Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 2/14/2009

Question
What are the chances of the Air Force Reserve Surgeon
General approving my medical waiver for stress fractures.
MEPS denied my waiver so my recruiter has sent it to the
Surgeon General.

Answer
Pretty good.  If your recruiter has elevated your waiver to the Air Force Reserve Surgeon General then he believes you've got a chance.  There are too many volunteers out there for him to waste time with someone who doesn't have a chance.  Your MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) is a busy place and unfortunately they won't waste time with waivers.  They're being sent applicants from several different recruiters around the state and they'll just do whatever's quick and easy for them.  The Surgeon General's office is not quite the fast-paced environment that the
MEPS is and they will give you a fair evaluation  What they look for is a medical condition that will eventually heal or go away so you won't cost them money down the road, years from now.

Stress fractures occur most commonly in a weight-bearing bone such as your lower leg.  Healing is slow because you are continually putting weight on that leg.  Rest is the only option for complete healing of a stress fracture, usually 4-8 weeks if the fracture is minor or 3-4 months if the stress fracture is more severe.  You'll need to be in tip-top shape physically to successfully graduate from basic training.  Afterward, the Air Force is more of a relaxed pace.  The Surgeon General's office knows that a stress fracture is minor and will eventually heal.  Worst case, you can try again later or they may grant you a delayed entry of several months so you may heal properly.

I'm glad to see you're considering the military.
Good luck in whatever career you choose!
Colonel H