Despite the fact that the dry-skin rash and the oily-skin condition aren’t contagious, you can’t have either and join the military. Eczema — though it can be maintained with prescription — can also be debilitating.

The USAF amended its rules in 2018 so that select candidates with mild forms of eczema can get waivers with occupational restrictions.

The document Medical Standards for Appointment, Enlistment, or Induction into the Military Services1 states that a history of atopic dermatitis or eczema after the 12th birthday or history of residual or recurrent lesions in characteristic areas (face, neck, antecubital or popliteal fossae, occasionally wrists and …

Once you get your 2807-2 back from MEPS and you look through the TDQ(s) or PDQ(s) they gave you, you will need to prepare your case for a medical waiver. Basically, you will need to get a doctor or medical specialist to review each item for which you received a TDQ or PDQ.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO PROCESS A WAIVER? It can take up to three months to fully process a waiver.

Waiver Breakdown Of the four Air Force authorities reporting the medical waiver data, Air Education and Training Command had the most, with a total of 485 waivers, including 294 for ADHD — the most of any authority or waiver category, 100 for asthma and 91 for eczema.

Medical Conditions That Can Keep You from Joining the Military

• Abdominal Organs and Gastrointestinal System. The following conditions may disqualify you from military service:
• Blood and Blood-Forming Tissue Diseases.
• Dental.
• Ears.
• Hearing.
• Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders.
• Upper Extremities.
• Lower extremities.

Army standards continue to stipulate that applicants who test positive for marijuana require a waiver to be eligible for enlistment, and applicants with a history of ADHD, depression, or anxiety will not meet enlistment standards and might not even qualify for a waiver, depending on their specific case.

Waivers for entrance into the military are available, but they are not easy to obtain. There is a long list of reasons why the military may disqualify a potential recruit: illegal activity, medical conditions, minimum height, and even age.

If a member’s ASVAB composite scores are below the threshold to qualify them for a particular training or education program, they may take the AFCT or request a waiver in order to qualify for a particular education or training program.

USA Today reported that those with a history of “self-mutilation,” bipolar disorder, depression and drug and alcohol abuse will be permitted to get waivers to enlist, according to documents obtained by the publication.

Lying to join the military is a fraudulent enlistment and can result in a felony conviction. Yes, you need to be caught in the lie, but that isn’t as difficult as you might think. Lying about your past drug use? Your background check might turn that up.

Do not wear hats inside MEPS. Get a good night’s sleep to help mentally prepare for the aptitude test. Shower before your test day. Do not bring jewelry, watches, headphones, excessive cash or valuables.

What Happens After the MEPS. After finishing at the MEPS, recruits follow one of two options: “Direct Ship:” Departure for Basic Training occurs in a matter of days versus months. Delayed Entry Program (DEP): Commit to Basic Training at a time in the future, generally within one year.

Everything together should take two days, though there are some situations that may make things shorter or longer. Some people will go into their branch’s delayed entry program (DEP) and go home after MEPS to wait until their ship-out date. Others will embark to basic training immediately after MEPS.

Depending on your enlistment process, you may visit the MEPS once or twice. Those who visit only once typically stay for two days and proceed directly to basic training afterward.

You’ll need one change of clothes and an overnight hygiene kit (toothbrush, comb, deodorant, etc.). You’ll also need to bring your Social Security card, birth certificate and driver’s license.

Currently, military applicants are tested for marijuana; cocaine; amphetamines, including methamphetamine; and designer amphetamines such as MDMA — also known as “Molly” or “Ecstasy” — and MDA, also known as “Adam,” he said.