Hello, all. I'm ready to talk to a recruiter and plan on calling this Tuesday (my guess is that it's best to not bother him on Labor Day Weekend). I'll be asking my recruiter all these questions then, but I want to see if I could get any answers beforehand.

1: I had surgery about 5 or 6 years ago. I had an abscess in my neck and, basically, they cut me open and drained me. I have a long scar that is faint, but noticeable if I point it out. What are the chances of getting a medical waiver for that? Or, would my recruiter tell me to not mention it MEPS? My biggest concern is that this would keep me from the AST path....

2: I saw a thread about letters of recommendation. Would I need those to enlist? (Wouldn't be a problem for me to get.)

3: I read about guaranteed A-Schools OR district placement if you scored high enough on your ASVAB. Would that include the AST A-School? (I scored an 85 on the practice test a while back.)

4: Would I be able to be an AST with a 4-year contract? Or would I need a 6? (I'd prefer a 6, but I'd like to know my options.)

Thanks a lot for your answers. I apologize if I'm asking things that could be searched on this forum, but I could get the search function to work for some reason.

-John

Hi John,

A lot of people can't always get the search function to work, so its ok!

1. I don't think you would need a waiver for that. It sounds like something minor that was corrected. The only thing you SHOULD need is the medical record from the doctor and/or hospital. It will have to be mentioned, everything has to be mentioned. But it doesn't sound like something you will need to worry about. Let your recruiter fill you in further, he'll have the best answers.

2. Letters of recommendation aren;t mandatory but hey, any little thing can only help, never hurt. If you can get them, go for it. Also, with that, make yourself a resume. Toot your horn a little, make yourself a wanted commodity.

3. Guaranteed anything is virtually gone the way of the dodo bird, they don't exist. AST has never and probably will never be guaranteed. You could score an amazing score on the ASVAB but it will not change the fact AST cannot be guaranteed, at least not now or in the near future.

4. Sure!! Four years could get you there. It is a wait for that rate but still doable in 4.

I hope that helps! Welcome aboard! You can call and live a message at the recruiting office, you won't be bothering the recruiter. I'm sure he is home watching football, grilling with the family or doing something exciting. So leaving a message wouldn't bother anyone. Best of luck with everything, if you have any other questions, ask away! We'll always try our best to help!

Macie

Wow....! That was a fast response. Thanks, Macie. I'll definitely take your advice and do a little prep work for my med records and a resume.

Another question about AST: What would keep me from attending the A-School besides not being in shape, mental attitude, etc? Does it come down to a luck of the draw kind of thing?

-John

Asvab score, flight physical and security clearance... you get that, you stay in shape and you can get through the A School, it's all yours! But it is probably the hardest physically to get through. I don't know about mentally or intellectually because there are a whole lot of really difficult A schools in the CG, I wouldn't want to diminsh those schools. But physically I am pretty certain AST would be the most demanding.

All you need to have is want and desire!!! However, keep a very open mind! There is a young man on this forum, he went through boot camp with my son... all he talked about for months was becoming an AST, he slept & bled rescue swimmer! He is now an MST, not AST. He didn't even try for AST. He found out about the MST rate and he decided that was far more interesting and appealing... so prepare yourself for whatever the future may hold and keep a very open mind about ratings. You don't know what you don't know and you might be surprised at what you learn!!

Best of luck with everything!