Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 4/6/2009

Question
The doctors at boot-camp never did any type of tests on my knee to see weather or not it was strong. They just looked at my medical records and decided that i wasn't going to be able to complete training.

I was already two weeks into training without any problem, when the doctors went over my records and saw that i had that previous injury. The only reason that the doctors saw my medical records, is because one of my ankles was swollen from all the marching and the drill instructors made me go to the medical center to be looked at.

When i was being discharged the C.O told me that i could re-apply in 6 months with a waiver. But with the economy messed up they are not approving any medical waivers for prior enlistment. That's why i decided to finish my degree and hopefully by then the economy will be better and then i can go back in.

Answer
Dear Aaron --

You are lucky they did not hit you with a fraudulent enlistment for not reporting your prior knee injury on your medical history.  But since they did not, you do have a chance to come back in as an officer, with a medical waiver.  

I know you probably want to remain a Marine, but the Army is more likely to grant a waiver for your knee than the Marine Corps is.  If you are determined to become a Marine officer, then keep checking with your recruiting center.  The needs of the service change monthly.  The spring is the worst time for waivers since so many high school graduates with no medical problems and no criminal history enlist.  The fall is usually a good time to enlist because enlistments fall off around August/September.  You are right though, the economy will make if rough on folks who need waivers since more non-waiver candidates will apply.

Good luck to you.