The army can’t find enough people to join. As long as they are looking for perfect, they will continue to fall short

Hey guys. Last August, I attempted to go to MEPs but was temporarily disqualified. Over the course of several months, I received several LORs from doctors, my teachers, and my counselor. Today, my waiver was approved, and I am meant to go to MEPs again this Friday. This process has been extremely harsh on me. When I was initially declined, I thought it was over. I just wanted to leave a comment here saying that if you're in the process or require a waiver to enlist, go for it. It may take time, but in the end, it's worth it. Remember, don't give up. Just because the military entrance process is odd in some ways doesn't mean you cannot join your desired branch. Keep at it!

For everyone Struggling to get in for whatever bullshit reason they give you I want you to remember with the recruitment crisis the way it is and global tensions at a boiling point they need you alot more then you need them. Find something else life we all have our callings.

It all boils down to if your recruiter is willing to do the paperwork. You can go one center and have a lazy recruiter who will lie then go to another one to where they are willing and they will put it in to you.

I took a no for about 6 years. Then I needed help paying for college and the desire never left so I tried again 4 years later. They said no. Defeated I payed for college myself but I went back after college. The waivers I needed were moral so it prevents me from being an officer but my packet is being sent up for consideration soon. This is I think the last time at 34, but I finally have a recruiter who wants to work with me even before he knew I got a 98 on the asvab and I have 2 degrees but it took a lot to get here so what I'm saying is run it into the ground if this is what you want

They need to get rid of all this extra bullshit paperwork an requirements.

Thank you so much for this honest video. You brought hope back to my life. I’ve been trying for 10 years and getting closer to that glorious day.

When I joined and 98, I was a high school dropout and had a GED and was 60 pounds overweight. The first recruiter laughed me out of the room. I went to see a second recruiter, super motivated. I love that guy he used to wake me up in the morning to go running and studying. I ended up losing 60 pounds in 60 days passing my asvab on the second try and the rest is history. Oh, I also forgot. The first sergeant wanted to force me to join the reserves. I guess it was easier for him but I started crying and told him how hard at work and he ended up helping me join and he told me you’re going to be a combat engineer so I don’t want you coming back here and cussing me out lol.

I have a recruiter that is pushing me to get in, thank goodness. It’s been 6 months of this medical waiver BS and I’m still waiting

Thank you. I’ve been wanting to join the Air Force for a few years now, and a lot of this stuff I haven’t even taken into account yet. I appreciate how informative you were as well.

I have a right bundle branch block with my heart, white coat syndrome where my BP and HR vets high because I get nervous (but it’s normal when I’m home or not at the doctor) Been working with the Air Force, they gave up on me, Army got in medically cleared in 20 days. I went to meps all the way back in december and was finally cleared today. If y’all want this, don’t give up. Put your mind to it, give it your all and you’ll get in. Super excited now that I can enlist.

Prior service Air Force trying to get into the Army, started the process about a week ago. I'm liking my recruiter so far, He's brand new to recruiting and seemed excited to work with me. Luckily for me I saved pretty much every document I was given throughout my Air force recruiting/MEPS process in a three ring binder and had just about every document they needed on my first visit so that made his life easier like you said. Looking forward to my check in with him in a week to get this process moving. I just gotta lose some weight and get into shape and pray I dont need too many waivers lol Great video man

Thank you for this video bro I’m looking to get a dependent waiver and possibly join👍

I'm someone with a felony that was dismissed because I served probation and it was stricken from the record. In normal life, I don't have any record of it, in military eyes, I do. I went to a recruiter and he said there was no chance, and just told me no. He didn't offer to even get a waiver up the line. As of right now, I haven't talked to a recruiter because I'm so discouraged. Today marks the day where I'm going to find a recruiter who is willing to go through the process with/for me and I'll accept my fate if it gets denied.

Im so glad I found this video! I actually got contacted by a Navy recruiter and trying to get back in now with an RE3E code and I wanna give the military one more shot because my current job is just a mental hivemind of stupidity.

I’ve been stuck in a long Air Force process because I had surgery. Almost a year now and I’ve given my recruiter several clearance letters that I’m all healed up and my doctor is starting to get pissed off and so am I. I’m thinking about the Army now.

I have alot of medical problems and my first military recruiter was very shady, lied to meps and when it got too hard for them they told me meps said no, i got called by a new recruiter in the same sub station telling everyone got canned and it was a new team, there was no record of previous disqualification. Make sure you can trust your recruiter.

