Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 10/21/2009

Question
Dr Howell,

First, allow me to thank you for volunteering on such a fabulous platform for providing peace-of-mind!

I am quite certain that my situation is not unique. Three years ago I graduated cum laude from a University with two bachelors degrees - one in Journalism and one in Political Science - and shortly thereafter found that the media industry evaporated. I've had an interest in the Navy for years as it continues to be the armed service with the best Public Affairs division, and now I am hoping to serve my country as well as my desire to report news.

However, shortly after graduation, I was a passenger in a car accident in which I suffered fractures in my neck and back, and I lost a significant level of hearing in my left ear (45 percent diagnosed, I believe). Though physical therapy has brought me to a nearly full recovery with my neck and back, the hearing loss is permanent, and the damage done to my credit report for unemployment reasons is extensive.

Everything is still tied up in litigation, though I understand that a small settlement is nearing. Once I receive those funds, the repair to the credit report will begin.

I also have a severe case of strabismus that has been present since childhood. It is primarily a cosmetic condition at this point. My vision is 20/20, and I do not have diplopia (double vision). But the condition prevents me from having any semblance of depth perception as my eyes operate independently.

My mini-AFQT score was good, but not exceptional. I scored a 69. I know I will score higher once I brush up on my math skills, but I still don't feel that my ASVAB scores will qualify me as exceptional enough to overlook all of the conditions above.

So, with all of that said, my question is three-fold: Do you think I will be eligible to enlist in the Navy at all? If so, do you think I would be eligible for OSC in a year or two? And, finally, would my chances be improved by waiting for the lawsuit to conclude and to clear up my credit?

Thank you for your consideration. Any consolation or advice you might have are tremendously appreciated!
---Best, Cheryl

Answer
Cheryl,
First let me express my sympathy for your losses via the accident.

Let me attack your questions individually.

According to the military medical regulations here's a direct quote about hearing and eyes.  Hopefully from this information you can determine if you qualify.

HEARING:
The cause for rejection for appointment, enlistment, and induction is a hearing threshold level greater than that described in paragraph c below.

a. Audiometers, calibrated to standards of the International Standards Organization (ISO 1964) or the American National Standards Institute (ANSI 1996), will be used to test the hearing of all applicants.

b. All audiometric tracings or audiometric readings recorded on reports of medical examination or other medical records will be clearly identified.

c. Acceptable audiometric hearing levels (both ears) are:

(1) Pure tone at 500, 1000, and 2000 cycles per second of not more than 30 decibels (dB) on the average (each ear), with no individual level greater than 35dB at these frequencies.

(2) Pure tone level not more than 45 dB at 3000 cycles per second each ear, and 55 dB at 4000 cycles per second each ear.

EYES:
3) Strabismus, uncorrectable by lenses to less than 40 diopters or accompanied by diplopia.

4) Strabismus, surgery for the correction of, within the preceding 6 months.

A score of 69 on the AFQT is indeed good.  99 is the maximum, so you're well above average.

Don't sweat the ASVAB.  There's no way you can really study for it.  Sometimes called an aptitude test, the real reason it's called a "battery" and not a "test" is because it's impossible to pass it or fail it.  It's not a test like you take in school where 70% is passing, etc.  It's just a group of questions arranged together that help an expert determine what kind of work you're most likely qualified for.  The ASVAB is the most widely used aptitude evaluation in the world. It is designed to measure your strengths, weaknesses, and potential for future success.  The ASVAB provides you with career information for various occupations and is an indicator for success.

Everybody is good at something, the ASVAB just helps determine what it is you'll probably do best.  Nothing is more miserable than being stuck in a job that you can't do, or hate.  They don't want to make you a mechanic when you'd really be happier and more productive being a news reporter.  The higher your score score just means you do indeed have some ability and the military would like to hire you.  If you actually ended up with a score of 12 or 15, it means you probably have no useful ability other than begging for change on a street corner.

The ASVAB is multiple choice, with four possible answers to every question.  There are several web sites on-line that lets you take a "practice" ASVAB so you can see what it's like.

For your last question.  Yes, your chances will be greatly improved by waiting for the lawsuit to conclude and help clear up your credit.

Given all the above information you can see where you fit in physically and tell in advance what your chances are.  If you can get into the Navy you should most certainly be eligible for OCS.  You're too well educated to enter enlisted.

I hope you make it.
Colonel H