Retest Alsalva

Stick Shooter · 07-27-2011, 20:51

Hello gentlemen,

I recently returned from my second visit to MEPS where I took my physical and unfortunately I failed the airborne physical due to the ear popping test. I was simply unprepared for the test and was unfamiliar with the method of ear popping that the doc was telling me I must do. After 5 min of practice sitting in some line or another at MEPS (after failing) I was able to pop both ears easily. To make a long and boring storing short several hours of asking the army liaison at MEPS, various medical personal at MEPS, my recruiter and recruiting station commander later it seemed that no, there is no way to retest and it is a waste of my time to pursue this any further. "Just sign the damn 11x and move out" seemed to be the general consensus. I understand that distinguishing myself in OSUT and passing the physical there is an option but I have heard from multiple sources that getting 18x in my contract is far preferable to this.

I did some research on the site and found only a few applicants that seem to have reported a similar experience but no real advice on how to proceed under the assumption at this time that I will take nothing less than an 18x.

I guess it really comes to this. Is there any way that I can retest? I'm willing to take the entire physical again, pay out of pocket for a retest, drive to another MEPS, find another recruiter, get approved by my civilian doctor first, flood a congressman's office with letters, anything at all really, to get retested for airborne.

This is really the only thing keeping me from my goal. I did extremely well on the ASVAB and other portions of the physical and in very good physical shape.

Any help would really be welcome as I seem to be stuck at the moment.

**The Reaper** · 07-27-2011, 21:21

AR 40-501.

As per the sticky.

And it is "valsalva."

TR

Stick Shooter · 07-27-2011, 22:06

Thank you for your response sir.

I had looked at the form you directed me too previously and it basically led me to a dead end unless I missed something. It lays out that the area I was deemed "medically unacceptable" is in Chapter 5 and also that Chapter 5 medical standards can be waived. However, after discussions with various MEPS and recruiter station personnel I was informed that the Valsalva maneuver cannot be waived and I saw nothing in the AR-40-501 that dealt with retesting; again unless I missed something. The recruiting station I'm working with now never even brought up the possibility of a waiver even on the off chance it is possible to waive this test.

This leads my to the unhappy conclusion that I'm fucked.

If there is any advice on things I could try to either get retested, get a waiver approved, even other places to find my own answers I'm all ears. I'm not trying to get around anything I know all those medical tests are there for a good reason.

I have a meeting with another nearby recruiting station tomorrow although I don't have high hopes. I apologize if this is a repetitive thread I just couldn't find the answer I was looking for and failing MEPS or my recruiter I can think of no other resource available to me for this kind of thing.

Thank you for your time sir.

sinjefe · 07-28-2011, 06:28

I would not say you are fucked. Going in the army as an 11X is a great way to build experience and is certainly honorable. As a matter of fact, I personally believe it is better to go in the RA before SF. Besides, it is getting increasingly harder to join. Consider yourself lucky and try again later.

SF_BHT · 07-28-2011, 16:58

Go 11X and while your at Benning tell your DS that you want to go airborne. They may be able to get you into a TMC and if you pass you are on the track to Bragg. Serve a while and apply for SF after you get some experience under your belt.

Just my 2 cents

ableonetwo · 08-02-2011, 23:38

As I just left my 4th and final day at MEPS today, until I ship that is, I thought I would let you know something that I found out during my process that wont bring you a lot of good news but may help in your choices. I had a medical setback where the doctor wanted to see my medical records, which were 17 years old and didnt exist, and long story short I was informed by multiple people that the 18x contract does not allow waivers of any kind. In my case the doctor said it was all good and signed off but, again as informed by various people, if he would of had to have it approved by higher or give me an additional tests to clear me I would have lost my contract. I cant give you any advise on what to do past that but I just wanted to let you know what I was told about waivers so you didnt spend a lot of time trying to make it work. Unless you can get the doc to clear you without a waiver i think its a no go. Please if im wrong someone correct me, this is what I was told at MEPS and later by my recruiter so I took it as fact.

Stick Shooter · 06-27-2012, 11:19

Well as an update after a year I haven't got in for retesting so after I graduated in May I signed an 11x contract. I will try and do it the old fashioned way and volunteer for SF after I have some experience as has been recomended to me on this site. Thanks for those who gave me advice.

head · 06-27-2012, 12:05

I passed that test without even studying.

greenberetTFS · 06-27-2012, 12:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stick Shooter

Well as an update after a year I haven't got in for retesting so after I graduated in May I signed an 11x contract. I will try and do it the old fashioned way and volunteer for SF after I have some experience as has been recomended to me on this site. Thanks for those who gave me advice.

Young Tiger,listen to these QP's,getting RA training first is the best way to go under your circumstances.....

It's the way I did it and it helps when you get into BAT and SFQC..

Most,not all of us,went that route and we were better soldiers for it when we went onto SF.........

Big Teddy

mud slinger · 06-30-2012, 07:14

Listen to these guys. Also don't waste your time going to another recruiter, MEPS...etc we all work off the same data base and trust me we know if you have ever talked to another recruiter let alone took a physical at another MEPS and we also know the results of it. One member stated 18X contracts will not accept waivers and that is true. Once you are in they will " SF Recruiters ". We had a guy in SFAS with pins in one of his ankles and needless to say his hardware couldnt handle the rigors of SFAS. Good luck!