Military Entrance Medical Waiver Evaluations
Independent psychological evaluations to accompany MEPS waiver packages for applicants with a psychological history
When a psychological history stands between you and military service, you need an evaluator who understands both sides — the clinical picture and the standard the military is applying. Dr. Elaine Foster, a retired USAF lieutenant colonel, provides independent psychological evaluations for applicants who have been flagged by MEPS, denied under a psychological accession standard, or are preparing a waiver package with their recruiter.
What this service is designed for:
Applicants who have a documented psychological history and need an independent evaluation as part of a waiver request.
This type of evaluation may be appropriate if:
MEPS identified a mental health issue in your history and your recruiter advised additional psychological documentation.
You have a past diagnosis such as ADHD, depression, anxiety, or another behavioral health condition that requires a waiver.
You previously used psychiatric medication, including antidepressants, stimulants, or other psychotropic medications, and need documentation of your current functioning and stability.
You need a thorough, independent psychological evaluation that includes standardized psychological testing, a clinical interview, and review of relevant records to address military accession or waiver process.
Parents and families trying to understand what a childhood diagnosis means for their now-adult child's ability to serve, and what the evaluation process actually involves.
Recruiters who need a reliable, fast-turnaround evaluator for applicants facing a psychological disqualification, and want a partner who explains outcomes honestly rather than promising results.
What this service is:
A thorough, independent psychological evaluation — a clinical interview, a full review of your psychiatric and developmental history, and objective psychological testing when indicated — resulting in a written report addressing your current psychological functioning, stability, and the specific medical standard your case involves.
What this service is not:
This is not psychotherapy, and it is not legal advocacy. I provide a report but I do not represent you to MEPS, the recruiter, or the waiver authority.
I don’t ultimately decide whether a waiver is granted; that determination rests with your Military Department.
I will not tell you what you want to hear if the record doesn't support it — an honest, credible opinion protects you more than a favorable one that your documents don’t support.
I’m a retired lieutenant colonel, military psychologist who has conducted hundreds of medical evaluations board summaries, security clearance evaluations, commander-directed mental health evaluations, and fitness-for-duty exams over a 30 year career.
Some conditions, including bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, and a history of psychiatric hospitalization, are specifically disqualifying under current accession standards. Although a waiver may technically be considered in some circumstances, these histories generally warrant a cautious prognosis because waiver approval can be harder to get. If I don't think an independent evaluation will help your case, I'll say so before you spend the money. If I think I can help, I'll tell you that too.
Complete Online Testing, Intake, and Interview
Free 15 Minute Phone Call to Determine if Appointment Makes Sense
Receive Report
About Dr. Elaine Orabona Foster, Ph.D., ABPP
Dr. Elaine Foster is a board-certified (ABPP) clinical and prescribing psychologist with over 30 years of experience evaluating security professionals, military service members, and veterans.
She served 25 years as a U.S. Air Force psychologist (Lieutenant Colonel, retired), conducting security clearance evaluations and thousands of psychological assessments where decisions had to be made and the paperwork mattered.
She is licensed in New Mexico (License #1197) and Texas (License #40743), and holds prescribing authority in New Mexico (PS-RXP #0021). Her approach is direct and respectful. She knows you came to get back to work, and her job is to give you a fair, thorough, and timely evaluation.
FAQs
Does MEPS accept evaluations from a civilian psychologist?
1
MEPS and the waiver authority make the final determination on what evidence they'll consider. An independent evaluation is one piece of a waiver package, generally submitted alongside your treatment records and your recruiter's request — it does not replace the MEPS process.
Is every psychological history waiverable?
2
No. Under current DoD accession standards (DoDI 6130.03), some conditions — including a bipolar disorder diagnosis, a psychotic disorder, or a history of psychiatric hospitalization — are treated as close to categorically disqualifying, with little to no discretionary waiver path. I'll tell you directly during our first conversation if your history falls into this category, before you spend money on a full evaluation.
Will you guarantee my waiver gets approved?
3
No evaluator can guarantee that, and you should be skeptical of anyone who does. The Military Department — not me — makes the waiver decision. What I can guarantee is an honest, thorough, and professionally defensible evaluation.
What if the evaluation doesn't support a waiver?
4
You decide whether to submit your final report as part of your waiver package unless you have asked me to send it directly to someone else. The report remains part of my professional records.
How long does the process take?
5
Most applicants complete the intake questionnaire, testing, and interview within one appointment window of about 3-4 hours. Report turnaround is usually within a week.
Can my recruiter or parent be involved?
6
Your recruiter can provide referral context and any MEPS documentation. If you're currently under 18, a parent or guardian provides consent as legally required. If you're an adult with a childhood diagnosis, you control your own consent — a parent can contribute background information if you authorize that.
Why do you need my records?
7
Records carry more weight than memory alone — for you and for me. A waiver evaluation is judged on documented evidence, not just self-report, so hospital discharge summaries, treating provider records, and school records let me verify dates, diagnoses, and treatment history rather than relying on recall of things that may have happened years ago. This works in your favor: a well-documented, consistent history is far more credible to a waiver reviewer than an evaluation built on gaps I can't confirm. If you don't have everything, that's normal — we'll identify what's missing and, where possible, request it before the report is finalized.
What makes you different from another evaluator?
8
I'm a retired military psychologist, and I've conducted nearly every type of military evaluation there is — Commander-Directed Mental Health Evaluations, Medical Evaluation Boards, Sanity Boards, security clearance evaluations, and fitness-for-duty exams.
I understand both the clinical side and the standards the military is actually applying, because I spent a career applying them myself.
I price my evaluations reasonably (between $1000 and $1200) depending on how much history must be documented and if psychological testing is required. I want to support the military community, not price people out of getting an honest opinion. And I will tell you directly whether I think your history supports a waiver — including when it doesn't — because a candid opinion serves you better than one that only tells you what you want to hear.
Ready to schedule your evaluation?
Set Up Recruiter Scheduling
If you routinely refer applicants for psychological waiver evaluations, PsyConOps offers dedicated scheduling so your candidates move through the process quickly and your packages don't stall waiting on an evaluator.
I work directly with recruiters and station commanders to keep turnaround fast without cutting corners on the evaluation itself.
For more information, email: info@psyconops.com / call: 575-323-0341