Looking for input/advice!

[Hackett27]

I have quite the long story, please bear with me and I will attempt to make it as painless as possible.

Timeline:

Mid 2004:
- Attempted to join USAF. Scored well on all tests except one, eyesight.

- My waiver was denied by the USAF Surgeon General. My denial was for the following: Refraction of -10 in the right eye. -8 is the limit for enlisting.

- After this denial, I was told by my recruiter I was permanantly DQed, and there was nothing I could do to change that. He stated the USAF Surgeon General's DQ also DQed me from every other branch.

2006:
- Multiple eye exams show the refraction in my right eye to be -8.

- Called a recruiter to inquire as to a re-submission or appeal of a waiver denial. For lack of a better term, was told to blow-off.

2007-2008:
- I tell a good friend of mine about the benefits of joining the USAF.

Late 2008:
- My friend joins and ships.

Mid 2009 (Present):
- My friend, now Pvt 1st Class sits down with his MTI and discusses my scenario. His MTI tells him the Surgeon General denial shouldn't permanantly DQ me, especially with my eyesight having gotten better. Also states the USAF Surgeon General DQ did not in fact DQ me from any other branch.

- I am skeptical, but again call a recruiter who tells me "MTI's give out false information. Your done if you were DQed."

- Unsure of who to believe, I contacted the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, who heard me out and directed me to the USAF Surgeon Generals Office.

- After speaking to the USAF Surgeon Generals Office, I was sent to call a Mr David Noble of the Force Development Branch.

- Currently awaiting communication with Mr David Nobel.


Ok, so that basically sums up a few years worth of my battle to get into the USAF. My goal was intentionally to join into a medical field such as Radiology. Since 04 I've been pursuing a career in Law Enforcement and would probably join in to the AF Security Forces had I the chance.

I kind of feel like I am getting the run around as of now, but am taking the fact these offices are hearing me out and not telling me to "blow off" as a good sign.

My eyes refraction is -8. No surgery was performed. I am 23 years old, healthy, fit, with no medical, legal, or other troubles.

I find it hard to believe I am "done" as the recruiters would have me believe. So what's your input?

Also note, I am a dual citizen with the UK. The RAF has already expressed I am eligible for service. However, I haven't lived in the UK since I was 2 and that is not something I'd like to pursue. I just find it horrible that another country would have me join, but I am having such a problem here. (Yes, I understand requirements differ, but I MEET the requirements here.)

Do I have a chance? Any advice on who to call, what to do, or the like?

Thanks,
C Hackett

[LOAL-D]

You never know...so keep trying...Do you wear glasses/contacts? Usually they take folks whose vision can be corrected to 20/20....

Also if your friends in the USAF, he's not a PVT 1st Class....

good luck...

[Hackett27]

You never know...so keep trying...Do you wear glasses/contacts? Usually they take folks whose vision can be corrected to 20/20....

Also if your friends in the USAF, he's not a PVT 1st Class....

good luck...

Sorry, Airman 1st Class :doh!:

Yes, I wear contacts corrected to 20/20.

I am afraid that denial is set in stone so to speak... Any idea on that?

[ringjamesa]

I have quite the long story, please bear with me and I will attempt to make it as painless as possible.
Timeline:
Mid 2004:
- Attempted to join USAF. Scored well on all tests except one, eyesight.
- My waiver was denied by the USAF Surgeon General. My denial was for the following: Refraction of -10 in the right eye. -8 is the limit for enlisting.
- After this denial, I was told by my recruiter I was permanantly DQed, and there was nothing I could do to change that. He stated the USAF Surgeon General's DQ also DQed me from every other branch.
2006:
- Multiple eye exams show the refraction in my right eye to be -8.
- Called a recruiter to inquire as to a re-submission or appeal of a waiver denial. For lack of a better term, was told to blow-off.
2007-2008:
- I tell a good friend of mine about the benefits of joining the USAF.
Late 2008:
- My friend joins and ships.
Mid 2009 (Present):
- My friend, now Pvt 1st Class sits down with his MTI and discusses my scenario. His MTI tells him the Surgeon General denial shouldn't permanantly DQ me, especially with my eyesight having gotten better. Also states the USAF Surgeon General DQ did not in fact DQ me from any other branch.
- I am skeptical, but again call a recruiter who tells me "MTI's give out false information. Your done if you were DQed."
- Unsure of who to believe, I contacted the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, who heard me out and directed me to the USAF Surgeon Generals Office.
- After speaking to the USAF Surgeon Generals Office, I was sent to call a Mr David Noble of the Force Development Branch.
- Currently awaiting communication with Mr David Nobel.
Ok, so that basically sums up a few years worth of my battle to get into the USAF. My goal was intentionally to join into a medical field such as Radiology. Since 04 I've been pursuing a career in Law Enforcement and would probably join in to the AF Security Forces had I the chance.
I kind of feel like I am getting the run around as of now, but am taking the fact these offices are hearing me out and not telling me to "blow off" as a good sign.
My eyes refraction is -8. No surgery was performed. I am 23 years old, healthy, fit, with no medical, legal, or other troubles.
I find it hard to believe I am "done" as the recruiters would have me believe. So what's your input?
Also note, I am a dual citizen with the UK. The RAF has already expressed I am eligible for service. However, I haven't lived in the UK since I was 2 and that is not something I'd like to pursue. I just find it horrible that another country would have me join, but I am having such a problem here. (Yes, I understand requirements differ, but I MEET the requirements here.)
Do I have a chance? Any advice on who to call, what to do, or the like?
Thanks,
C Hackett