I am joining the Navy. I have passed EVERYTHING except my blood pressure. I got two good readings for the waiver process, so I HOPE I can get approved no issues, but based off everything I have seen and heard, I can't be 100% on anything with this MEPs process. Luckily my recruiter feels I'll have no issues here.

Going on three months since I stated the waiver process and still nothing kinda on the end of the rope having to wait on a response from meps is very annoying

Some of these comments are old but to anyone currently worried about meps and waivers, just trust the process. I have a neuro condition sense birth and was immediately disqualified and was extremely upset because the marines weren't the best when it came to waivers but with one request of my medical records i was able to immediately get approved and went that same week back to meps and got my ship out date. trust the process

never trust a recruiter.

They kicked me out last day of but got “asthma” My pulmonary test at my unit was cleared. I had gotten a lung infection Ku first week there due to the lack of cleanliness of the area(they hadn’t cleaned it in a year and even my Sgts were kind of pissed)

I was “over qualified” for every officer position they had listed as an option for me. But I would never be allowed in cause I’ve taken anxiety meds for over a year. With a ever growing anxious and depressed youth, the military needs to start rethinking it’s medical exam

Once you get pass MEPS AND YOU need a code 3 for a conduct waiver... you basically got it... but to get to that point with a recruiter is the hard part.

You are absolutely correct about that I had multiple recruiters who swept me under the rug until I met a recruiter from Missouri and she went the extra mile to get me in and I was able to swear in. She was impressed with the dedication that I put forth regarding the military and I told her I had been trying since 2015. But also around that time my father died and it derailed EVERYTHING including my time at Basic and now im ready to come back in and complete Basic. But this time im going to need a age wavier and a medical waiver due to having a IEP while in HS and ill be turning 36 in about a month or two. How would that whole process work for me? I also have documents regarding my discharge code on my DD214's. The more I look back everything it makes me really want to come back and finish.

Using Army iPerms helped the recruiter and I make the process easier. Now just sitting and waiting for higher ups to give the approval to go active duty.

I have a flag on my record (or that's how they put it) because I have a scar for self harm and I didn't know that there were waivers for that. It's been like 4 years since and I really would like to enlist, but recruiters won't even answer me. I'm still looking for a recruiter that will try to help me to see if I can get a waiver. My score in the ASVAB was really high and I passed the physical so that's the only thing holding me back.

Currently trying to get into the Air Force. Have an underage age and open container, also have another record that got sealed. Waiting for my waivers to go through for that and my drug use. Also needed a waiver for my pass adhd medication use. My recruiter is great and I’m just waiting to see if I can go to meps. Wish me luck.

Was living on the east coast and needed a waiver for Re 3 code like you were saying in the last video. Those recruiters said I’d have to wait a full year to even start the reenlistment process. Moved to Georgia and just went to the recruiter and she’s already talking about starting the waiver within the next two weeks! Your recruiter definitely decides if they want to help

The Air Force and Navy both took me but the army did not…. Which really hurt but I tried

I really want USMC OCS, but I’m weaning off Zoloft and I’m not looking forward to the hoops I’m gonna have to jump through for this

I have eczema on the top of my hands and I was already rejected from the air force because of that, but I am looking at the other branches but I don't have high expectations when it comes to making it. I would lie about not having it, but if in any case it flares up due to the weather or anything else then it would be bad.

I probably tell my recruiter the truth as she want me to be in the army as I was interested on joining but the one biggest problem is my sketchy past of my misdemeanor convictions and warnings by both the Goergia Government and the United States Government as only 4 convicted I was framed by my foe (I hate him so much he ruin my career and my life as I lost everything) . But two is by my own because I was stupid and made the wrong choice. But I’m not giving up

My recruiter turned me away today due my raynuads, and a minor auto immune disorder. Would you think I would be able to talk to different recruiters or different branches to get a waiver? He said that’s an immediate disqualification. I’m just scared of meps disqualifying me even after I go through the process again.

Anyone trying to reenlist with re 3 for metal illness ? I need advice on getting back in and what kind of waiver would I need

What if you’ve completed the physical and medical at meps and passed the asvab with the army ? How does that work

4 years ago i tried and kept bugging my recruiter for the national guard but he eventually stopped contacting me. I did give up. But now 4 years later i have a recruiter who is helping me out to get through. Ssg Mitchell. Hes taking the extra steps. Im 33 now but im ready for this and i cant wait

If needing a waiver for a 6ml hernia, should I go get the surgery myself, let it heal then go talk o recruiter again?

Bro I remember you from target, you were the LP there. I just passed my test. About to take my physical and get a tattoo waiver.

