Expert: John L - 2/5/2012

Question
QUESTION: Mr. John L,

I am a prior service with just under 9 yrs. I was a great soldier making quick rank advancements and getting all the bells and whistles along the way. Several years ago while I was Instructing at a National Guard school, I was injured in an Motor Vehicle Accident and forced in to a medical discharge resulting in an RE-3 code for back/neck injuries. In the last several years I've done an immense amount of physical therapy to overcome my injuries and believe I have done so and even finished my BS degree. I've received documentation from the same doctors that medically boarded me saying that I'm as good as new, and have absolutely no restrictions.

The problem is that I was seen by the VA on referral for PTSD from my deployment. I was summarily awarded compensation, but have never received or needed counseling. I have received documentation from mental health saying they've reviewed my records and show no treatments or reasons to believe that I should have the PTSD label either.

I went through MEPS in July 2011 trying to get in to a guard position, but have yet to hear back. Last word is that somewhere between recruiter, MEPS, and NGB 2 documents were/are missing. I've since moved states, and still want to join. My preference is to return to AD position. As I understand it though, the RA is drawing down, and USAR and NG are quickly filling up.

At this point do I just ask my new local recruiter to restart the entire application packet? I would hate to have to throw away 10 months of processing. Also, what are the chances of getting back to AD? I know that USAR and NG are both in need of my MOS in the WO rank. I also speak a cat 4 language at at least 2/2. I don't know that those needs would necessarily help my Waiver process though. Any advice on the previous questions and/or advice on how I should go about future steps is greatly appreciated.
v/r,
Charles

ANSWER: Charles,

What would have to happen is the local recruiter would get your meps packet from the old state and have it sent to the new state.  You require two waivers, one from the state to allow you to join, and the then the other from NGB Medical to clear you on the accident related stuff and PTSD.  I will say, your chances are not good, as the military is not looking to recycle any more troops from the past.  Especially NCO's.  If you were an E5, you may have to take a reduction to E4 to be considered a well.

Your recruiter should be well versed on it, if your old recruiter thought there was a good chance, he would have followed up and had any issues taken care of.  Medical waivers take very little time to process after you go through MEPs.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The previous recruiter at least gave lip service in regards to my packet having a good chance to go through. That however, was last July while we still had a lot of things going on. Either way I plan to continue the paperwork. Worst case scenario, is a 'No'.

Is there a real difference in requirements between NGB and USAR when it comes to the waiver requirements? Either way you see the same CMO at MEPS, right? For future ability would either have benefit over the other in regards to returning to AD?

Thank you again for such a quick reply.
v/r,
Charles

Answer
If you get denied by one service, you can ask another.  I recently had a guy who was denied a medical waiver for an eye condition from the Guard, but was then accepted by the active Army.

The CMO is the same, but waiver authorities are different for each branch.