Meps - Hernia

[mrines14]

Ok, so went through the Marines MEPS Physical and the doctor found an inguinal hernia. Yet, my recruiter's boss pulled some strings and went through with a MEDREP waiver.

What this basically means, is that I will go to Boot with the hernia, but will have the surgery at Beaufort Naval Hospital, and I'll basically be there for four weeks; pre-op, operation and recovery. So, a total of 4 months at boot camp.

Recruiter said this is the first time, they have done this personally. But it has been done before. Just to keep my head up, cause I'll be around people whom are faking sick, suicidal, crying, and trying to get back home

To me, this is smarter to have the Marines pay for the surgery, since Doc and Recruiter said if I had the operation privatively. It would take time to set up the surgery, and then when thats done. 6-8 weeks before I can even consider the military ago. And then there's the process of recruiter paperwork, and DEP, instead of being able to leave in a few weeks right now. And not to mention it will be paid for. (Currently in DEP, everything went through, waiver seem to take a few seconds actually, my liaison at MEPS didn't even mention it as an option, my recruiter brought it up.)

Does anyone have experience with this?

[Big Jim]

Ok, so went through the Marines MEPS Physical and the doctor found an inguinal hernia. Yet, my recruiter's boss pulled some strings and went through with a MEDREP waiver.

What this basically means, is that I will go to Boot with the hernia, but will have the surgery at Beaufort Naval Hospital, and I'll basically be there for four weeks; pre-op, operation and recovery. So, a total of 4 months at boot camp.

Recruiter said this is the first time, they have done this personally. But it has been done before. Just to keep my head up, cause I'll be around people whom are faking sick, suicidal, crying, and trying to get back home

To me, this is smarter to have the Marines pay for the surgery, since Doc and Recruiter said if I had the operation privatively. It would take time to set up the surgery, and then when thats done. 6-8 weeks before I can even consider the military ago. And then there's the process of recruiter paperwork, and DEP, instead of being able to leave in a few weeks right now. And not to mention it will be paid for. (Currently in DEP, everything went through, waiver seem to take a few seconds actually, my liaison at MEPS didn't even mention it as an option, my recruiter brought it up.)

Does anyone have experience with this?

To me, this sounds like everything worked for the better! Thank your recruiter for helping you and your family for getting that surgery paid for by the Marine Corps...its a blessing believe me! I haven't had anything like this done but I've seen it and heard of it a few times...you get your needed surgery and the Marine Corps invests a little time and money in you to do some honorable service!! Good situation all 'round!!!

[mrines14]

Found some background on it..since some people messaged me, and state it doesn't make sense why the military would operate on a civilian on the taxpayers dime. Yet, they do. Marines is the only branch that does it.

Sounds like MARINE CORPS ORDER 1130.51E - Medical Remedial Enlistment Program

6. Criteria for Selection of Applicants
a. Eligibility for this program is restricted to male, non-prior service applicants for the Regular Marine Corps
who:

(1) Achieve a score of 50 or higher on the Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) portion of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery.
(2) Are high school graduates, as defined in reference (a).
(3) Enlist for a 4-year or a 5-year term of enlistment. Requests for enlistment programs/bonuses will be sent to the CMC (MRRE) via the Automated Recruit Management System (ARMS).
(4) Are fully qualified in all other respects as prescribed by reference (a). Applicants requiring moral waivers higher than those that can be granted by the recruiting station commanding officer are not eligible for this program.

b. Waivers of the above criteria will be decided by the CMC (MRRE) on a case-by-case basis, provided the applicant is otherwise highly qualified for enlistment.

c. Applicants may have more than one of the below-listed medical defects provided that treatment for the second defect is nonsurgical when the first defect requires surgery. Simultaneous treatment for the second defect must not prolong or complicate the treatment for the primary medical problem. Applicants with external otitis, cystic acne, or underweight are most likely to benefit from this liberal policy. These defects, as determined by a medical specialist, must be correctable so an applicant will be physically able to undergo the rigors of recruit training within a maximum period of 8 weeks from the date of remedial medical treatment. Applicants with cystic acne may be returned to training while undergoing treatment when directed by the dermatologist. Correctable defects included in the MREP are:

Inguial hernia is listed three times:
(6) Inguinal hernia, unilateral
(8) Undescended testicle and inguinal hernia, same side
(9) Inguinal hernia and varicocele/hydrocele, same side

[Phantom Blooper]

There is a recruit at boot camp now...that had some type of surgery...minor...and then will be picked up...if he hasn't been already and go through training.

[mrines14]

So, I get this surgery, and THEN I being boot camp. What happens if I wash out of boot camp?

[Camper51]

So, I get this surgery, and THEN I being boot camp. What happens if I wash out of boot camp?

Silly boy, you DON'T become a Marine....

[mrines14]

Thats understood, but do I have to pay back for the surgery if I wash out of boot camp...

That wouldn't be feasible...

[Phantom Blooper]

Change your mindset.....

If you have the surgery and are medically OKed to be put on full duty by the surgeon and medical personnel you should be able to complete training with no problems.....they won't let you go into training without being completely qualified.

