Expert: Howard Lorenz - 6/6/2008

Question
Hi, I had a few qustions leading to one big one.  I am trying to enlist in the U.S. Army.  I have this hereditary disease called osteochondromitosis and I had a leg discrepancy of 2 inches.  Basically it is non-cancerous tumors and they were prominently in my legs.  I have had 3 corrective serguries.  The first one was when I was twleve to remove most of the tumors, the second one consisted of removing more tumors and to try and naturally correct the leg discrepancy naturally.  After the second surgery I had to wait and see if my legs would even out.  I graduated high school in 2004 then proceeded to the Air Force recruiting office to speak with the Sergent about what I would have to do to enlist.  I told him that it was my dream to serve in the armed forces since I was seven years old.  I took four years of AFJROTC in high school and loved EVERY minute of it.  He told me that ther would be no garrauntees but we would try as hard as we could.  I got all of my medical records together and they were sent to the Surgeon General and was denied on account of the 2 inch leg descrepancy but was told by the MEPS doctor at the time that if I got it corrected, that I would be able to enlist 1 year after the corrective surgery.  In 2006 I had the corrective surgery at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital in Nashville, TN, where I had the other 2 surgeries when I was younger, to remove 2 inches of bone and have the same leg legnths to join the military.  I asked my doctor on my follow up "If I wanted to jump out of a plane would I be able to?"  he said "sure."  I recently went to the Army recruiting office and tried to enlist and my recruiter got my medical records sent them off to MEPS which then were sent to the Surgeon General again and then again denied after I was told I would be able to enlist and also recieved 100% clearance and a letter stating that I can do anything with "NO RESTRICTIONS" from my doctor who specializes in this field.  I have no more leg discrepancy and no more "tumors" they were all removed when I was younger.  I run 4 miles in 35-45 minutes and I am physically fit.  My recruiter gave me a sheet of qualifications for the final PT test at bootcamp and I already pass.  What should I do next?  I just want to serve my country and take care of my wife and 2 children and I know that I can do just as much if not even more than anyone else who is going into the service.  I guess I just need to know my options if I have any.  

Thanks

Answer
Well... unless you have something in black & white, its going to be tough... I would try the Air Force, or the Navy....stay away form jumping jobs and just try to get in.. If not then try the senator for your district or the state congressman. They will be your last chance...