Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 7/13/2009

Question
I recently finished MEPS in Phoenix and am now Pending Disqualification due to 3 seizures that I had between 8 months and 5 years of age. They have sent a waiver to the Air Force Surgeon General and it's got me worried. I would like to know the odds of the waiver being accepted. I'm not sure what else the Surgeon General looks at, but I got a 92% on my ASVAAB, completed the physical, eye and hearing tests perfectly, other than failing a color blindness test, everything came back perfect. So will I be accepted?

Answer
Tyler,
Wow!  92% on the ASVAB is great!  That means you're probably qualified to do just about any job there is.

Usually the rule of thumb is ONE medical problem can be waived but not 2 or more.  It's hard to believe that they wouldn't waive seizures you had all those years ago.  Color blindness is also commonly waived.  But requiring 2 waivers will be tough.

Waivers can come quickly, or they can take a long time.  A lot of it depends upon your initiative and how well you are qualified otherwise.  High ASVAB scores, a willingness to choose from several different jobs, and keeping in regular contact with your recruiter can affect the waiver process.

I'm not saying it's impossible, just difficult.  Your recruiter evidently thinks you have a good chance or he wouldn't have processed a waiver for you.  It all depends on how much the AF needs people right now.

Should it not be approved, ask you recruiter what your chances are of reapplying on October 1st when the new 2010 recruiting quotas come out.

Please let me know how it works out for you.
Best of luck,
Colonel H