Final fight and the deck is stacked against me!!!
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  1. #1

    Unhappy Final fight and the deck is stacked against me!!!

    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!!!


  2. #2
    Phantom Blooper
    Guest Free Member
    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?



  3. #3
    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???


  4. #4
    Phantom Blooper
    Guest Free Member
    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!


  5. #5
    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


  6. #6
    Keep up the fight, Good Luck, Semper Fidelis.


  7. #7
    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.


  8. #8
    Quote Originally Posted by Marine3451 View Post
    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.


  9. #9
    Marine Free Member Quinbo's Avatar
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    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.


  10. #10
    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.


  11. #11

    Try This

    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!


  12. #12
    Quote Originally Posted by Bulkyker View Post
    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.


  13. #13
    Phantom Blooper
    Guest Free Member
    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.


  14. #14
    Quote Originally Posted by Phantom Blooper View Post
    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.
    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.


  15. #15
    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!!!


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