Medical Waiver Denied
Today I was given the gut-wrenching news that my medical waiver was denied as a SWCS student. A week before my class shipped off to PC, about 40% of us were put on administrative hold due to disqualifying waivers both medical and behavioral. My waiver was for a laminectomy (spinal decompression surgery) that I had in January of 2024. For a few minutes it felt as if my whole world had collapsed but after processing the news, my stubbornness quickly stepped in to tell me I’m not going down without a fight. We were recently told by cadre that there is no longer an appeal process due to the recent influx of students but as I’ve learned in my short time in the Army is that there’s always an exception to policy, it just takes the right person to help you out. I also couldn’t help but notice that in the bottom right of my denied 1131 it says “Appeal Authority is the 1st SWTG(A) Commander”. I completed OSUT, Airborne, and have been participating in the 18x hold PT that consists of running, rucking, and a team day event every week for the past two months with no issues whatsoever from my back. My surgery did NOT require any hardware or fusions so my mobility has not at all been compromised since the operation. I would actually go as far as to say I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in my life and I was ready to put my best foot forward into selection and do what I came here to do - be a green beret. Unfortunately my waiver was denied late in the day before a 4-day weekend so I won’t be able to talk to anyone until Tuesday but I wanted to see if anyone has had any experience with successfully obtaining a waiver for a back surgery and may be able to provide some insight on what I can do to get this appealed.