tws1098

First, thanks for all the responses and for not moving it lizzy.

To respond to a few of your thoughts, I am currently lifting and always have (although I only weigh 155lbs I can lift a good amount of weight). I work construction in the summers so lifting and carrying things is not a problem. I like to think I have a high tolerance for pain since I played football with this issue and a broken wrist (misdiagnosed as sprained). I have a high level of pain at the end of most days, which is why I am going for the surgery whether it will get me in or not. I realize I should be looking at the big picture, but as I am finishing up student teaching I feel I need a change of pace and would prefer to serve my country for a while before starting my teaching career.

Will it be harder for me to become an officer with the injuries, or is a waived injury a waived injury for enlisted or officer?

Also if you have any other thoughts or questions to help, I appreciate it. Thanks again to all of you who have responded.

Sxynerd

YOu'll need to speak to an Officer recruiter and not an Enlisting recruiter. That's going to be a minimum of a 6 year contract so judge your time acordingly. Also remember that when you're an officer you're "requesting" to get out at the end of your contract. I know many officers that were stuck in for an extra year because the mission dictated his ETS. If you can be an officer, do it. (If the time isn't an issue.)

Make sure the recruiter is giving you what you want and not just what he thinks you need.

tws1098

Yeah, the time thing is not a big deal. I had been considering making the AF my career, but wanted to "try it" first. Whether I like it or not, serving 6 years for my freedom and rights is worth every second.

So you don't forsee there being a bigger issue with my medical waiver when going to an Officer Recruiter vs. an Enlistment Recruiter?

MU71L4710N

ANYTHING and EVERYTHING is waiverable. the air force has waivered some DUMB **** that i've seen. i don't forsee any difference enlisted or commissioned getting a waiver. But i (and no one else here chiming in) is an active recruiter. get on the phone tomorrow morning and check out some recruiting offices and get your questions asked. you will get much better answers and if you need a waiver, they can get the paperwork started now rather than later because waivers CAN come overnight or take 6 months, a year, or however long it takes.

tws1098

They won't even start my waiver process without having surgery, so that is first. Besides, at this point I could tough out basic, but I don't want to ever be a liability down the road because I didn't take the time now to make things right. It will also be easier to give it everything I've got if I am actually healthy. A ruptured disc leaves me feeling between 60 and 80% most days for the past 6 years.

brandonse24

i too am talking to a recruiter about joining, ive found a good place to find information in military.com Ive learned quite abit off that site, and yeah, i have to get a waver too..

Sxynerd

go to another recruiter and don't tell them, lol. Then have the military pay the bill.

tws1098

I have already seen a specialist (that is how I found out I had a ruptured/herniated disc) so wouldn't they be able to get this information?

Sxynerd

No, lol. They Only know what you slip up and tell them. They do a NCIC check when you go to MEPS and that's about it. Just tell them you're healthy. It's stupid to tell them anything they don't need to know. It just prolongs everything. When I first went in I had a "Plea under advisement" for a fight I got into, I told them, it took 3 months to get in and when it was all said and done, I didn't need a waiver cause the case was dropped and basically, I stepped on my own dick by telling them. All through basic they are also going to tell you your **** test is came back and they know that you were smoking drugs and you should admit to it now. (For 3 months I heard that same crap and all I could do was laugh. I've never even had a drop of alcohol in my life, lol)

They say they know and can find anything when really, they don't and can't.

You may need to just go back to your recruiter and tell him you were mistaken about your injury and everythings fine.

I remember when I was interviewing with my recruiter and he'd ask me questions with a dramatic pause and say, "If you answer yes to this question, you will not be allowed in the Marine Corps" "Have you ever....?".

So long as you pass the ASVAB, NCIC & minimum physical requirements, you'll be good.

tws1098

Well....that changes things.

Thanks for the advice. I will most likely go for treatment and then see a recruiter (I wouldn't feel confident in my abilities in my current condition). I haven't actually seen an Air Force recruiter yet, I have only asked a couple of questions to a Navy recruiter so there is no need for me to change any answers.