Ok back story in 1999 when i was 17 (26 now) i got shot at and a bullet got lodged just below my skin on my left wrist and shrapnel from either the bullet or glass cut my left cheek and right nostril , these cuts were less than a half a inch, they were just laceration, no muscle /nerve/bone damage. i got an MRI and an Xray and everything seemed fine. The bullet on left wrist was taken out and stictched. i have full range of motion in my wrist and seriously completely fine.. i even came home the same night it happend. i was rushed to La county USC emergency room.. did a xray there and cat scan.. then moved to kaiser cuz i had insurance.. And got stitched and bullet removal at Kaiser.

i got all my medical records from kaiser minus the x-ray and cat scan cuz i think its at la county.

Sent it into MEPS.. DEFERRED . Dr's at meps said i needed a bullet managment report

Got a physical for my injuries from a doctor and he wrote a letter of recomendation saying than im physically fit.

Sent it into MEPS.. DEFFERRED

Now the DR. at Meps said he needs this.

"Single Report in exact nature of injury and management"


Ok im going to medical records tomorrow at LA USC and hoefully they have something..

But what should i do?

Should i go get a xray and cat scan of my face and wrist so a Dr. can give a no bs report saying that im good?

cuz really it was so minimal.. but i know the Dr.'s at meps probably think i almost died or something.

I just want to join already

-Mike

I went through the same thing when I reenlisted after a 14 year break in service. There comes a point where a hospital no longer has your medical info on file. If this is the case then get a letter stating that they don't have any info on you. If MEPS is still not satisfied then they will send you to for a referal. I provided the complete medical records of my shoulder surgury and they still sent me to a specialist to get checked out.

The bottom line is the docs want to be completly sure that they are not OKing someone who is deadlined by another doc.  I can understand that and the advice to go to the LA clinic with the police report and get a copy or statement and then get the MEPPS or your recruiter to tell you the next step.  Just do exactly what they say and provide them with what they ask for.  They are trying to meet the requirements for entry level Soldiers.  Funny thing is I could never pass an entry level physical because of all the crap that has happened to me in 32 years of service.  I just have to stay in if I want to keep going.

So i went to the Hospital today and requested my files. it will take 2 weeks.

While thats being processed u think i should go get another xray and mri scan so a dr. of radiology can give me a report of no physical damage?

I mean if it takes me spending money and getting this report and mri's and x-rays. hell i will do what it takes for me to get accepted.

Records that old are probably microfiched, so getting them takes a while.  Be patient.

A new CT or MRI cannot tell you anything more than what is physically there, fragments, etc.  Think of it like a road map.  Now if you were to go to an orthopedic surgeon, and he did strength, and range of motion, and deficit testing, and all came out normal, he would certify that in writing, and you should be GTG.

If you are going to arrange this out-of-pocket, figure 500-700 for the CT or MRI, including report, and about the same for a consult with the orthopedist.

The MEPS doctors, like most bureaucrats, are only interested in making the safe decision, and the safe decision is always "NO".

You should be able to get past them, but it's going to require a lot of patience on your part.  Good luck

Quoted: Records that old are probably microfiched, so getting them takes a while.  Be patient. A new CT or MRI cannot tell you anything more than what is physically there, fragments, etc.  Think of it like a road map.  Now if you were to go to an orthopedic surgeon, and he did strength, and range of motion, and deficit testing, and all came out normal, he would certify that in writing, and you should be GTG. If you are going to arrange this out-of-pocket, figure 500-700 for the CT or MRI, including report, and about the same for a consult with the orthopedist.

If it takes that much.. then i will... thanks for the advice . i will make an appointment with a orthopedic surgeon next week and hopefully i can work this out..

thanx again


-Mike

Quoted: The MEPS doctors, like most bureaucrats, are only interested in making the safe decision, and the safe decision is always "NO". You should be able to get past them, but it's going to require a lot of patience on your part.  Good luck

Thanx Nimrod... Yeah i get what your saying about the MEPS Docs ..  But im just so frustrated with all this..

Hopefully they will accept me.


-Mike

UPDATE!!!!  DEFERRED AGAIN

Well i got all my stuff from LA County USC Medical and even a Letter from LA USC saying they do not have any Xray reports or films and even got a letter from my primary doctor giving a summary of my medical records and i thought this would be it they would aprove me and i would go to MEPS to do my Physical.

Then on april 1st i got a call from my recruiter saying they deferred me again because they cannot read the medical records because of the Dr's writing is not legible enough.And this recruiter keeps on insisting me to go to a different MEPS and just lie about it (my gunshot) and everything will be ok. But hell nahh im not gonna lie about it and during the time im serving im worried about getting fraudulent enlistment.I WILL NOT DO IT. So i ask him what i should do then he said AGAIN lets just go to a diff meps and not tell them shit. So im like I'll call you back cuz im at work. I think im done with this recruiter. And who knows if this guy is telling me the truth. Like honestly i dont even know if he did send my new papers.

