I thought that a good idea would be to get everyone on this forum that has recieved a waiver to post a little info. There are a few members on here that carry a little anxiety about whether or not they will get the waiver they need. I know I would appreciate hearing some stories about waivers, and please add a little info like what the waiver is for and how long it took to get it. THANKS, Marti
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WAIVER
- Thread starter marti
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Goliath112
Registered User
smart ass
man the wait is killing me
man the wait is killing me
Marti,
Looks like you found a tough crowd. Here's the quick version of my story...
Childhood asthma. I took a Methacholine Challenge Test (special type of Pulmonary Function Test) in March through a private doctor and passed with no problem. Went to MEPS, got disqualified due to the history of asthma. However, at MEPS, a doctor recommended me for a waiver. Waiver recommendation goes to Millington, TN where head Navy doctor reviews waiver requests. After about 3 months, waiver comes back "REJECTED" but they gave me the opportunity of taking another Methacholine Challenge Test through a Navy doctor. No explanation provided... "this is the way it is."
Went to a Navy hospital and took the second test. Test results were fine. Rejected waiver application was re-submitted. This time, after only about a week, the waiver comes back APPROVED.
I'm not sure why it took 3 months the first time and only 1 week the second time. Anyway, that's where I am now. I have my waiver but now I'm looking into the Aeromedical waiver requirements to make sure I can fly (I'm applying for pilot).
Anyway, here's some tips that helped me (maybe in a small way) get a medical waiver:
1) Be healthy. You know if you're healthy or not.
2) I really felt like the "Catch more flies with honey" approach helps. I can't prove it, but I swear part of the medical diagnostic process is subjective. If you treat the doctors/nurses/medics with respect and a good attitude, I think it makes them want to root for you. I even got one nurse to write "GREAT TEST RESULTS!" on the actual test results.
3) Get a private doctor to verify results. I started the application process knowing I would probably need a Methacholine Challenge Test so, first things first, I went out and got one before I even talked to a Navy recruiter. That way, at every step, you can have a document in your hand that says you're healthy.
4) Ask for or make copies of everything and carry them with you everywhere. I took copies of my "GREAT TEST RESULTS" so that, at every turn, I had something tangible that I could show someone. Even to my final doctor interview at MEPS.
5) Have an active history of success in athletics. An athletic history is a good example of how healthy you are. I'm not trying to brag, but there were a couple of times that I impressed some of the doctors by telling them about some of my athletic accomplishments.
6) Have patience. There were times I thought the Navy had forgotten about me.
Lastly, waivers are a lot like reviewing a play in the NFL. The doctors want to see conclusive evidence to overturn a previous call. Give them all the evidence possible, then sugar coat it and become their friends. Would you want to reject your friend?
If anyone has any questions about an asthma waiver, feel free to email me.
-Greg
Looks like you found a tough crowd. Here's the quick version of my story...
Childhood asthma. I took a Methacholine Challenge Test (special type of Pulmonary Function Test) in March through a private doctor and passed with no problem. Went to MEPS, got disqualified due to the history of asthma. However, at MEPS, a doctor recommended me for a waiver. Waiver recommendation goes to Millington, TN where head Navy doctor reviews waiver requests. After about 3 months, waiver comes back "REJECTED" but they gave me the opportunity of taking another Methacholine Challenge Test through a Navy doctor. No explanation provided... "this is the way it is."
Went to a Navy hospital and took the second test. Test results were fine. Rejected waiver application was re-submitted. This time, after only about a week, the waiver comes back APPROVED.
I'm not sure why it took 3 months the first time and only 1 week the second time. Anyway, that's where I am now. I have my waiver but now I'm looking into the Aeromedical waiver requirements to make sure I can fly (I'm applying for pilot).
Anyway, here's some tips that helped me (maybe in a small way) get a medical waiver:
1) Be healthy. You know if you're healthy or not.
2) I really felt like the "Catch more flies with honey" approach helps. I can't prove it, but I swear part of the medical diagnostic process is subjective. If you treat the doctors/nurses/medics with respect and a good attitude, I think it makes them want to root for you. I even got one nurse to write "GREAT TEST RESULTS!" on the actual test results.
3) Get a private doctor to verify results. I started the application process knowing I would probably need a Methacholine Challenge Test so, first things first, I went out and got one before I even talked to a Navy recruiter. That way, at every step, you can have a document in your hand that says you're healthy.
4) Ask for or make copies of everything and carry them with you everywhere. I took copies of my "GREAT TEST RESULTS" so that, at every turn, I had something tangible that I could show someone. Even to my final doctor interview at MEPS.
5) Have an active history of success in athletics. An athletic history is a good example of how healthy you are. I'm not trying to brag, but there were a couple of times that I impressed some of the doctors by telling them about some of my athletic accomplishments.
6) Have patience. There were times I thought the Navy had forgotten about me.
Lastly, waivers are a lot like reviewing a play in the NFL. The doctors want to see conclusive evidence to overturn a previous call. Give them all the evidence possible, then sugar coat it and become their friends. Would you want to reject your friend?
If anyone has any questions about an asthma waiver, feel free to email me.
-Greg
Marti, Greg's story is very much like mine. I have a high frequency hearing loss. MEPS rejected me and did not recommend a wavier. I found out later that I could take a speech recognition test, do well on it and MEPS would then recommend the wavier. They did and Millington approved the wavier on day one. What Greg said about attitude is 100% right. I thought about giving up but I stuck it out. I had the attitude that nurses where really trying to help me. The MEPS Dr. wont go out on a limb for you. He doesn't want to hang for making a wrong decision, but he will get behind another Dr. so concensus building is the key. Positive attitude and faith will see you through this one. Best of luck.
Airgreg, At what age where you diagnosed with Athsma? From what I have read if you had it prior to age twelve it's not a problem. Of course, that may mean that it's a waiverable not a problem.
Did you just wind up telling the docs at MEPS this or what?
Do you have to get PDQ'D at meps to start the waiver process?
Did you just wind up telling the docs at MEPS this or what?
Do you have to get PDQ'D at meps to start the waiver process?
Marti,
Diagnosed at age 14. I've heard the "age 12 rule" before but nobody seemed that concerned with it. When the doctors asked when I was diagnosed, I said something like "over 10 years ago" which is true.
I was upfront about everything with the docs at MEPS. I knew ahead of time, from some prior recruiting experience, that I'd have to disclose all this info and tell them about the asthma diagnosis. So when I did, I was prepared to present the info in the best light possible without lying.
Yup, initially I got PDQ'd at MEPS pending my waiver application (which went to Millington, TN). Even if the doctors at MEPS think you're really physically qualified, they have to disqualify you if you have a "history" of asthma. The MEPS doctors, therefore, can disqualify you AND recommend you for a waiver at the same time.
Diagnosed at age 14. I've heard the "age 12 rule" before but nobody seemed that concerned with it. When the doctors asked when I was diagnosed, I said something like "over 10 years ago" which is true.
I was upfront about everything with the docs at MEPS. I knew ahead of time, from some prior recruiting experience, that I'd have to disclose all this info and tell them about the asthma diagnosis. So when I did, I was prepared to present the info in the best light possible without lying.
Yup, initially I got PDQ'd at MEPS pending my waiver application (which went to Millington, TN). Even if the doctors at MEPS think you're really physically qualified, they have to disqualify you if you have a "history" of asthma. The MEPS doctors, therefore, can disqualify you AND recommend you for a waiver at the same time.
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