Visting MEPS this weekend...

wolfbrother · Post by **wolfbrother** » September 26th, 2007, 1:11 pm

I heard back from the recruiter today and unfortunately the waiver was denied. He says its not a big deal and to go get another hearing test done and we'll resubmit the waiver. I'll definitely be doing a bunch of research on the net and on this forum about the waiver process in general, but if anyone has any advice relating to my specific situation, I'd be more than happy to listen.

I'm still pressing on for the option 40. This is just a small challenge in the many, much larger ones that are to come. Or at least thats the impression I get from everything I read on this forum, and trust me, I definitely see the wisdom of thinking that way.

Sleepy Doc · Post by **Sleepy Doc** » September 26th, 2007, 2:12 pm

Go to the drug store and get some commercial foam earplugs. Wear an earplug in your bad ear for at least 24 hours before you test. When you go to test take it out before hand. This may help you. If not, at least you tried.

wolfbrother · Post by **wolfbrother** » October 16th, 2007, 7:20 pm

Ranger The Sleepy Doc, I did as you instructed about the earplugs. I think it may have improved my scores, but I don't think it was enough to make a serious impact. I appreciate the advice however.

An update on my current situation for the board at large:

The hearing test went pretty much as expected, but not as I hoped. Here are my scores. Right ear: normal across all frequencies. In my left ear, 250:10db, 500:30db, 1000:40db, 1500:60db, 2000:65db, 4000:75db, 8000:90db.

As you can see, my left is ear is pretty jacked up in the high frequencies and is pretty far off the acceptable standards. The audiologist said my ear drums are healthy, which is at least some good news out of all the rest. Apparently the damage is sensorineural and cannot be operated on. She also wrote on the bottom of the report and recommended that I have a evaluation with an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor for asymmetry and a hearing aid consultation.

So at this point I'm getting pretty discouraged. I took the test results to the recruiter and he said he would send it up for another waiver request. Maybe I should be more optimistic, but it just seems like my Rangering goals are slipping away because of this hearing loss. At least I've tried and I'm not giving up. I'm in the best shape I've ever been in in my life, so thats another good side benefit of preparing. I'm hoping and praying that the waiver will be approved and I can continue to press on towards earning the Scroll and the Tab.

-Zach

Jim · Post by **Jim** » October 17th, 2007, 8:19 am

Wolfbrother, You have done well. Your integrity is intact. They are working on a waiver. Life is good. Never, never quit!!!

Glenn, MSG Ret. · Post by **Glenn, MSG Ret.** » October 18th, 2007, 12:34 pm

The funny thing about it the 1st time his hearing protection gets dislodged in a firefight he'll have hearing loss anyhow. That happened to my son on his last D & now he has some hearing loss in his left ear. Still a Ranger SGT. They even put him in for a disability when he gets out. They still want him to reenlist.

It seems that Ranger Jim is in your corner. Now there's a real chance for you, Wolfbrother.

Keep up the PT!

wolfbrother · Post by **wolfbrother** » October 31st, 2007, 2:32 pm

Ranger Jim and Glenn, MSG Ret.,

Thank you for your advice and words of wisdom and encouragement. I have taken them to heart and I appreciate them.

To the board at large:

I called the recruiter today because it has been two weeks since I submitted the hearing test. I figured either it was taking awhile to hear back about the waiver or he had forgotten me. As it turned out, it was the latter.

I have been denied a waiver once again. The recruiter said there wasn't really anything more he could do for me due to the fact that the hearing test had the notes at the bottom that I have listed in my prior post.

So unless there is something he has missed trying, my pursuit of becoming an Army Ranger will be coming to an end. I have thought about trying the Marines, but I really would rather be a Ranger.

Any help or direction would be greatly appreciated!

Jim · Post by **Jim** » November 1st, 2007, 12:54 pm

wolfbrother wrote: As you can see, my left is ear is pretty jacked up in the high frequencies and is pretty far off the acceptable standards. The audiologist said my ear drums are healthy, which is at least some good news out of all the rest. Apparently the damage is sensorineural and cannot be operated on. She also wrote on the bottom of the report and recommended that I have a evaluation with an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor for asymmetry and a hearing aid consultation.

wolfbrother wrote:Ranger Jim
I have been denied a waiver once again. The recruiter said there wasn't really anything more he could do for me due to the fact that the hearing test had the notes at the bottom that I have listed in my prior post.

So unless there is something he has missed trying, my pursuit of becoming an Army Ranger will be coming to an end. !

Go to a good Ear, Nose, & Throat Specialist and see what they recommend. The Audiologist is not a physician. Perhaps a second opinion will be to your benefit. Anything worthwhile is worth the effort.

wolfbrother · Post by **wolfbrother** » November 23rd, 2007, 10:26 pm

After being turned down twice by the Army and also by the Marines, I have decided that my largest goal of being a Ranger, followed by the goal of being in any type of infantry in general are coming to an end. I tried as hard as I could, did the best I could on the ASVAB, and got in the best shape I've ever been in (last PT test results were PU: 66, SU: 72, and 2 mile run: 12:05). I definitely don't regret trying to get in, but I feel its time to move on. Once you exhaust all your options, there isn't a whole lot left to do but that.

At this point in time, I am considering going back to school with the ultimate goal of becoming a Ranger, only this time its a Forest Service Ranger. Not my first pick, but its also in line with my interests and abilities.

Thank you to all those who have and are currently serving. I wanted to join those ranks, but apparently the powers that be don't want someone with a partial hearing loss in one ear. I can understand though, and I'm sure there are plenty of able bodied people out there who will get the job done.

Thanks to all those who helped me in my quest to reach the Army Rangers. This site has helped me in many areas, not the least of which was some much needed attitude adjustments. I know I'm definitely better for having been here.

Thanks again,
Zach

hit_it · Post by **hit_it** » November 26th, 2007, 10:35 pm

God luck to you in whatever you decide to do.

Stay in shape. You will enjoy life much better.

Ranger Bill · Post by **Ranger Bill** » November 27th, 2007, 6:50 am

hit_it wrote:God luck to you in whatever you decide to do.

Stay in shape. You will enjoy life much better.

X2.