Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 11/20/2009

Question
I got the Recruiter to write a waiver for the RE Code 2B and after all the questions to you and all we went thru to get there, he stated he would submit the waiver, and he would know something real soon. That was before he submitted the paper work. Now he states it might take up to a year.  I don't believe that because I know of someone who got a waiver since Oct with the same RE Code. What in the world can we do now.  It seems that no one gives a straight answer anymore, and it also seems that Army Recruiters just flat don't care.  Can you help.

Answer
Dear Wayne --

An answer on your waiver should take no more than 120 days.  The duration will depend on the waiver required, whether the waiver can be granted by an officer or must be reviewed by a board of officers, and when the board of officers will next meet.

Understand further that someone with extremely high or highly desired skills is more likely to receive a waiver than someone with average skills, or skills that are not in high demand.  For example, if someone is an Arabic language expert with high ASVAB scores, they will get higher priority for a waiver than someone with average ASVAB scores and no special skills.  Once available waivers are consumed in a given month, no new waivers will be granted until the recruiting need exceeds non-waiver applicants.  Timing is everything, if you need a waiver.

Some recruiters care a lot.  Some recruiters are only doing the recruiting job until they can get back to a military job they really like.  If you feel you have a recruiter that doesn't care, take your file to a new recruiting office.

Good luck to you.