Expert: Rod Powers - 6/4/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hi Rod,

My son joined the Navy and made it almost all the way through bootcamp (he was even on Ship Staff), the only things he didn't do were Battlestations and graduate.  His problem was that he couldn't pass the run for the PFA test and while in the FIT program he got a stress fracture of his left shin bone.  He was given time to heal and he was later declared fit for duty but his leg was (and still is) still hurting a bit and he just couldn't make the run - his last test he missed by 15 seconds.

He was just separated and was two weeks short of six months.  I haven't looked through his paperwork yet so I don't know the RE code or anything yet, but I was wondering if you could tell me that if in general it was possible to re-enter without a large hassle?

He DOES want to re-enter, in fact he's quite disappointed at all of this!  He has just returned, but he's already hitting the gym every day and says he wants to get "100% buff" so that he will have no problems at all next time in boot camp (in fact he said he actually enjoyed bootcamp!).

He said that they told him that he was eligible to re-enlist after six months and he said the Dr. told him the pain he's feeling is from "connective" tissue and that it will clear up in a few weeks, so for now he's lifting weights and doing low impact cardio and said he'll get back to running in a few weeks when his leg doesn't hurt.

He's disappointed, but in good spirits and seems determined to return to the Navy and is working hard towards that goal.

I'm just wondering what his chances are of returning, what he will need to do to return, and if he shouldn't wait a few extra months . . . you see he just turned 19.  From what I've read if he'd wait till he's 20 to re-enlist he would be given an extra minute for the PFA run.  Six months from now is December and he doesn't want to be in bootcamp over the holidays again, so he wanted to wait till January to re-enter.  If he's waiting 7 months I'm thinking maybe waiting 12 and getting an extra minute on the PFA run may not be a bad idea?

Also, does he have to wait six months before he talks to a recruiter, or can he go back into the Delayed Entry Program?

Thanks so much for your help and dedication!

ANSWER: Hi Steve,

I can't say for sure, because I don't know the RE Code. However, because they told him that he would be eligibile to re-enlist in six months, that probably means he received an RE Code of "3."

My personal advice would be to wait until he can pass the physical fitness test for his age-group. In fact, because he needs a waiver, the Navy may require him to prove that he can, before they grant the waiver.

In order to enlist in the DEP, I'm afraid that he must be totally qualified for enlistment. That means he's going to have to wait for the waiting time to be over, and he's going to have to have his waiver approved before he can enlist in the DEP.

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 Rod,

Thanks for the prompt reply!

I guess my real question is do they as a general rule grant these waivers or is it hit and miss depending upon each particular case?

Thanks!

Steve

Answer
Hi Steve,

All waiver cases are examined on a "case-by-case" basis.

The good news is that, other than this problem, which was medically-related, he appears to have done pretty good in basic. It will likely boil down to whether or not he can demonstrate that he can achieve the PT standards for his age-group, in order to have a waiver favorably considered.

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