MEPS?

MEPS can be a long drawn out process and this is where it's important to make sure everything is disclosed so if waivers are needed they can be dealt with NOW.  17 times through MEPS does seem a bit excessive and definitely NOT the norm....but again, they want to get everything cleared before heading to boot camp. 

A prime example that causes problems is asthma!  Many recruiters will say "oh, it's been so many years since you've had any asthma issues so just don't mention it".  WRONG ANSWER..  This is a big one that gets recruits sent home from BC.  Something will come up while they are there (BC), RTC will request medical records, it will show up that little Johnny took asthma meds back in middle school but now you didn't report it at MEPS, so basically your recruit LIED about their medical history and now they are being SEPARATED!  Don't let that happen.  Take the time to get everything taken care of before boot camp and then there shouldn't be any surprises.

My son had some vision issues so he had to jump through a lot of hoops before he shipped.  He was in DEP for almost a year before finally leaving.  

And be sure to come on over to the boot camp page and ask your questions there.  More people will see them there....

Hang in there!  Remember, it's the Navy, hurry up and wait!

They also have a thing when they first arrive at boot camp - it's referred to as "the moment of truth".  This is where they will tell your recruit they either know something about them (prior to BC) or they have some information regarding their medical that wasn't disclosed and they need to disclose it NOW! 

My advice is to keep your mouth shut at this point.  As long as it was disclosed it to their recruiter (and the recruiter didn't say IGNORE IT) they should be good.  Many recruits get sent home at this point.  Now, I'm not advising them to lie, I'm just saying keep your mouth shut!  Recruits are on little to no sleep at this point so it's challenging for them. 

AGAIN, MAKE SURE ANY ISSUES ARE DISCLOSED AT MEPS AND WAIVERS ARE GRANTED BEFORE LEAVING FOR BOOT CAMP!  It's pretty much next to impossible to get a waiver once they are at boot camp.

LZ, it is what it is. That is sort of how the Navy works, maybe the military in general (MEPS is a joint DOD command). There are a bazillon forms and most recruits need some sort of waiver. Some NECs such as the Nuke ratings automatically require special approval or a security clearance. If they need TS/SCI clearance, at some point some Men (and Women) In Black will interview everyone your Sailor has ever met.

This is really your son's problem to deal with. The last and most difficult duty of a parent is to let your birds fly away from the nest.  At this point, you can advise and encourage, but not much else. It really is a thing when it is 10PM and you aren't cleared to know where your child is. Yeah, I'm dating myself with a reference to a PSA that hasn't aired in over 30 years.

As others have noted, the only advice that one should never take from a recruiter is "you don't need to mention that". If there is any question at all, disclose it. That especially applies to anything medical. One of those forms is a HIPAA waiver that gives the DOD access to all medical records. Assume they will find out everything. It is always best to open, honest, and upfront regarding anything they ask about, though it is not necessary to volunteer information they don't ask about. Honesty and honor are matter of character: there is way too much "cheat to win" out there these days. I like to say that when it seems like nice guys finish last, it is because they are running a different race.