Hey Guys,
Thanks for reading. Sorry for the long post, but I think it's better you know the details to help me out.
I'll say a little bit about myself before telling my story.
I'm currently a junior in college going for a BS in Political Science. I originally wanted to go Marines, but due to the lack of help here at my OSO I went and did almost 2 years with the AFROTC instead, which I knew wasn't for me. I ended up leaving the program for a bad grade and know not being in the AF is best for me.
Now comes the part with the Marines. I decided to try applying again my last year in AFROTC to hopefully turn over to a air contract via PLC combined (10 week side error).
Things were going smoothly at first. My recruiter was a helo driver and seemed to be interested in helping me. I'm in great physical condition, have been climbing competitively for years, lift daily, and run well. I have to work hard in school, but I can do well when I put my mind to it.
Anyways, time comes for MEPS and he asks me if I had any problems getting qualified with the Air Force. I told him I went through DoDmerb and ended up having to wait a year for a waiver (which passed). I told him it was for mental medication when I was younger.
My case is special because of the events in my life that took place. I was young (15), going through a lot of family problems as well as personal issues. Growing up around a mother who brought childhood issues into the home is hard to deal with. The medication was Zoloft mainly (taken for no more 4 or 5 months) and didn't feel any difference aside from feeling sleepy all the time. Along with the Zoloft I was given samples by the doctor that had written prescriptions if I liked the drug. I never ended up using them, but the service still see's that on my records.
When I turned 21 I had another downfall in my life that I didn't take well. I was with a girl for almost 3 years that cheated on me and the break up ended badly. What did I decide to do? I found a counselor to talk to and work through it with. While at the counseling center, across the hall is a nurse practitioner that prescribed me Prozac and Abilify to handle the stress. I didn't take the Abilify, but I did use the Prozac for 4 months. The medication did nothing but make me tired.
Well, when I presented this information to my local OSO, I was told DIRECTLY by my recruiter (an officer) and his enlisted members to keep my mouth shut about it all if I wanted to ever pass. They had me actually sit down and physically practice what I was going to do when I got to MEPS. I was told I had nothing to worry about and that the service would never find out.
The day came for MEPS and I made it through. My eyes were perfect, along with everything else... But I lied about the medication and went against my integrity. I went to the officer afterwards and was told to not worry about it and that we'd be onto the next step.
That night I came home and spoke with my parents about it. I knew it was better to come clean and go the right way then to make it through and have that hanging over me while I was being a leader that's expected to promote integrity.
I called my recruiter the next day to let him know I wanted to come clean with MEPS and he tried to talk me out of it by saying they'd never find out and even down the road when getting a security clearance, they'd still never find out. I told him I wanted to do the right thing and he replied with, You realize this is going to cost you your slot? If you don't get a waiver, it's over.
I told him I understood.
A few days later he calls me to tell me I was disqualified by MEPS and their was nothing he could do. I ask him to send for a waiver at BUMED and so he does.
Weeks later I get a call from him saying BUMED DQ'd me and won't grant me a waiver for a history of bipolar disorder (which I've NEVER been diagnosed with) and that theirs nothing he can do. I tell him I can get extra letters from other doctors to show I've never been diagnosed with anything besides stress brought on by situations. He agree's and says, Sure get those letters and we'll push them to BUMED.
So, I take the initiative to go to the center that prescribed me the medication and both the counselor AND the NP got together and wrote a strong letter of recommendation to request me a waiver. The letter included a professional medical diagnosis of stress and NOT bipolar disorder or anything else.
I take this letter to my recruiter and he tells me he's done helping me and that there is nothing he can do for me. All after he tells me to get the proper paper work. He tells me to give up and never call back. He says, call another OSO in another state and apply through them, but don't tell them what happened here. Good luck, and then hung up.
Time goes by and another Captain comes on board to start learning the ropes to take over for earlier said Captain.
Another buddy of mine is going through the same OSO and tells me how great this other guy is and that I should try him.
I get his number and leave him a message. A few days pass by and I get nothing in return. So I call the office and ask for him. He picks up and says, Cpt. ------- told me about you and I agree with him. I'm not going to help you get a waiver. I ask him why. He says, Because theres a line of guys at the door who don't need waivers and I can push them through faster without having to do any paperwork. Do not call me again, give up and do something else.
The story goes on...
I decide to get a hold of BUMED myself. A very nervy thing to do, but I knew I had no other options. After speaking with other Marine pilots and officers that told me to keep pushing and not give up, I did it. After going through the internet for hours I found the number for the director of the BUMED board who signed my DQ waiver form. He answers the phone and asks me how I got his number. I go onto to explain to him my story and determination to be a Marine officer for this country. He agree's that I'm determined and goes onto explain how looking through my paperwork, him and his board made a mistake and will re-evaluate my paper work and call me back that day.
I get a call back within the hour and he says, Me and my team reviewed your packet and cannot give you a waiver until you give us those notes from your doctor, but give them to your recruiter and have him push those to us and I will do my best to get you a waiver. I will also type up a personal note to leave on top of your packet explaining that we've talked and that we will wait for your waiver. Good luck to you and I hope it works out.
Later that day I get a call from the first recruiter (Captain) and he's furious that I called BUMED because BUMED contacted him asking what happened with my case. I explained to him that I had no other options because my OSO wouldn't go to bat for me anymore. Not only that, I contacted other OSO's and was denied help because they can only help seniors that are applying OCC. However, All of them said they've heard of issues happening at this particular OSO and to not give up.
So here I am today, still wanting more than anything to be a Marine Officer/Pilot. It's what I work for every single day of my life. The problems I had earlier in my life were all because of a bad attitude and outlook on life. I didn't need medication, I needed to stop being a pussy and making excuses for my situations. I have come a huge distance and am completely dedicated in all that I do. I work hard in school, stay physically fit, have maintained a healthy relationship with a great woman for the last 3 years. While in ROTC I always pushed to exceed everyones expectations, and take care of my people with sincerity and integrity. I knew everyday that was I was doing was right and that the military was my place to be.
In close of this, what would you guys recommend I do? I'm sorry this letter has taken up your time, but I'm really at a dead end here. I have buddies leaving in just a matter of days to OCS and it hurts to see them go when they all want me there by their side when they commission. I'm willing to do anything and have shown that I have the perseverance to keep moving.
Thank you all so much for reading this. I look forward to constructive responses.
-BINGO
