I successfully sent nearly 100 individuals to Navy OCS/ODS -- AMA

[ME6OCS]

Thanks. I've been pursuing a direct commission for a while now while in the army reserves and I've served for about 10 years. After a break in service, I was granted a medical waiver in 2017 to reenlist, in 2023 during my commission process I was denied a medical waiver at MEPS for the same unchanged condition (same pulhes code). No explanation, no information other than one minute the commissioning board and school approved my application packet and next minute they said they can't continue processing. Best I can figure out is I can pass the sustaining physical criteria (which is why I'm allowed to stay in), but can't pass the commissioning physical. But the irony with it all is that means I'm physically fit to deploy, wear 80 lbs of gear and run in the mud as I used to (OIF), but I'm not qualified to sit at a desk and rubber stamp blueprint drawings for government facilities, which is what I'd be doing in my direct commissioning role.

I went through the congressional inquiry and it came back just confirming most of what I noted above. Do you have any advice on how to pursue this further? Any thoughts on further appeal?

Thanks

I'm open to other branches and options.

 

[USNA_STEM_Prof]

I went through the congressional inquiry and it came back just confirming most of what I noted above. Do you have any advice on how to pursue this further? Any thoughts on further appeal?

That's tough and so ridiculously frustrating. Honestly, if you've gone the congressional appeal route and it turned out nothing, I don't have much advice. I can speak at great length regarding the Navy OCS/ODS routes but medical is, well, medical. Given the point you're at, I'd be simply trying to locate others on this board who may have more insight to that process. I was good at prepping my applicants and ensuring they had sufficient documentation when a 2807 had medical items on it, but you're far past that point.

 

[USNA_STEM_Prof]

I'm open to other branches and options.

The challenge is that MEPS / commissioning physicals are universal. I'd often have people come to me that were MDQ'd when trying to join another branch hoping I could help. Perhaps their recruiter didn't guide them well, but once they were deemed medically disqualified there was very little I could do.

 

[ME6OCS]

The challenge is that MEPS / commissioning physicals are universal. I'd often have people come to me that were MDQ'd when trying to join another branch hoping I could help. Perhaps their recruiter didn't guide them well, but once they were deemed medically disqualified there was very little I could do.

Thanks for the quick response on this. It's just very odd I'm allowed to stay in as a "ground pounder", but not allowed to sit behind a desk and stamp drawings. Just trying to find the right contact who can potentially see the folly in that logic and provide a conditional waiver. I'll update if I make any progress.

 

[USNA_STEM_Prof]

Thanks for the quick response on this. It's just very odd I'm allowed to stay in as a "ground pounder", but not allowed to sit behind a desk and stamp drawings. Just trying to find the right contact who can potentially see the folly in that logic and provide a conditional waiver. I'll update if I make any progress.

Don't get me wrong, I see the folly. Heck, at this point I'm a teacher / paper pusher and despite being a competitive BJJ guy that near maxes his PRT, I still couldn't join due to the various injuries I've had over the years. It's frustrating.