Hearing Question

[Kildars]

Hello,

This has come down to a last step for me as trying to join the Marine Corps.
I have tried every other avenue, but either been ignored, or rejected, so I am going to try this last thing. If this fails I will have to reluctantly give up my quest to enlist.

My name is Jordon, I have a best friend who enlisted in the marines after I convinced him to, we were supposed to enlist together in the buddy system. When we went to meps - my goal of becoming a marine hit a brick wall.

I was disqualified because of my hearing loss in my right ear, yet reccomended a waiver. My recruiter informed me there was a really good chance my waiver would get approved because most do. So I was excited. I waited, and waited, for about three months, finally I got word back that my waiver was denied. My recruiter gave up, told me have a nice life etc.

A little background into my hearing loss is, I was diagnosed with meningitus (spelling) when i was 18 months old after getting in a falling accident. This knocked the hearing out of my right ear only down to about a 50-65% loss (depending on the test). Yet, in conversation no one even can tell that I have a hearing loss, it only looks bad on paper, (which is what I thought waivers were for.) Still even w/ this, I'm still medically denied.

I have wanted to be a marine since I was a child, my grandfather served for over 22 years, finally retiring as a master gunnary sgt. My uncle gave his life in Vietnam. My whole family is marine corps, and i wanted to carry on the tradition along with be side by side with my friend who enlisted mainly because I was planning to enlist.

I don't know what else to try, except to write the president. If that is neccessary I will do it, thought it most likely won't do much. I'm very persistent and I won't quit till i get to no other avenues to pursue.

So, this is a cry out, If anyone has anything they might be able to do to somehow get me in, or someone you know who can or even might be able to help, please POST on this thread and I will PM you my email/contact information. I really hope that there is someone out there either with the knowledge or high enough in the rankings to backdoor something. Even if I don't get to be on the "front lines." Just to be in the corps would be an honor to me and my family.

Thank you for reading all of this and i hope it turns out positive.

Jordon

[lovdog]

Dear - I wanna be a Marine so bad I can taste it!
If it were I and I was in this dilemma?? I would probably start at the bottom of the chain of command instead of going right to the top. I imagine our President gets about 3 or 4 thousand letters a day and even the screening process would take some time, but I wouldn't rule this out either. If you have access to a printer - make duplicate copies of your plight and keep sending them out til you've exhausted all of your potential help!!
Depending on the area that you are from - usually your State Senator and possibly your State House Representative have an office set up close to most fair size towns - usually the center of your county somewhere. It is a good possibility that you could talk to one of them on a one to one basis. If you can't talk to him, go see the mayor of your town - I can't imagine that they would not see you because of this - its not good for their image to cast aside a would be Marine, or a potential future vote!!
And since the Commandant is the Marine's leader - don't leave him out of the picture - he has "some" pull I imagine.
Usually every town has some members in the Marine Corps League also. Some, depending on their ranking when in the Corps still weild alot of clout and may be able to help you. You must remember - your dealing with the Government and things take time - lots of time!!
Typically, the Marines want you in good shape upon entry - then they will put you in artillery or around jets so they can ruin your hearing for you!! I, like others at this Website have lost a portion of our hearing while in the Marines so we know what you are experiencing.
Eventually, maybe someone will "hear" what you have to say - but you may have to turn over many a rock before you get your day in court. Like they say, "sometimes when one door closes, another opens"! I've never heard of it done in your case, but I guess you could get a lawyer - ACLU possibly (I guess you could consider this human rights!!) Maybe someone at this site will give you some better ideas that may actually work - keep the faith!! I wish you well, my friend. SF
ps - Have a little patience - you'll start receiving some good info from these guys here - they are pretty good at problem solving.

[Rdy2gopoolie]

yea def. write to reps in congress too. try everything and anything. DONT GIVE UP!!! good luck.

[Kildars]

Yeah,

I have talked to my congressman for my district. He basically checked with the liason and they told me i didn't qualify which was obvious information.

The thing about losing your hearing in the corps is something I expected, its not like the DI's will be whispering at me in boot camp, and even if they did I would be able to hear what they were saying. I have had this problem since I was a child and have adapted very well!

Anyways guys, I will start printing out and sending them to my U.S. Senators.
I live in seattle, so hopefully I will get a response.

Thanks for the advice! and keep it coming if you can!

[lovdog]

Kildars: There is part of your problem already - you should live in Pittsburgh!!
Or at least be a Steeler Fan? Do you own a Terrible Towel? You must start with a good foundation if you want to join "Uncle Sams Misguided Children", and it starts by becoming a Steeler Fan!! Sorry, I got carried away!!
Don't forget the Commandant or his Adjutant possibly. Two letters a week might work, who knows?? Just tell them that all of the guys here are with ya and maybe he will "bend" the rules just this once. Tell him that you know Ed Palmer from this site - that will certainly open doors - he is one of our legendary "Soothsayers" here and is highly recommended by all as he works his literary magic once again to keep us all amused!!
Later!

[Kildars]

Ha!

My mom was born and raised in pittsburgh then we moved to seattle so she doesnt really mind who wins the superbowl :P. But I think seahawks are going to wipe the floor with the steelers, no offense off course!

So who should i write, can you give me a name and a link to their address? I'll send the letter tomorrow!

[Kildars]

I'm pretty sure the only way that I will be able to get in is for someone to bend the rules for me, but I can assure you I will not let you down. I have the most knowledge of what it takes to be a marine second to going to bootcamp and actually becoming a marine.

I am willing to write letters to everyone. I just want someone to listen and I don't want to waste my time! So if any of you two have friends, and they may be able to help please feel me to leave me their emails, and or ask for mine and you can email me with more contact information. Thank you for all the help in advance.

[LittleDevilDog]

Make sure you're capitalizing MARINE in your letters, which you're not doing in your posts.

Good luck man, I hope things work out for you.

[Kildars]

Oh, good idea, I will..

By the way, you didn't capitalize MARINE in your signature :P.

Thanks for the good luck.

Semper Fi to you.

[Rdy2gopoolie]

hehe. good luck to you man!!

[Kildars]

I'm going to bump this to the top just in case anyone knows anything new! Or someone else might read it.

[jinelson]

Kildars I admire your tenacity and patriotism and I just want you to know that I am not the only Marine that does, I dont know if you saw this thread but Marines are searching for answers for you.

http://www.leatherneck.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=26248

[Kildars]

Thank you for your kind response and I appreciate you taking the time to read and respond to my thread, no I did not see that post, thank you for pointing it out.

Hopefully by posting here it will help me join and serve, cause as lovdog said I am willing, and wanting to go :-D.

[Rdy2gopoolie]

Bump to top

[Kildars]

Thank you