Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 10/1/2010

Question
Good evening, Col. Howell,
For your sake, & because it's a common question, I'll bullet my points, Sir.

-USAF recruiter said good chance for high-demand linguist job due to 99th percentile on AFQT (assuming subsequently good DLAB score).
-However, pre-screen was disapproved by MEPS on Sept. 24 for 1 documented shoulder dislocation 5 years ago (in high school). Status of injury below.
-Recruiter called, notifying me that he sent my papers up to Surgeon General with an approximate wait time of 6 months minimum.
-Am anticipating a definitive recommendation to either stick it through or be realistic & drop my military aspirations, based on your experience. Am prepared to move on if need be.

Shoulder injury status in hospitalization record: no nerve damage, full ROM, no subsequent dislocations.

Would love to serve & continue to condition myself in spite of the bad news, in anticipation of a green light in the future.

Thank you, Col.,
Aldritch

Answer
Aldritch,
You're getting a headstart on the AF already.  Most briefings, talking papers, point papers, etc. are in bullet format.

A simple shoulder dislocation is not disqualifying, you must've required surgery or something severe.  Six months is more than enough time...the SG's office usually responds in 6-8 weeks.

If I were you, I'd plan for a career in the military.

Start preparing for the DLAB test now:  A website that has good suggestions is at:  http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/joiningup/a/dlab.htm

Not to scare you, but I'm proficient in 11 foreign languages and I found the DLAB difficult.  Already knowing another language didn't help much..it's just a lot of common sense stuff.

Good luck,
Colonel H