So i got in touch with a fellow arfcommer from the CA ARNG (foogoo) Who got in touch with a good friend which is a recruiter. And i will be calling her as soon as i get over the flu . And hopefully when i join i can get foogoo some money from G-RAP. He has been really helpful . Thanks Again Bro.


has anyone heard about MEPS defering people because medical records were un readable? because the dr's hand wring was bad? Then what am i suppose to do?

And Does the MEPS where i took the ASVAB have a record of my ASVAB score or do i have to get it from my old recruiter?

Wish me luck AGAIN..

-Mike

There's always the French Foreign Legion; I heard they're always looking for people...

Quoted: UPDATE!!!!  DEFERRED AGAIN Well i got all my stuff from LA County USC Medical and even a Letter from LA USC saying they do not have any Xray reports or films and even got a letter from my primary doctor giving a summary of my medical records and i thought this would be it they would aprove me and i would go to MEPS to do my Physical. Then on april 1st i got a call from my recruiter saying they deferred me again because they cannot read the medical records because of the Dr's writing is not legible enough.And this recruiter keeps on insisting me to go to a different MEPS and just lie about it (my gunshot) and everything will be ok. But hell nahh im not gonna lie about it and during the time im serving im worried about getting fraudulent enlistment.I WILL NOT DO IT. So i ask him what i should do then he said AGAIN lets just go to a diff meps and not tell them shit. So im like I'll call you back cuz im at work. I think im done with this recruiter. And who knows if this guy is telling me the truth. Like honestly i dont even know if he did send my new papers. So i got in touch with a fellow arfcommer from the CA ARNG (foogoo) Who got in touch with a good friend which is a recruiter. And i will be calling her as soon as i get over the flu . And hopefully when i join i can get foogoo some money from G-RAP. He has been really helpful . Thanks Again Bro. has anyone heard about MEPS defering people because medical records were un readable? because the dr's hand wring was bad? Then what am i suppose to do? And Does the MEPS where i took the ASVAB have a record of my ASVAB score or do i have to get it from my old recruiter? Wish me luck AGAIN.. -Mike

You are what we used to call TR (temporarily rejected).

TR's happen for all kinds of reasons.  And yes they can happen for unreadable doc's because the MEPS doctor can not really tell what exactly you were treated for.

They will normally err on the side of caution so that the military is not liable at a later date if something related to the previous injury pops up.

If the correct documents cannot be tracked down then they will usually send you for a consult with a specialist at the MEPS or one contracted with MEPS outside.

Sometimes an injury can take multiple consults. Such as Orthopedic and Neurological which could be your case for a bullet wound.

As far as going to a different MEPS. I believe nowadays they are all connected electronically so if you are rejected at one when they put your social security number in at another your record will pop up.

Quoted: UPDATE!!!!  DEFERRED AGAIN Well i got all my stuff from LA County USC Medical and even a Letter from LA USC saying they do not have any Xray reports or films and even got a letter from my primary doctor giving a summary of my medical records and i thought this would be it they would aprove me and i would go to MEPS to do my Physical. Then on april 1st i got a call from my recruiter saying they deferred me again because they cannot read the medical records because of the Dr's writing is not legible enough.And this recruiter keeps on insisting me to go to a different MEPS and just lie about it (my gunshot) and everything will be ok. But hell nahh im not gonna lie about it and during the time im serving im worried about getting fraudulent enlistment.I WILL NOT DO IT. So i ask him what i should do then he said AGAIN lets just go to a diff meps and not tell them shit. So im like I'll call you back cuz im at work. I think im done with this recruiter. And who knows if this guy is telling me the truth. Like honestly i dont even know if he did send my new papers. So i got in touch with a fellow arfcommer from the CA ARNG (foogoo) Who got in touch with a good friend which is a recruiter. And i will be calling her as soon as i get over the flu . And hopefully when i join i can get foogoo some money from G-RAP. He has been really helpful . Thanks Again Bro. has anyone heard about MEPS defering people because medical records were un readable? because the dr's hand wring was bad? Then what am i suppose to do? And Does the MEPS where i took the ASVAB have a record of my ASVAB score or do i have to get it from my old recruiter? Wish me luck AGAIN.. -Mike

Your Recruiter is an idiot. MEPS share information. If you get DQ'd at one MEPS, you cannot go across country to join at another one. That form you filled out called a 2807 was scanned into the computer system and is tracked by your social. If you try, you will be tagged as a "MEPs jumper" and turned away. If they feel like being dicks about it, they can DQ you for up to a year for MEPS jumping. Don't do it.

Be honest and have some patience and things will eventually work themselves out.

