Posted on Feb 13, 2020
Brandon Hagen
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Hello all, I am a 26 year old male wanting to serve in the Air Force (formerly planned to join the Army), and as such, I got the process started back in December 3, 2019. I went to MEPS on December 12 for testing and did well enough to proceed with enlistment (93 on CAT-ASVAB AFQT, 71 on ICTLS, and a Pass on TAPAS), and did my physical just last Tuesday (February 11, 2020). Hearing and vision tests were OK, and so were weight and height measurements, as well as most other measurements (such as BP/HR, some ortho-neuro tests), and I am waiting for my blood and urine results. However, there were some issues with my Physical that resulted in a TDQ, as well as pending Consults. The issues pointed out by the CMO were as follows: Urinalysis (Albumin), Left eye (Esotropia), Ortho-neuro manuevers (failed four), and unusual demeanor (cognitive issues). As a result, the CMO labeled me partially disqualified for service, pending a consult, and this was reported to my recruiter. On the consult, I was told that I will be re-tested on ortho-neuro maneuvers, urinalysis, possibly my left eye (may be a moot point as the CMO pointed out that my left eye may need a waiver), and psychiatric evaluation, which, depending of the outcome, may require a waiver. I would like to serve, but the consult may prevent that ambition from becoming true, and haven't heard from the recruiter or the MEPS regarding this matter since. What should I do?
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Responses: 10
MSG Logistics Analyst
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DO like everyone else that has served in the military, hurry up and wait. Nothing happens fast.
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PVT Stephen Osenegg
PVT Stephen Osenegg
5 y
PFC Jeffrey Herrington - That's a little bit harsh don't you think? Albeit, I kind of agree. Sounds like a very weird situation to me. Might not be qualified, but having gone to MEPS on more than one occasion, and paying attention to things around me, that really does seem rather unusual.
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PVT Stephen Osenegg
PVT Stephen Osenegg
5 y
PFC Jeffrey Herrington - That's definitely a first I have heard of that, but I can relate. I used to zone out while running, and sometimes I'd run to the point where my feet went completely numb. One of my best scores on the APFT was 12:50 for the 2 mile. Pushups and situps weren't really my thing though. Never have been.
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CPT Advisor
CPT (Join to see)
5 y
PFC Jeffrey Herrington - Not really much of a clinical picture, but albuminuria usually indicates some type of damage to the kidneys. We routinely test for microalbumin in diabetics to assess diabetic nephropathy. My guess is that the esotropia and failed ortho-neuro maneuvers are probably related to some kind of prior nerve/brain injury. "Unusual demeanor" is kind of a catch-all and was probably more of a general gut-feeling of the provider that he needed further evaluation based on the totality of his interaction. PVT Stephen Osenegg
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Brandon Hagen
Brandon Hagen
5 y
I do not drink or do drugs, or do any of those weird things, so there's no way I would be high, nor the liver being pickled. As for Albumin issue, I was dehydrated hours leading up to it, and I generally have a high-protein diet, and metabolic panels show that my kidneys are normal. Whether my failure of orthos and eyes are linked to nerve/brain damage is yet to be determined, but I would doubt a diabetic one (A1C levels show absence of diabetic/prediabetic conditions of at least 3 months). Needless to say, I was a bit nervous that day (it was my first full-physical-in-a-day situation), and I am not a wall walker.
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SSG Squad Leader
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The air force? That’s the problem! Army takes more physical discrepancies!
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Brandon Hagen
Brandon Hagen
5 y
That is, if the Army recruiters agree to burden themselves with a MEPS DQ Army wannabe, and to start all paperwork anew, with possibility of having to deal with waivers at the recruiters office.
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SSG Squad Leader
SSG (Join to see)
5 y
You won’t know until you try. And I’m sure someone will take on the waivers. Brandon Hagen
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Brandon Hagen
Brandon Hagen
5 y
Talking with Army recruiters in two days (Navy/AF both a no-go). What should I ask and expect from the meeting with the Army recruiters?
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MSgt Nondestructive Inspection (NDI)
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I have to ask about the unusual demeanor... what the hell were you doing, licking windows???
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Brandon Hagen
Brandon Hagen
5 y
What the "unusual demeanor" was walking a bit limping, and feeling of nervousness. Nothing near what you describe.
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MSgt Nondestructive Inspection (NDI)
MSgt (Join to see)
5 y
Brandon Hagen - many people are nervous at MEPS. Did you get a referral?
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Brandon Hagen
Brandon Hagen
5 y
The CMO that day said that there may be a consult pulled for the demeanor part, so it's anyone's guess. Guarantee or not, not sure.
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