Introduction: Trying to get back in

[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.