Shoulder Surgery Disqualifying Me From the Army?
Hey y'all, Back in the 8th grade, I got a bad shoulder injury from playing football. My shoulder wouldn't stay in it's socket, and could dislocate very easily. I had to get an open surgery on it to keep in in place. 3 years later, I'm a junior in high school, and I've had no further problems with my shoulder. I've always wanted to join the Army with the goals of becoming a Ranger, and now that the time to start joining up is nearing, I've been doing research of exact details on the process of joining. The other day, I learned about MEPS. I then became concerned that my shoulder surgery could disqualify me from military service. So my question is, would my shoulder surgery disqualify me from joining the Army?
Will I be disqualified from joining the military?
I will soon be completing my BS and would like to join either the Air Force or Army. I'd like to get my MD or psyD through the HPSP. I don't have any really have any medical "issues" but have been treated in the past for a few things: 1) I have hypothyroid, it is well controlled on medication. 2) I have a small thyroid nodule (something like 5 mm). I've had a recent biopsy, it was benign. I have had frequent ultrasounds to check it and the nodule is shrinking in size (my endocrinologist thinks it was growing during my pregnancy due to all the extra hormones). 3) After I had my son I thought I had postpartum depression/anxiety. I saw my OB, she gave me a script for Zoloft and told me to see a psychiatrist. I saw a psychiatrist...he didn't seem to think I had any kind of PPD. I am unsure if the medication was helpful. We decided that it was okay for me to stop taking it. He chose not to treat me with any medications or therapy and said to see how it goes and come back if I had any problems. It is now months later, I've had no problems with any sort of depression or anxiety issues. I have no plans on going back. 4) In 2004 I had an abdominoplasty (commonly called a tummy tuck) because I had extra skin on my abdomen. Only skin was removed, my muscles were not operated on. In 2006 I had liposuction and had my abdominoplasty revised (the first surgeon did a not so stellar job). I have scars. 5) In 2007 I had a nasal polyp removed. I've had none since and have no other ear/nose/throat issues. I'd be honored to join the military, however I'm afraid due to my medical history I might be denied. I read a list of medical conditions that disqualify you, and I seem to be okay with the exception of the "depression", taking Zoloft...and I'm not sure about the cosmetic surgery. I should note that I do not believe I was ever diagnosed with depression. Is it true that if it was never diagnosed it didn't happen? I think I tend to over analyze these things. It would be very unfortunate for these things to hinder my ability to join. I appreciate any feedback or personal experiences regarding a waiver. I should add that lying is absolutely NOT an option for me, I find that to be a horrible quality in a person. I appreciate any responses. Thank you! Amanda
It depends on what surgery you have undergone. If it won't affect your dialy life activities and not a surgery mentioned in the medical standards which would lead to rejection, it's fine.
If you have scars, can you join the military?As others have pointed out, it entirely depends on the nature of the scars and if they have an impact on performance*.For the U.S. military, when in processing, i.e. before leaving for boot camp/recruit training, any identifying marks will be thoroughly documented. This is for several purposes up to and including identifying your body should it come to it.My personal experience centered around a large scar starting from my lower rib cage going just around and below my belly button. (Shawn McManus's answer to Have you ever been rushed to the emergency room, but the doctors couldn't figure out what was wrong with you?) My washboard abs** looked like they’d been worked over by a sledgehammer.When in MEPS, the doctors asked several questions about it and what I was told by my doctors regarding disease immunity - I’ve had my spleen removed - and the like.Right after me was a recruit who had a scar going across the top of his head from one ear to the other.The processing CPO asked him what was the source.He explained he’d had brain surgery.The CPO yelled, “Well no shit!*** I didn’t think you cut yourself shaving! What kind of brain surgery?!”He explained that it was due to trauma and not cancer and that his recruiter thought it would be OK for him to join.I think he was dropped that day, the day of his PEBD (Pay Entry Base Date - i.e. the first day of Service).*Circumcision not included**Then washboard abs. I’ve since replaced my six-pack with a keg.***My apologies for the language; I try to keep answers rated PG.
The US Army's AR 40-501 says:"...Current refractive error (hyperopia (367.0), myopia (367.1), astigmatism (367.2)), or history of refractive error prior to any refractive surgery manifest by any refractive error in spherical equivalent of worse than -8.00 or +8.00 diopters does not meet the standard. However, for entrance into USMA or Army ROTC programs, the following conditions do not meet the standard: (1) Astigmatism, all types over 3 diopters. (2) Hyperopia over 8.00 diopters spherical equivalent. (3) Myopia over 8 diopters spherical equivalent. (4) Refractive error corrected by orthokeratology or keratorefractive surgery. e. Contact lenses. Current complicated cases requiring contact lenses for adequate correction of vision, such as corneal scars (371) and irregular astigmatism (367.2), do not meet the standard..."In other words if your presurgical refractive error did not meet the requirements for enlistment of for entrance into an officer program, you still won't be accepted. You can ask for a waiver. Be persistent.
Army MEPS - disqualifying?
I had gallstones and a follow-up gallbladder removal in 2001. It is major surgery I will have to report to MEPS, and the physician will see the scars anyway. It was done with a scope and there have been no complications. However, I do not know the name of the hospital in which I received the surgery, and the Army needs this information to request the file. So basically, since I cannot remember, the file cannot be found. Will this disqualify me? Or just delay the process? Is there any way around having the records? Please do not answer, "They will hold off until they get the file." Unless they can somehow look it up...it cannot be found. Thank you.
Does intestinal surgery disqualify a person from consideration for the United States Coast Guard?
The Coast Guard is the most selective branch but the medical screening process (MEPS) is the same for all military recruits. The condition may or may not be disqualifying, the best route is bringing all of the paperwork associated with the operation to show the doctors at MEPS that the condition will not pose a problem down the road or interfere with physical requirements. After reviewing the documentation, they may decide it won't be an issue and clear you to join. If they don't, you can try for a medical waiver through your recruiter.
Will having scoliosis disqualify you in the marine physical?
good im within the Marine Corps. a few humans don't seem to be permit in on the grounds that of scientific stipulations. however on the other hand it additionally is determined by the kind of task(MOS) that u desire. ur bigger off as a paper pusher(at a table task) than being in the entire combating. u wont be in a position two take it on the grounds that of ur scoliosis.The Marine Corps is a lil rough in the case of stuff like this.
Past self harm scars disqualify me for the navy?
Obvious self harm scars are an instant PDQ--all branches. and exactly, they will not buy "my cat scratched me" or "my pet rabbit got me with their nails". They are perfectly aware of what self harm scars look like, and the obvious places most people do them......because of where they can reach. Losing a battle with a barbed wire fence, won't look anything like self harm scars. They can tell the difference between surgery scars and self inflicted wounds. I had a nice scar on my stomach from Gall Bladder surgery. It was no problem, since that's precisely what it was. If I had a line of 10 such scars, in a row, that would be an obvious PDQ.
Was the inhaler for asthma? Because believe it or not the military actually relaxed the policies around childhood asthma a few years ago. Now, asthma is only an automatic DQ if it has occurred after your 13th birthday. However with your other medical history they'll most likely take a closer look so unfortunately you're not out of the woods. As for the heart surgery, again probably not an automatic DQ as most childhood conditions are not, even cancer. In a couple years when you begin talking to a recruiter they will guide you through the process. Sometimes you might get a recruiter who doesn't want the extrain work of dealing with possible medical DQs because quite frankly with the shrinking force they are having no trouble making their quotas. In other words some recruiters are assholes. If you run into that find another one. Then again two years is a long time and who knows what the world will look like then. They might put a contract in front of you, no questions asked lol