If you set yourself up for failure you will fail.....it is wrote many times on this site and throughout the Marine Corps that failure is not an option.

[kt3of3]

Well I was just searching for someone that had this experience and sure enough, here's someone..

So I was at MEPS yesterday for my physical and as the Doc was examining me he asked how long I've had the hernia for. I replied that I did not know I had a hernia as I haven't experienced any pain or discomfort whatsoever. He DQ'd me for the same thing, inguinal hernia and scratched med rep on the paper. I proceeded with the rest of the physical, submitted my paperwork, talked to the liason, obtained a waiver, had it signed and approved by the chief medical examiner, and that was that. I have to hand it to the Marines in the Ops office because the entire process took about 20 minutes, minus a half-hour wait outside the examiners office because she was eating lunch. Now if only my age waiver would process that fast.

Repairing a hernia is a relatively easy procedure these days and recovery time is fairly quick. They basically cut you open and repair the tear in the inner lining of your skin with a protein patch.

I was also given the same explanation as far as getting it fixed: I would have the procedure done before boot and once recovered and given the thumbs up, I would attend. Simple as that.

[CarolinaMarine]

Ok, so went through the Marines MEPS Physical and the doctor found an inguinal hernia. Yet, my recruiter's boss pulled some strings and went through with a MEDREP waiver.

What this basically means, is that I will go to Boot with the hernia, but will have the surgery at Beaufort Naval Hospital, and I'll basically be there for four weeks; pre-op, operation and recovery. So, a total of 4 months at boot camp.

Recruiter said this is the first time, they have done this personally. But it has been done before. Just to keep my head up, cause I'll be around people whom are faking sick, suicidal, crying, and trying to get back home

To me, this is smarter to have the Marines pay for the surgery, since Doc and Recruiter said if I had the operation privatively. It would take time to set up the surgery, and then when thats done. 6-8 weeks before I can even consider the military ago. And then there's the process of recruiter paperwork, and DEP, instead of being able to leave in a few weeks right now. And not to mention it will be paid for. (Currently in DEP, everything went through, waiver seem to take a few seconds actually, my liaison at MEPS didn't even mention it as an option, my recruiter brought it up.)

Does anyone have experience with this?

I went to boot camp, got almost through first phase (about a month) and then caught a horrible case of puenomonia that hospitalized me at the Navy Hospital for 2 weeks. I then got sent to EHP (Like MRP except for sickness other then broken bones etc). I stayed there about a month and a half recovering then got put back in the system and finished. It was by far the most depressing place i've been in. Everyday you have the fake suicide cases, and those being sent home coming in and out. You also see people heading back to training, and know they will be going home soon yet you are stuck there. My best advice, pass your PT exit ASAP and get out of that place as SOON as you can. Don't let the Fail kids bring you down, get out and get the title. Its lazy and relaxed in EHP/MRT (at least it was when i was there)....don't fall into it, don't get comfortable. Do what you gotta do!

All in all, i spent about 5 total months on the island, but i earned the title.

Fyi, i developed a hernia about 2-3 weeks before the end of bootcamp and went all the way through the Crucible, MCT and MOS school with it lol. I didn't want to get set back anymore so i pushed on with it, hurt like a ***** though. So its good you are getting it taken care of and going in healthy and ready.

[Mindgame]

When I was a poolie, there was another kid on here who had the same problem. He said they where going to do the same thing for him.

Well I ended up in the same platoon with him. He stood with us all through forming, until we took our IST. Then I never heard from him again.

I take it he got it taken care of. Im surprised hes not on here anymore. You can try looking for pist's from him, or even search on here. His name was something like Poolie1 or something.

[chrisf9028]

I got sent home from boot camp this summer for a severe inguinal hernia. From a first hand experience the recovery is longer than 4 weeks. It took about 1 week for me to be able to walk again and about 2 months to start working out my stomach again. I would just delay shipping and get it fixed, but if your gonna go down to PI and get it done there thats fine...but don't rush into anything strenuous too soon after the surgery because you need time for the mesh to properly heal. Hernias come back easy and it will only make your trip there a longer one. 4 months after the surgery and I'm back around a 285 pft. Just make sure to remember why your there and stay motivated because there are a lot of sh**heads in MRP and EHP who are trying to get others down. Best of luck to you bro.

and why is the thought of washing out even crossing your mind? stay focused and youll be fine

[chrisf9028]

And also.....I know that I am not a poolee/DEP right now but I can't change the account type back. I asked the moderator as well. I will be a poolee again sometime Feb-Mar 09.

[Sgt Leprechaun]

I have a personal story to this, I was diagnosed with the same thing way back in 1981, and the Corps offerred me essentially the same deal. However, I elected to get the surgery done at home in my own hospital, and did so with no issues. I then went on to Recruit Training.

I'd suggest doing that if you can. It WILL make life easier, I assure you.

[stevemorales816]

I had a Inguinal hernia removed about ten years ago, I am now 24. Will this be a problem at MEPS? If so, would it be hard to get a waiver?