I know there are alot of service members on here so I figured I'd ask ya'lls advice about my situation. Here it goes:
Pretty much from as far back as I can remember I have wanted to be a member of the military. When I was growing up I had alot of issues with ear infections in my right ear from swimming and getting water in it. By the time I was 12 the situation had progressed to the point where I had to have pretty serious ear surgery on that on ear called a mastoidectomy. They tried to preserve my hearing but failed and so know I have about 50% hearing loss in that ear. It's not a big deal to me it doesn't affect me in my daily life and people around me can't tell either. Good thing is I have never had a ear infection since. Fast forward 5or 6 years and I was in NJROTC for all four years in high school scored a 99 on my ASVAB with plans to go into the Marine Corps delayed entry as soon as I was able. Went to MEPS twice was disqualified for hearing loss in my right ear and having had ear surgery. I sent in for a waiver along with a personal letter, letter from my doctor and a letter of recommendation from my Naval Science Instructor who was a recently retired Captain in the Navy stating I excelled in my unit and my condition never affected my ability to perform. Shortly after I was disapproved for a waiver. This was in late summer of 2003. Life kinda of got rough for awhile after that as this was my dream and it has been kinda tough to move past it. I've been in college but I kinda don't feel like there is anything I want to do that comes close to being part of the military.
Recently I have been getting approached by an Army recruiter who comes into my work alot. He says he has never noticed me having a problem and that because of the situation in Iraq and Afghanistan they are handing out more waivers than before, plus the Army is more lenient than the Marine Corps to begin with. I'm not going to get my hopes up but I will give it a shot at least. Is there anything any of ya'll know of that will help me increase my chances of getting a waiver for the Army? Any advice will be appreciated.
Pretty much from as far back as I can remember I have wanted to be a member of the military. When I was growing up I had alot of issues with ear infections in my right ear from swimming and getting water in it. By the time I was 12 the situation had progressed to the point where I had to have pretty serious ear surgery on that on ear called a mastoidectomy. They tried to preserve my hearing but failed and so know I have about 50% hearing loss in that ear. It's not a big deal to me it doesn't affect me in my daily life and people around me can't tell either. Good thing is I have never had a ear infection since. Fast forward 5or 6 years and I was in NJROTC for all four years in high school scored a 99 on my ASVAB with plans to go into the Marine Corps delayed entry as soon as I was able. Went to MEPS twice was disqualified for hearing loss in my right ear and having had ear surgery. I sent in for a waiver along with a personal letter, letter from my doctor and a letter of recommendation from my Naval Science Instructor who was a recently retired Captain in the Navy stating I excelled in my unit and my condition never affected my ability to perform. Shortly after I was disapproved for a waiver. This was in late summer of 2003. Life kinda of got rough for awhile after that as this was my dream and it has been kinda tough to move past it. I've been in college but I kinda don't feel like there is anything I want to do that comes close to being part of the military.
Recently I have been getting approached by an Army recruiter who comes into my work alot. He says he has never noticed me having a problem and that because of the situation in Iraq and Afghanistan they are handing out more waivers than before, plus the Army is more lenient than the Marine Corps to begin with. I'm not going to get my hopes up but I will give it a shot at least. Is there anything any of ya'll know of that will help me increase my chances of getting a waiver for the Army? Any advice will be appreciated.