Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 8/30/2009

Question
My son 19 years old with two year college experience in engineering, excellent behavior records, grades and highest ASVAB scores, can't enlist. He had been pushed mentally and psychologically into believing his life was in the Navy. After months of getting records and doing all what was required it all came down with one last test...hearing. No one knew he had some hearing loss. All his world came down. Heartbroken with no explanation he was rejected with no input on what other areas he could go for as to serve his country as he always wanted. Does the Navy or other military body reject handicaps, are there no jobs in the military for people with hearing loss, is there an opening for young men that have done everything well in life, never been in drugs, gangs, or any antisocial behavior? I've seen people that don't deserve to get weapons in there hands being recruited. I Know there are jobs people can do even with a hearing aid, if necessary. I thought the President wanted to enlist smart, the best, the willing and hard working to be defending our country.Where can I help my son be directed to? as the recruits that were all over him for months are MIA?

Answer
Dear Janette --

First -- stop being angry.  The military has physical, mental and moral standards to recruit young people that can do the job, and protect the other recruits from people who might not be able to do the job, which could put everyone in danger.

Now, hearing loss can be waived, if it is in certain frequencies.  Since I have no idea of how profound your son's hearing loss is, I cannot even guess if he is eligible for a waiver or not.  The only way to know is to work with a recruiter to submit a medical waiver to the medical board.

However, all the services have filled all their recruitment requirements for fiscal year 2009.  Your son's best bet is to request a waiver with delayed entry after 1 October 2009 when the fiscal year changes.

Finally, the hearing test at MEPS is subtle, and the guidance on how to take it is often poor.  I recommend your son have his hearing tested elsewhere with a less obscure system, and determine if he really has hearing loss, or if he just took the test badly.  Just for reference, my first MEPS test showed my hearing to be inadequate, but when I had the test redone in another military medical facility I was actually better than required.  MEPS did not tell any of us what sounds to listen for and when to push the hearing button or when to release it.  All the women on my MEPS reporting date failed their hearing test (maybe that was the intent in 1978?), however most of us requested waivers and entered the service anyway.

If your son does indeed have profound hearing loss, he can serve his country as a Department of the Navy civilian.  There are special programs for high quality candidates with physical disability.

Please write back, if you have additional questions.  Good luck to your son.