Very true!! I 1st tried when i was 21ish, had a bad recruiter. Now im 36, and im joining!

Thanks for this. Ive been going on for 2 years now. Trying to get a medical waiver and ive been throught about 6 different recruiters so far lol.

I got honorable discharge with re3h for hardship dependency and I was trying to stay in , how hard will this be to get into service?

What if you were convicted of a domestic violence charge and can't own a firearm? I think the only way I can restore the right is if the governor of CO gives me a pardon, which is unlikely. I have no other offenses... Never been in trouble except for this.

Guess I should have gotten a waiver? I am flat footed and served for 21.5 years!!

I started my paperwork to get back in the military 7 months ago and my recruiter sent my waiver a month ago because I had to give them ALL the documents I needed. I received an RE-3 JFW for “Asthma” when it was really COVID-19.. I have every paper document proving it was COVID & I took many tests stating I do not have Asthma anymore. The thing is, I got a waiver FOR asthma & since i basically got kicked out bc of “Asthma” it looks really bad on my paperwork. I’m really scared because I REALLY WANT TO SERVE IN THE MILITARY like my dedication to the military is really high. I was hoping someone can help me out here 😅 I don’t have Asthma it was covid-19 & my medical records even says i had covid-19. What should I do?

u think I have a chance I called the army and they said no because of the distribution charge. It’s been over 2 years now I’m out of jail been off probation for 2 years . Any advice thx for the video

my current recruiter was my nco when i used to be in

I’m trying to go the the Navy. However, I haven’t heard from them yet. I’ve been waiting for about nearly 2 months now. Still haven’t heard anything. My question is do I keep hope on waiting or just throw in the towel?🤷🏾‍♂️

I have a question, what are all the documents you need to make their lives easier?

Ah, you’re talking about the Army National Guard which is quite a bit different than the Regular Army. I spent 8 years stuck in USAREC (Active Army Recruiting Command) as a recruiter and I got my V7 qualification which is Ops/Guidance Counselor and I spent 12 months working at LA Rctg Bn in the S3 shops as the Bn Waiver Tech where I processed all types of waivers. UR 350-6 covers all waivers and what’s required for those waivers. On the Active Army side it’s fairly simple for the recruiter to submit a waiver, if it’s a med waiver then it may need some more med records or some medical test or scan from a civilian doctor that will help the Army Med Command be able to make their decision. But be well aware of this; most of the recruiters that work in S3 can be lazy and care less but about 1/3 of the waiver staff actually gives a damn. I was able to get same day waivers approved because I picked up the phone and talked with the applicants recruiter or station commander and told them exactly what I needed it and if I got it in time, I could get him enlisted. Some of us worked hard to help recruiters since many are located hours away from MEPS and it takes a LOT of time to drive back and forth and that takes away time from looking for new prospects. After a couple months the S3 waiver techs will be able to tell when a waiver is likely to be approved or denied no matter what and the tech can advise the recruiter or whoever asks. Qualification standards are always evolving, USAREC sends out messages to make immediate changes for waivers and it’s usually for the better but, the average field recruiter is completely unaware of these daily messages so they don’t know that a prospect that was unqualified a month ago is now able to submit a waiver and hopefully enlist. Those messages are on the USAREC homepage but you’ll need your CAC card access to see them, they used to be open to the public until about 6 years ago. Dependency waivers (wife and number of kids) are the ones that almost never get approved so try and find a way for the prospect to get an advance promotion to qualify as per AR 601-210 Ch. 2. The person that is the most critical,part of a waiver processing is the Company 1SG, he’s able to call S3 any time he wants and get a status check on people in his pipeline and kick some ass if things aren’t getting a response. The good 1SG’s would call me about twice a week and politely inquire and ask for any advice I can provide to get it approved or speed up the process, the S3 shop will talk with DA waiver techs who’re often career recruiters as well and many of those 1SG’s probably know some of those people and sometimes I’ll tell that good 1SG who I spoke with and here’s their phone number so he can catch up with an old buddy and while he’s at it, inquire about his waivers. Because of my actions, I made more enlistments happen that would otherwise fall through. If we don’t deliver on what we told an applicant then as we waste time waiting on a waiver, the applicant may lose interest or his girlfriend will convince him to stay or anything else you can imagine, it’s just how we are as humans. I know GENESIS is a pure pain but there’s always a way to work within its limits and go forward, and if you’re a recruiter, don’t be afraid to do some digging and be resourceful, don’t throw your hands up and quit. A station commander can call S3 and get some updates but some S3 shops may be run by a Dick and he/she won’t entertain calls from anyone but CLT leadership members. If that’s the case, make a friend in the S3 shop, chances are that the SC worked with someone in that shop beforehand and are good friends, little things like that will help. If you’ve heard of the 20/80 rule about who does the actual work in any organization, it’s very accurate, I’ve never seen so many lazy people in my life! One guy just sat in his cubicle checking his investments online while the phone is constantly ringing but the NCOIC didn’t care. And never assume a damn thing when it comes to your applicant, ask the hard questions so you hear the direct answer. Assumption is the mother of all fuck ups! I later returned to the Infantry and later retired, USAREC back then was hell, too many mentally challenged leaders, just unreal. We often worked from 0830-2200 daily and at least half a day on Saturday. And we’d often talk with some prospects after work hours if they return a call or something. We’d never call people past 2100-2130, it’s always counterproductive to do that. Now for national guard recruiting, that’s a different beast. National guard uses the MEPS for the physical and ASVAB but that’s about it, they don’t share our waiver system/network and use their own. So it may be the national guard recruiter that’s the bottleneck in the waiver process or something else, hell if I know. I hope all my babbling helped explain some things, recruiters do care about each prospect they work with, we don’t approach just everyone, I’d choose people I’d share a foxhole with (in 26 years I only dug 2 foxholes, lol.) since who wants to talk with some arrogant momma’s boy? I enjoyed helping good people get a job they want and something way more interesting than working at some factory or some job people hate but do it for the money to survive. A good sense of humor and the ability to actually care for people is important if you plan on being a recruiter, you can’t fake genuine concern. I wish all of you well and do great things in your life!

