August.

Well, it's the middle of September now, and still nothing.

Granted, this IS the military we're talking about, but does it normally take this long just to schedule an appointment to send a recruit down for some x-rays and have the doctor take a look at his leg?

I'm really starting to wonder if they didn't just lose all of my paperwork altogether and not tell my recruiter or something. I've been calling him every other week or so just to check in and ask for an update, and he insists that there has not been.

What a pain in the pinfeathers. I just want to be able to do SOMETHING to help speed the process along, but I never was good at playing this endless waiting game.

[Fubar5812]

keep in mind that the Marine Corps has met its manpower requirements and there being alot more..."choosy" than normal about who they send to bootcamp these days since they can afford too. Not saying your out of luck but something to keep in mind is all.

[fjmas1976]

What might end up happening is MEPS will not give you a physical and you will have to get a BUMED waiver to be authorized for a MEPS physical. That's what happened to me, after waiting and waiting and.......waiting.

[Ghostwalker]

fjmas, I'm thinking that may be the case. I think I remember the NCOIC at the RSS talking about a BUMED waiver and an ELS waiver.

How long did it take your waiver to go through and what was your condition, if you don't mind me asking?

[fjmas1976]

The first attempt was "lost" somehow....and so after waiting a month to find that out, another was sent in. That didn't go through and I got the denial after about 1 and a half weeks. Since I got denied to get a MEPS physical, my attempt to get back in died right then. PM me for more in depth details.

[0331 2 0369]

Sounds to me like you are at least rolling in the right direction. Not very fast but rolloing. Keep after your recruiter. Don't p!ss him off but let him know you are still waiting from time to time. Hopefully the second time is a charm for you. Good Luck!

[Ghostwalker]

Sounds to me like you are at least rolling in the right direction. Not very fast but rolloing. Keep after your recruiter. Don't p!ss him off but let him know you are still waiting from time to time. Hopefully the second time is a charm for you. Good Luck!

Thank you for the advice, GySgt!

I have been calling him every couple of weeks just to check in, and I'm due to call again on Monday. The NCOIC of the station has even been expressing his own disgust with MEPS' ineptitude on this one, so that made me feel a little better, albeit not as encouraged for my own situation.

I'm really hoping that it is something as simple as misplaced paperwork, and we can just resubmit everything and hear back after only a few weeks. I just can't believe it takes this long to schedule a physical appointment.

I can remember when I first enlisted, I was in the car with my recruiter going down to Tampa not one week after signing the paperwork to get poked and prodded and tested.

It just gets really infuriating to think that all the PT I've been thrashing myself with is going to be good for nothing more than keeping me in shape for when I get rejected, rather than helping to ensure a successful 2nd try at boot camp.