I'm uncertain of the legality, but I served with quite a few people that fraudulently enlisted one way or the other.

For medical reasons, such as you describe (specifically a soldier with pins in his ankle that did not declare their existence to Recruiter, MEPS, or anyone until they started giving him pain after a year and a half in...) I have seen at least a half dozen instances where "existing prior to enlistment" medical problems that act up while enlisted are "grandfathered" in and treated and the soldier continues his enlistment with zero punishment.

But, I'm assuming that since it is "fraudulent enlistment" that it would be a gamble and is not advisable because you still have the potential for an Entry Level Seperation (which basically means you never enlisted and never served) or some actual criminal charges.

Lifes full of risks.

MEPS is where dead docktors go before the afterlife

Quoted: MEPS is where dead docktors go before the afterlife

I don't want to be disrespectful to the doctors that do thhis job, but that was the exact impression I had when i went through MEPS.

Apparently we are not in need of bodies are they would have sent you right through.
Join a different branch of service then the one this recruiter is in.  I had to get waivers by the SGM to get in.  I also served with guys who had medical conditions they did not disclose like a bad heart valve are something.  His Dad was a Dr. and would mail him his prescription every month.

Good luck.

Quoted: Quoted: MEPS is where dead docktors go before the afterlife I don't want to be disrespectful to the doctors that do thhis job, but that was the exact impression I had when i went through MEPS.

I have been through meps a couple times myself, so I wasn't just makin' shit up

Quoted: I'm uncertain of the legality, but I served with quite a few people that fraudulently enlisted one way or the other. For medical reasons, such as you describe (specifically a soldier with pins in his ankle that did not declare their existence to Recruiter, MEPS, or anyone until they started giving him pain after a year and a half in...) I have seen at least a half dozen instances where "existing prior to enlistment" medical problems that act up while enlisted are "grandfathered" in and treated and the soldier continues his enlistment with zero punishment. But, I'm assuming that since it is "fraudulent enlistment" that it would be a gamble and is not advisable because you still have the potential for an Entry Level Seperation (which basically means you never enlisted and never served) or some actual criminal charges. Lifes full of risks.

Yep, there are lot's of people in the .Mil who didn't tell their recruiter about their medical issues. Nothing the recruiter can do about that. But, since this kid was honest from the get go, he will have to go throught the waiver process and hope for the best.

Lesson learned, if it ain't gonna kill you on active duty, keep it between yourself and God. Once it's on paper, it's not going away.

Do you guys think i have any hope of getting accepted?

Yes you will, just hang in there.

Dude you will get in. What you describe is minor compared to some of the stuff I've seen joes make it in with.

If the original treating hospital does not have any of the original records then do this:

get a medical evaluation by an Orthopaedic trauma surgeon who specializes in extremity injuries. Preferably by a Doc who works at THE Level One Trauma center in town. Tell the Physician exactly what you need when you go into the exam room, no Bullshit.

You will probably have to set this up yourself, he will likely recommend a CT scan of your wrist along with new plain films.

Get this completed, and ask the Orthopaedic Trauma surgeon who specializes in a extremity injuries to right a detailed letter on the history or your injuries, initial treatment, current range of motion, muscle strength, neurologic function and any limitations.

Bring this to MEPs and I bet you the Docs there would be satisified.

Anyone can get a letter from their private MDs, family medicine MD, but the MEPs Physcians are not going to care about this.  

They want a eval by a properly trained Ortho guy.

Quoted: Do you guys think i have any hope of getting accepted?

I was talking with some people I respect in my unit this weekend at drill regarding my seemingly never-ending quest to get out of my unit who doesn't want to release me so I can deploy. Something one of them told me was

"You'll find a way to do what you want. Don't let Commander, 1SG or anyone try to stop you."

Hang in there, you'll get through the paperwork and docs in no time.

*****UPDATE*****  MEPS APPROVED

Ok so my OLD recruiter got to talk with a Colonel at MEPS and said that the Docs were giving a excuse of bad handwriting for my defferement, so the Colonel got  to talk to the Docs at MEPS and they Approved me. Sorry thats in a nutshell... And i asked my old recruiter and MEPS knows 100% about my gunshot.

So next Thursday the 17th i will be on the floor of MEPS for my physical.Then hopefully get to sign on that dotted line as a 11b! Wish me luck and pray for me guys!

And i would like to thank all you guys for giving me some hope

great news

good luck, and thanks for hanging in there.

Great news!  Congratulations!

Good job and good luck. Keep that same tenacious spirit as a soldier and you will do well.

Have fun at Sand Hill.  When you are running up the hills remember how hard you tried to get in.  Stay off of Victory Blvd.  Go to Ranger Joe's for good stuff.  Have a Steak at Jilly's, as good as they get.  Stay out of Phenix City, go to the malls in Colombus. Don't take the back roads to Atlanta unless you liked the movie Deliverence.