Many of people fail the asvab exam testing that exam see if your smart if my leg get blow up or K.I.A what that test going to do for me

I got popped for smoking weed in the Army and received a general under honorable conditions discharge and re4. Which wavier can i get and How likely can I get a waiver for this ?

I'm 18 rn, trying to join the military. A peanut allergy is what's stopping me the most.

I’m looking at marines or army warrant officer if AF doesn’t work. I’m just trying to get a pension and benefits and tie it into getting a fed job

hey not sure if you're still getting these but im desperate, my dream was to be in the Air Force and I can't think of myself doing anything different. however, I have "mild intermittent asthma". I run 20 miles a week, lift weights, and got a 97 on the Air Force fitness test. however, I was denied at first, applied for a waiver and still was denied. is there anything else I can do?

Do you feel the NG is more inclined to give waivers?

Now mhs genesis is stalling everything

I’m trying to get into the coast guard I failed my hearing test 3 times I have no prior hearing problems and honestly don’t even know how I failed. Does anyone know what’s most likely going to happen? I’m very anxious about weather I’m going to get approved or not

Thanks for the video. Been waiting on waivers for about 5 months. My recruiter said it’s because the fiscal year was close to ending so they weren’t going to start approving waivers until this month (October ‘21). My question is about how you say to work with multiple recruiters. My situation I feel like I have to kind of kiss my recruiters ass because my options to join are limited due to my age. The national guard is pretty much my only option with the MOS I want. We’re you talking about working with recruiters of different branches or just different recruiters in general? Like can I talk to other National Guard recruiters while I’m being recruited already? My packet is complete, it’s been sent out for waiver approval to go to MEPS but it has been a struggle just getting my recruiter to talk to me or give me any updates. Like, he did what he was supposed to do as far as getting my packet and waiver requests in but he seemed pretty unenthusiastic about it and like I said he rarely answers me when I’m asking for updates. How would you proceed?

Recruiters today just give you websites to figure it out on your own. They are there basically to act as a notary to witness you signing.

What did you need a waiver for???

Can I get a medical waiver if I get a gastric bypass surgery and join the National Guard instead of active duty?

Do you know how long do waivers for tickets takes?

If i have a 5150 on my mental (bogus but no way to overturn it) will that ban me from re joining i was honorably discharged

I got a waiver back in 2019 for the Marines because I have a plate in my head. It took 1 year, but it was easy. Not ALL waivers are impossible...

In March and April of 2017 I had cateract surgery on both my right and left eyes. In October 2021 I applyied for a medical waiver for cateracts, and my Navy recruiter doesn't respond to my text messages anymore. I don't know the status of waiver or nothing

It is not that hard. Just go to another recruiter. I needed 6 waivers, got approved and now it was their turn to chase me around to sign a contract.

ASK your recruiter about a disorderly conduct is that waiverable?

