How about this -
if you've been picked up by a unit and got denied by MEPS for a childhood hospitalization - the diagnosis and treatment isn't a DQ item so who knows why MEPS denied. Paperwork goes to surgeon general so they can override MEPS, surgeon general wants current evaluation by specialist. UPT candidate goes to see specialist, and is told by specialist that they will do surgical procedure before providing an evaluation. fair enough, procedure scheduled. (at this point, expecting to shell out ~200 in addition to the 100 for the initial consultation which sucks but oh well.) candidate then finds out the procedure will cost $600+, even with insurance. candidate is flat out poor regional pilot and literally doesn't have money to pay for this. question is, are there any options for a sponsored candidate to get help from the govt to pay for this at least partially if not fully? the answer from recruiter was "yeah uh no, that's not gonna happen." Granted I'm not officially in yet but I would think there has to be way or avenue to get help paying for this somehow... maybe it's just me and I don't know enough about this process but it seems a little wrong too, to make an officer candidate pay 700 out of their own pocket to prove that they are fit to go to MEPS. Even newhires don't have to pay for their own drug testing at any company in America. I know I am doing this out of choice and it's a dream come true, really... honestly don't mind having to go through the extra hoops because I know this is military and lots of other guys have had to go through the same exact thing or worse... but the financial aspect of it is killing me. never thought I would face an issue like this. does anyone have any experience with this or should I just start saving now so I can afford to go to MEPS sometime in the next 5 years.