Congrats!!!!

Thanks Alot Fellas! Hope MEPS will go Smoothly. I posted a thread about advice for MEPS but didnt know i posted in GD. Should of posted in here www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=697501&page=1

Quoted: That's great! Congrats. Hell, I just noticed that tommorrow is the day I swore in at MEPPs the first time- back in 1982....time flies.

Thanx!

how was it? was it really lax or super strict?

Wow :(

Well guess what.

So i was suppose to meet my recruiter today to go over my packet and he told me that MEPS said that now i need my certificate of naturalization number. But i dont have it. When me and my family came to the US my parents applied for citizenship and once they got it since i was under 18 i was automatically a citizen right when they swore in and then i applied for US passport.

and the passport should of been enough proof of citizenship.Even my old Army recruiter said i didnt need my certificate of naturalization number and my passport would be suffice.

Now my recruiterwent on some database online to try and track my certificate of naturalization number. but it takes 24hours to get a response. So now im worried if i wil get a response. So now another brickwall. We rescheduled for MEPS next tuesday the 22nd . Hopefully I'll get to go

Quoted: Wow :( Well guess what. So i was suppose to meet my recruiter today to go over my packet and he told me that MEPS said that now i need my certificate of naturalization number. But i dont have it. When me and my family came to the US my parents applied for citizenship and once they got it since i was under 18 i was automatically a citizen right when they swore in and then i applied for US passport. and the passport should of been enough proof of citizenship.Even my old Army recruiter said i didnt need my certificate of naturalization number and my passport would be suffice. Now my recruiterwent on some database online to try and track my certificate of naturalization number. but it takes 24hours to get a response. So now im worried if i wil get a response. So now another brickwall. We rescheduled for MEPS next tuesday the 22nd . Hopefully I'll get to go

Speedbump. You're a citizen, you'll be fine. Don't let it sway you, you've come this far and overcome some big hurdles. This is just a small documentation issue. Don't sweat it, the Army isn't going anywhere.

This one is easy.  Your Masterbation Certificate will be more difficult.
Don't sweat it.

Usually that Naturalization Number is needed for the SF-86 Background Check.

I had to provide my wife's for MY clearance paperwork.

There's a gazzillion regulations and recruiters are just regular .mil guys so this can happen.

It will be worth the trouble.

Quoted: Wow :( Well guess what. So i was suppose to meet my recruiter today to go over my packet and he told me that MEPS said that now i need my certificate of naturalization number. But i dont have it. When me and my family came to the US my parents applied for citizenship and once they got it since i was under 18 i was automatically a citizen right when they swore in and then i applied for US passport. and the passport should of been enough proof of citizenship.Even my old Army recruiter said i didnt need my certificate of naturalization number and my passport would be suffice. Now my recruiterwent on some database online to try and track my certificate of naturalization number. but it takes 24hours to get a response. So now im worried if i wil get a response. So now another brickwall. We rescheduled for MEPS next tuesday the 22nd . Hopefully I'll get to go

You don't make clear in your post whether your parents applied for your citizenship also, because children don't automatically become citizens when their parents are sworn in, they (through their parents) have to apply for citizenship.  I know it sounds like a dumb question, but I actually had a case where a guy had been living here legally since he was two years old, but never was naturalized.  He got popped on a drug charge and, after he served his time, was deported to Mexico.  The punchline?  He doesn't speak Spanish.

Stay focused, stay patient, and don't change your goals and settle for less.

As long as that's your mindset it WILL happen for you.

Quoted: Quoted: Wow :( Well guess what. So i was suppose to meet my recruiter today to go over my packet and he told me that MEPS said that now i need my certificate of naturalization number. But i dont have it. When me and my family came to the US my parents applied for citizenship and once they got it since i was under 18 i was automatically a citizen right when they swore in and then i applied for US passport. and the passport should of been enough proof of citizenship.Even my old Army recruiter said i didnt need my certificate of naturalization number and my passport would be suffice. Now my recruiterwent on some database online to try and track my certificate of naturalization number. but it takes 24hours to get a response. So now im worried if i wil get a response. So now another brickwall. We rescheduled for MEPS next tuesday the 22nd . Hopefully I'll get to go You don't make clear in your post whether your parents applied for your citizenship also, because children don't automatically become citizens when their parents are sworn in, they (through their parents) have to apply for citizenship.  I know it sounds like a dumb question, but I actually had a case where a guy had been living here legally since he was two years old, but never was naturalized.  He got popped on a drug charge and, after he served his time, was deported to Mexico.  The punchline?  He doesn't speak Spanish.

Well im guessing they did. I have a US Passport. i know im no illegal .. LoL