first off, keep in mind the Recruiter doesn't make the call he/she just gets the job of telling you the decision that was made. second, there is more to the story. for it to have even gone to AF SG, MEPS had to DQ you. THAT is what DQ's you for every service not the AF SG's decision. BAsically what happened was MEPS DQ'd you but probably reccomended a waiver. Your recruiter submitted your waiver and it was diasapproved. Recruiter had the not so great task of informing you. If you have civilian records that dispute MEPS' findings, you can submit those. MEPS i wrong all the time but when they make a call, it sticks until disproven. You can give you additional documents to your recrutier to submit back to MEPS or the AF SG or send them directly to SG-since you are already in contact with them. If they still say you are DQ, you are SOL. One thing to keep in mind, with your recruiter, it isn't personal, he/she has other qualified applicants to work and while you may be the nicest person in the world, right now, you are DQ...

[Hackett27]

first off, keep in mind the Recruiter doesn't make the call he/she just gets the job of telling you the decision that was made. second, there is more to the story. for it to have even gone to AF SG, MEPS had to DQ you. THAT is what DQ's you for every service not the AF SG's decision. BAsically what happened was MEPS DQ'd you but probably reccomended a waiver. Your recruiter submitted your waiver and it was diasapproved. Recruiter had the not so great task of informing you. If you have civilian records that dispute MEPS' findings, you can submit those. MEPS i wrong all the time but when they make a call, it sticks until disproven. You can give you additional documents to your recrutier to submit back to MEPS or the AF SG or send them directly to SG-since you are already in contact with them. If they still say you are DQ, you are SOL. One thing to keep in mind, with your recruiter, it isn't personal, he/she has other qualified applicants to work and while you may be the nicest person in the world, right now, you are DQ...

Good advice, thank you.

[Smeghead]

Also note, I am a dual citizen with the UK. The RAF has already expressed I am eligible for service. However, I haven't lived in the UK since I was 2 and that is not something I'd like to pursue. I just find it horrible that another country would have me join, but I am having such a problem here.

FWIW, you're not a dual citizen in Britain. The UK doesn't recognize dual citizenship and you'd have to drop whatever claims to any other nationality if you want to serve past four years. My UK Passort is being held at the UK Consulate so I could reenlist. You can't renounce British citizenship unless you do it in front of the Monarch.

Completely irrelevant to your case I know, but some awesome trivia for you.

As to what your friend's MTI said. MTIs aren't recruiters. Regardless of your opinion of what your recruiter is telling you, he's the gatekeeper. If he says you're in, you're in. If you piss him and make him not want to help you, then he'll spend his time on the applicants he CAN push through.

As is said a lot on here, you need the Air Force, the Air Force doesn't need you. Follow Ring's advice, and keep trying. If you're insistent without being pushy your recruiter may be more willing to go that extra mile and help you out.

Then, if you do make it, life will suck for you for about, oh 8 and a half weeks. /evil grin

[Hackett27]

UPDATE:

After speaking with those it concerned, the verdict is:

After 2 years you should be able to re-apply regardless, especially if your condition has gotten better. I have been instructed to get a full eye and retinal exam and bring that documentation to a recruiter. If the recruiter refuses to help me, I am to direct him to call the recruiting headquarters.

Basically, I am getting another trip to MEPS, which is what I have been after for so long.

[LOAL-D]

Well, good luck!.....

[nikkir2004]

I had to get a waiver to join for my eye sight.. i joined back in 2006 and my eye sight at the time was right at a -8 but they said it was -9 in one eye and -8.75 in another.

mind you my eyes have been the same rx ever since i needed glasses in the 3rd grade. my vision is corrected to 20/20 with contacts

so after that as im sure it happened to you i was sent home imediately.. but my waiver did get approved by the SG and i went back to MEPS and was seen by a real eye DR who gave to ok on my eyes.

on another note... my husband has been in for 7 yrs and is a cop and he absolutely hates it, he does want to be a civilan cop and that is why he choose security forces, you have rediculously long hours you don't get every holiday, down day, or weekend off... but he didn't work the LE side and doesn't want to... currently he is a CATM instructor now and loves that.

Good luck!

[Hackett27]

Thanks for all the insight everyone.

Another update: I am now armed with hard copies of full examinations from two seperate doctors.
Right eye: -8
Left eye: -6

Now to go sit down and shake some hands.

[ringjamesa]

UPDATE:

After speaking with those it concerned, the verdict is:

After 2 years you should be able to re-apply regardless, especially if your condition has gotten better. I have been instructed to get a full eye and retinal exam and bring that documentation to a recruiter. If the recruiter refuses to help me, I am to direct him to call the recruiting headquarters.

Basically, I am getting another trip to MEPS, which is what I have been after for so long.

not necessarily. Your documents will get a trip to MEPS. Then the Doc will determine if you get another shot...