I did my asvab retest today, and I didn’t get the score I wanted for the job in the AF how ever I pretty much qualified for another job in the army I got my eyes on, but I was off by like 5 points on the GT part, a army recruiter said I can get it waivered by meps is that possible ?

I have a RE3F JGA1 ELS from the Marine Corps. Does anyone know if I'm eligible to enlist the Army?

Absolutely true. My recruiter hasnt really contacted me ever since I told him i have self harm scars on my right upper thigh that are years old. Im going to look for other recruiters because he's not trying to work with me.

I probably should’ve found this video first. Age limit opened to just before your 42nd birthday in Oct ‘23 for AF/SF & Navy. I found this out during Xmas and waited till January. My AF recruiter was hardly ever in office and not very responsive during our texts, but in person seemed to be interested in getting me in. My situation was/is kind of dire, since I have only a GED and haven’t built any kind of career. I’m fit from Martial Arts and dancing and scored 94 on ASVAB. I began to see more & more how I could benefit from the brotherhood & discipline in the military to take advantage of my capabilities. My recruiter couldn’t get me to MEPS till about 3 weeks before my birthday in May, and 2 medical waivers made sure I ran out of time. I then applied to my next option of Army Reserve, which after a month got rejected for same 2 medical visits. Wish I knew to pick the recruiter who was down to make it happen and not lazy like my first one.

Instead of help me, they turn me down, so I totally lost hope in the army.

I need age waiver and I am working to get my GED. Done

Congratulations! I hope i found a good recruiter.

thank you

I do have autism my recruiter said I can get a waver I was so happy

They don’t going to find ppl. Like that, the only ones who’s are very selective is USMC

Thanks

Does anyone know if it’s possible to join today with 4 dependents as a married man

I was in the air force. I thought everyone got security clearences until I joined the army. Huge culture shock.

Hey bro if you have time I’d like some advice if you don’t mind helping

Thanks for the video. Now I know more about US Army waivers.

I throw every waiver up. I’ve never turned someone away for any problem. Not once. Let the waiver authority DQ them… that’s not my job. Any recruiter who tells someone they won’t work with them, is a shitty recruiter

No arrest should be a DQ. Unless you're convicted of a violent felony, they shouldn't be able to reject you in my opinion.

I was honorably discharged from the Navy with code RE-R1. I was awarded 80% total VA disability. Lots of small things added up and sleep apnea. Do i have a chance to go back in as an Officer?

Ty for the advice and knowledge. Just wondering but it seems the army is in greater need of recruits atm. Do you think that makes it more likely that recruiters will be willing to use waivers more often now or use more waivers in general for a single recruit?

Trying to get in now looking for a recruiter to help me

I tried to get in for 14 years what was held back by a bullshit medical waiver. I said bullshit because it was a non-issue but MEPS decided to give me an impossible task to get the waiver. I recently started talking to the National Guard and when I told the recruiter the story he got really frustrated. “ we are in a recruitment crisis and they keep tossing perfectly acceptable candidates over non-issues and claiming we’re not doing our best to meet our quota’s!”

Ok everyone I have a question I was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon no intent to kill and battery but was never convicted and the charges were dropped I just want to know what are my chances of getting in

But seems like I can’t find nobody helping me

You are right try different services navy marines coast guard Air Force

I think its time the army looks at other militaries and the way they handle active vs reserves. The IDF has totally different training and standards for its non combat roles. The training is about 4 weeks basic then school training. The British Army does the same for its reserves, as does the canadian and Australians among others. If we did the same, it would open up opportunities for folks to join in non combat roles or in the reserves or both. It will also save money on training which can be allocated to AD to recruitment incentives and marketing. We operate on a WWI era model that needs to change or the army will start finding itself divisions short of its goals.

My record is over 10 years old. I've got 2 felonies and 4 misdemeanors.....I was a stupid kid.....non violent. One recruiter said I had too many misdemeanors. Do I talk to another army recruiter?

can i still get in with an re code : -4 “ineligible to reenlist”

When they need people like national emergency they drafted anyone don’t matter what

Just got through meps, passed everything with flying colors, got an 87 on asvab. They said no for my spinal fusion. Everyone said it shouldnt be an issue but now it seems like i cant join any branch. Is it over for me?

I'm 33 5'8 w/ 8 misdemeanors? Can I get in national guard or which branch. Also gym everyday

I have three misdemeanors for weed. From when I was younger. I attempted to join and they said I was permanently disqualified. I guess I’ll get them expunged and try again.

I met a lot of ASVAB waivers in the Corps 😂