Pre-Departure Changes And Medical Readiness

These issues can affect your eligibility to ship and must be reported immediately to both your flight chief (TSgt Wells) and your recruiter.

Severe acute illness: If you develop a severe acute illness, you will need a doctor’s note. You will lose your current ship date and will have to wait for another ship date.

Injury: You will have to be medically examined to determine whether you still meet the qualifications to join the military. Depending on the injury, this could result in a discharge. It is highly recommended that you avoid high-risk activities before shipping.

Weight standards: Failure to meet the required weight standards will result in a discharge and an inability to rejoin the military in any branch. If weight is a concern, your ship date needs to be pulled 45 days before departure, and no less than 30 days before departure, to provide additional time to lose weight and meet the standards.

General rule: The most recent BMT information email, orders, amended orders, and instructions provided during out-processing or training control what applies. This FAQ explains the local process in more detail but does not replace newer written guidance.

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