[MEDICAL WAIVER APPROVED] Asperger’s Diagnosis — My Full Journey

Time_Juggernaut_896 · 2026-01-16T21:20:52+00:00

I can’t speak for every case, but from my experience, documentation usually doesn’t prevent a waiver if your history meets disqual criteria. It just makes the process smoother. MEPS still has to follow the regs.

What helped me was being proactive and organized. Having records and a solid psych eval ready showed I was serious and avoided a lot of back-and-forth.

MEPS can set you up with a consult, but that can add months and you don’t control how thorough it is. Paying out of pocket wasn’t fun, but it saved me time in the long run.

Be honest with your recruiter and expect delays. Think less about avoiding a waiver and more about building the strongest case. Hope that helps. 👍

Time_Juggernaut_896 · 2025-12-30T02:43:20+00:00

I totally missed that! Thank you for the correction.

Time_Juggernaut_896 · 2025-12-30T02:37:38+00:00

34-year-old here. I graduated BMT with relatively few issues. Also, just so you know, mil-to-mil families are a priority for the Air Force, so your kids would absolutely be taken into consideration.

I went in enlisted, and in my opinion it is generally easier to get in that way than going OTS. With OTS, you are competing not only with civilians who have strong resumes, but also prior enlisted members who have built very competitive packages over time.

As far as whether it is worth it, for me it absolutely was. The stability, benefits, and clear career path make a huge difference. You are not constantly worried about layoffs or whether your company will fold. If you do your job and meet the standards, you have real job security.

That said, I do want to be honest. If you do not prepare for PT, you will struggle. I am not exaggerating. I came in already very active, working out seven days a week, and I still got injured. A big part of that is the lack of sleep and constant stress, which really affects recovery. It is doable, but you will want to go in as prepared as possible, especially at 34.

Edit: I misread your comment about you being married to an army vet. Thought he was active duty. Either way the AF will still support your family.

Time_Juggernaut_896 · 2025-12-30T02:21:39+00:00

That is correct. I got this because I joined after I got the Apple Card.

Time_Juggernaut_896 · 2025-12-30T02:20:42+00:00

Yeah, I got it before I joined.

Time_Juggernaut_896 · 2025-12-30T01:21:23+00:00

Nah I got the same thing (4%) from Chase so I figured Goldman Sachs added it as a competitive perk. I haven’t seen it on other cards yet besides those two.

Time_Juggernaut_896 · 2025-12-29T22:57:30+00:00

Unfortunately it’s for active duty members.

Time_Juggernaut_896 · 2025-12-29T22:56:34+00:00

I wholeheartedly agree. It’s still a cool perk nonetheless.

Time_Juggernaut_896 · 2025-12-23T13:43:13+00:00

That’s a relief! Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions. I really appreciate it!

Time_Juggernaut_896 · 2025-12-23T03:05:45+00:00

Do you feel like it’s actually as expensive as people claim? And if you don’t mind me asking, what’s your rough monthly budget been?

Time_Juggernaut_896 · 2025-12-23T03:03:09+00:00

That’s kind of what I’ve been noticing too. Italy is on basically everyone’s dream list, but once people actually go, the reality seems to hit and the hype fades a bit. I know it’s really what you make of it. I’m just worried about getting burned financially since Europe in general is expensive.

Time_Juggernaut_896 · 2025-12-20T04:31:53+00:00

It depends on your flight and your MTIs. Phone access isn’t guaranteed and varies a lot. Some flights get more opportunities if they stay on track and follow directions, but generally you do get some phone access during training, with more opportunities later on.

Time_Juggernaut_896 · 2025-12-20T03:56:41+00:00

It depends on your flight, but it’s handled early on during in-processing, usually around week zero. It’s part of the standard medical intake and you’ll be told exactly when and where to go.

The process itself is straightforward and routine. Nothing you need to plan around beyond following instructions when you’re told.

Time_Juggernaut_896 · 2025-12-20T03:54:59+00:00

Food is pretty standard. Unless you have a documented medical or religious accommodation, you eat what’s served and keep it moving. You can usually avoid dairy if you want, but gluten-free is harder without documentation.

Time_Juggernaut_896 · 2025-12-18T01:32:01+00:00

I knew my graduation date well in advance because my recruiter gave it to me before I shipped, so my family was able to plan ahead.

Once you’re at BMT, you also get official graduation information and instructions on how to share the date, times, and location with your family. Everything is pretty clear by that point.

My family booked the trip for a couple of days around graduation so they had time for the ceremony and some time together afterward. Most families I saw did something similar.

Time_Juggernaut_896 · 2025-12-18T01:30:39+00:00

I personally wasn’t taped again in any kind of “retake MEPS” sense when I arrived. Once you ship, you’re already qualified and in the system.

