Expert: Rod Powers - 11/4/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hi I was wondering what my chances of getting back into the Army.  I tore my ACL playing high school football in 2003, and had corrective surgery in Nov. 2003.  I joined the Army in April 2005, anyway, during basic training I pulled a muscle during training and went to see the doc.  He told me that it was because the upper thigh muscles were not strong enough to support my weight, because I was just released from physical therapy shortly before joining.  He told me I could sit on base a rehab for a year or more.  Or recommended that I discharge go home rehab there and then get back in.  Well its been over two years since I was discharged and since I've gone back to my surgeon and he has cleared me and I went to my physical therapist and did a overall lower extremity strength test and passed indicating I was fully recovered (no joint instability, no pain, and the muscles can now fully sustain my body weight).  So what are my chances of getting back into the Army.  And Ive already retaken the ASVAB and scored a 73.  Thank you

ANSWER: Hi Brandon,

You explained everything, except the most important points.

When you were discharged, what was the discharge characterization and the RE Code (Reenlistment Eligibility Code) entered on your DD Form 214 (Record of Military Service)?

These are the most important factors in determining whether or not you would be eligible to re-enlist in the Army.

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my U.S. Military information site at: http://usmilitary.about.com. Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com

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

QUESTION: Sorry about that.  My RE Code is 3 and the separation code is JFW.  Thank you

ANSWER: Hi Brandon,

With an RE code of "3," that means you are eligible to apply to re-enter the Army, with an approved waiver. In order for the Army to consider a waiver, you're going to have to convince them that the original reason for discharge is no longer a factor, and isn't likely to be a factor in the future. As a minimum, that means they are going to want to see copies of all of your post-military medical records.

With that being said, there's no real way to tell for sure whether or not the Army will approve a medical waiver (see my article at: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/medicalwaiver.htm.

However, The Army (and Marine Corps) are both increasing in size between last year and the year 2013, which means they are undergoing a "recruiting challenge," and are much more likley to favorably consider waivers (of all kinds) than they have in years past.

I think your chances of a waiver are probably pretty good for the Army or Marine Corps, and probably not as good for enlistment in the Air Force, Navy, or Coast Guard.

All you can do is visit an Army recruiter and see what happens.

Good luck!

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my U.S. Military information site at: http://usmilitary.about.com.

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com

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

QUESTION: Hi I tried to join the Marine Corps was not justified to physical and its probably due to lack of documentation.  The doctor disqualified me for internal derangement of the knee.  However all I had for medical documentation was 1 piece of paper saying my doctor released me.  Since that I am now trying to the IL army national guard and I know have my doctors entire dictation from my check up stating that I in fact do NOT have an internal derangement of the knee and I have physical therapy reports saying that my knee is perfectly healthy.  So both documents are very detailed in what they say recommending for military service.  Will the MEPS doctors look at my paperwork again or will they ignore it.  I mean since I trying to join and entirely different service and that its through the state does the recruiter just have resubmit the paper work to MEPS for a physical.  

P.S. with this new documentation stating that I do not have internal derangement of the knee can the MEPS doctor deny for the same thing without physically seeing me.  I just figured it was from a lack of documentation that I was DQ.  Thank you

Answer
Hi,

Your MEPS medical physical is valid for two years. If your last MEPS physical was less than two years ago, that's what they will go by.

MEPS generally does not give much weight to private doctor recommendations when it comes to qualifications for Military service, as such doctors are not trained in the medical standards required for Military service.

However, even if one fails to meet the minimum standards for Military service at MEPS, medical waivers can be granted by the service you're applying to join. For details, see my article at: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/medicalwaiver.htm.

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my U.S. Military information site at: http://usmilitary.about.com.

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com