Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/High blood pressure and army enlistment

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Expert: - 12/14/2009


Question
Mr Lewis,
Hi my name is Tim, I'm 18 years old and very serious about joining the army.  However I take 25 mg of lisinopril q day to keep my pressure low. I have read conflicting things about joining the army with high blood pressure and wanted definitive answer. My question is this: if I get off the medication and have a normal blood pressure am I qualified to serve or is the fact that I once took medication for it disqualifing, also do all branches have the same bp policy?
Thank you for your service to our country and thank you in advance for the time taken to help me out

Tim  

Answer
Technically, if you took the medication in the past, you will be disqualified due to the fact that you have an issue.  Even if your Blood pressure is normal when you join.  By regulation, you have to let your recruiter know that you once were on the medication, supply doctors notes about it.  

If the blood pressure was high due to being obese, and you no longer are, therefore you don't need the med anymore, you will most likley make the cut.  But if it is heeditary or something else, you most likley will not, but only a trip to MEPs for the process can say for sure, depends on how the doctor feels, since all people are different.

Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard

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John L

Expertise

I am a National Guard recruiter , been doing it for seven years and am a subject matter expert on qualifications for National Guard and I keep up to date on Regular Army regs and programs. I was in the Navy for 4 years and have 13 years in the Guard. I will not sugar coat my answers to you. They are usually short and to the point. If you need more in depth, ask me. Because each situation is different, alot of times you need to actually talk to a recruiter and let them evaluate your situation in person, by looking at your documents, issues etc. If I suggest this, it would be in your best interest to do so. Finally...thank you for your interest in serving this great nation of ours. Very few people can actually make the cut to serve let alone choose to do so. So thank you for wanting to and hopefully you will get a chance. Whatever branch you choose, thank you and good luck.

Experience

13 years Guard experince, combat missions and homeland missions. 7 years recruiting. I have been a platoon sergeant and squad leader. Mentor to new recruiters and recruits.

Education/Credentials
Recruiters course and advanced courses in recruiting

Awards and Honors
Top recruiter in district for FY 2008. Nominated for recruiter of the year for 2010.

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