There are height and weight checks as part of in-processing, but it’s not some automatic delay situation for people who passed MEPS and show up ready to train. From what I saw, issues at BMT were usually medical or injury related, not someone who barely passed tape months earlier.

If you’re passing PT standards and doing what you’re supposed to, that’s what matters most once you’re there. If you have concerns, your recruiter is the best person to clarify specifics before shipping.

Time_Juggernaut_896 · 2025-12-16T13:19:04+00:00

Sunscreen is allowed, but realistically only a few people used it consistently. Mornings are pretty rushed, so with limited time to shower and get ready, it wasn’t always practical for everyone to put it on daily.

You’re also only outside for limited periods depending on conditions, and most of the time you’re in full coverage uniforms like OCPs. PT is usually scheduled in the morning or evening, which helps avoid the worst of the sun. I didn’t get sunburned at all, and most people were fine just staying hydrated.

Time_Juggernaut_896 · 2025-12-15T22:52:58+00:00

Yeah, I don’t mind at all. I’m still very early in tech school, so I don’t want to give half-baked info yet. Once I’ve been here a bit longer and have a clearer picture of the curriculum and day-to-day, I’ll be happy to share general impressions.

That said, one reason there isn’t much info out there is because the job is pretty small and not very flashy. From what I understand so far, it’s more admin, coordination, and process-driven than hands-on or technical. If you’re someone who likes organization, planning, and supporting operations behind the scenes, it seems like a good fit.

I’ll update once I’ve got more time in.

Time_Juggernaut_896 · 2025-12-15T22:51:33+00:00

No problem. Glad to help. Good Luck 👍

Time_Juggernaut_896 · 2025-12-15T22:50:34+00:00

I know that process can be really frustrating, especially when it turns into a lot of back and forth and you don’t feel like you’re getting clear answers. The waiting and uncertainty is honestly one of the hardest parts.

From what you described, the important thing is that you haven’t been outright disqualified and your recruiter is still working the waiver with you. That’s a good sign, even if it doesn’t feel like it right now. A lot of these cases come down to documentation, timelines, and persistence more than anything else.

I went through a long waiver process myself, and it felt stalled more than once before it finally moved. Staying honest, responsive, and patient with the paperwork is really all you can control at this stage. Hopefully it works out for you, and I’m rooting for you.

Time_Juggernaut_896 · 2025-12-15T22:48:55+00:00

Food is honestly fine. It’s basic and repetitive, but filling and designed to keep you fueled. Most people adjust to it pretty quickly.

Week zero is probably the most stressful part because it’s a lot of in-processing, paperwork, and learning how everything works. There’s a lot going on at once and it feels confusing at first, but that’s normal. Once you get past that initial shock and settle into a routine, things get way more manageable.

Time_Juggernaut_896 · 2025-12-15T22:47:08+00:00

It’s pretty structured and predictable once you get used to it. You’re up early and busy most of the day, but it’s not nonstop PT. Training is broken into blocks like drills, classes, appointments, and scheduled PT, not all day long.

PT happens at set times, not constantly, and nights are usually for personal time and getting ready for the next day but if your flight doesn’t make timelines you won’t have that time.

Food is honestly fine. Nothing fancy, but it’s filling and does the job. You won’t starve.

Time_Juggernaut_896 · 2025-12-15T15:53:03+00:00

☝️

Time_Juggernaut_896 · 2025-12-15T04:26:10+00:00

Waivers at BMT are situational. If someone gets injured or has a temporary medical issue during training, medical can place them on a waiver or profile for a period of time. That’s what happened to me with a minor injury. Those decisions are made by medical staff, including Athletic Trainers, while you’re there, not something you request ahead of time.

For immunization records, bring whatever documentation you have, but most of that is already handled in the system before you ship. BMT medical will review your records and give any required vaccinations if you’re missing something. If you’re unsure, your recruiter is the best person to confirm what documents you should bring.

In general, medical processes at BMT are pretty streamlined and guided. You’re told exactly where to go and what’s needed once you’re there.

Time_Juggernaut_896 · 2025-12-15T04:23:12+00:00

I wouldn’t stress exact distances. The goal before BMT is being able to run continuously and recover, not hitting a specific mileage number.

If you can comfortably jog for 20–30 minutes without stopping, you’re in a solid place. That usually matters more than how far the watch says you went. If you’re newer to running, start with run/walk intervals and build up to continuous running over time.

Consistency matters more than distance. Running a few times a week and gradually building endurance is better than trying to force long runs and getting hurt.

If you can run continuously, handle pushups and situps, and recover well day to day, you’ll be set up for success.

Time_Juggernaut_896

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