Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 10/23/2009

Question
My son is 17 - in the NJROTC & Seacadets and wants to go to Annapolis, if not able to get accepted then enlist in the Navy.  He is top 6% (currently ranked 50 out of 750)in his class, excels in Math & Science.  He has chronic sinusitus - no asthma - we are seeking to come off his once a month allergy shots, although he has had numerous surgeries his condition has improved and his sinus surgeon does not see a problem.  Will this be a MEPS Disqualification and do they offer a waiver if he is checked out by a Meps specialist?  If he can not get into the navy with this condition is there any other branch that would possibly accept him?  Do I need to obtain all of his records or do I wait until he tries to enlist and the MEPS will request them?  Thank you,

Answer
Darlene,

According to the military medical regulations, they say exactly "The causes for rejection for appointment, enlistment, and induction are:
- Sinusitis, acute.
- Sinusitis, chronic, when evidenced by chronic purulent nasal discharge, hyperplastic changes of the nasal tissue, symptoms requiring frequent medical attention, or x-ray findings."

The regs do NOT say he cannot have had corrective surgery.  They DO specifically mention no corrective surgery when it comes to other medical conditions.  So if it were disallowed I'm sure they would have mentioned it.

As for allergies it says: "The causes for rejection for appointment, enlistment, and induction are:

- Allergic manifestations.

- Allergic or vasomotor rhinitis, if moderate or severe and not controlled by oral medications, desensitization, or topical corticosteroid medication.

It will help greatly if he does stop his allergy shots.  If you even mention allergy to the military they'll reject you, whether the allergy shots are for allergies or something else..  Also, if he has a letter from his ENT doctor saying he's OK now that will help.

The doctors at the MEPS represent all the Services, so if he fails there he's failed every Service.  So it's very important he watches what he says.  Never volunteer any information.  Just answer the questions.

Get the letter from the ENT doctor ONLY.  DO NOT bring any other medical records.  You're not required to, so don't..  It may just generate more questions.

I wish him well.  Keep me posted.
I hope he gets in.
Colonel H