Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 6/26/2008

Question
QUESTION: Sorry Ma'am but I forgot I had have one more question to ask you. My question is would it be possible to obtain a waiver for an amputated left index finger? I can do everything I could before the amputation so it's not a problem. The Marine Corps OSO had me submit videos of me doing pull ups, monkey bars, and other things that will show that I have the same abilities that I had prior to the accident. Is a waiver possible for this situation?

ANSWER: Dear Warrick --

Yes, a waiver is possible, from a military medical board.  Get your DD-214 reclassified, and then try your re-enlistment again.  It will take longer because you will be rejected at MEPS.  Then you will apply for the medical waiver for your finger, and get an answer from the board.

I recommend you get your DD 214 corrected no matter what you decide to do, so you are eligible for veterans' services.

Good luck to you.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello again, ma'am. I have 2 more questions to ask. In your answer to one of my previous questions, you said that there are some lawyers available that will help me put together a correction package pro bono, if I do not have the funds to pay for a lawyer to help you and to talk to the veterans' services office in your state. I did contact the veterans' services office here in Tennessee and they said they had no idea what I was talking about. I'm going to try again because I didn't believe that. Do you know of any other services that I could look into? My second question is if the board does upgrade my discharge and re code, will I be eligible to attend OCS or WOC(I haven't decided which one yet. I'm leaning toward OCS)? I ask because I didn't know if the fact that my re code and discharge were upgraded would keep me from that.


Answer
Dear Warrick --

You may have to do a web search to find a lawyer in your area that will help you build a military board of corrections package pro-bono.  If your local veteran's assistance office has never had a MBC case, they won't know what assistance you need.

Since you need a waiver to re-enlist, you will not be eligible for OCS on your first tour.  However, you can apply for OCS or Warrant Officer School any time as a Soldier using the DA form 4187.  Your chain of command will have to endorse your application, so don't apply until you have proved to them you can do a good job, and have the potential to be a good leader.

Good luck to you on all counts.