Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 2/11/2009

Question
my name is taylor and i am seriously considering the air force. it is something that i have always wanted to do since i was a little girl. i am 17 years old and a graduating senior this year. but my question is i had knee surgery about a year ago, i am very active and i take my health seriiously. can i qualify for the air force? this is my dream, i really would love to join!

Answer
Hi Taylor,
I'm glad to hear you're considering the Air Force.
If your knee is OK now and doesn't prevent you from running, etc. you should do just fine in the AF.

When you're seriously ready to join the AF and start the application process, go talk to your recruiter.  He/she will give you a list of questions.  They are largely yes/no questions. First your recruiter will review your answers. Then he/she may ask you for official proof that your knee condition is no longer present or serious, such as a letter from your doctor.  These questions will again be asked at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) where you'll be sent to take a physical and a written test.  Some of the questions the doctor at the MEPS will ask you are:
Have you ever had or do you now have:
- Dislocated joint, including knee, hip, shoulder, elbow, ankle or other joint
- A swollen, painful, or dislocated joint or fluid in a joint (knee, shoulder, wrist, elbow, etc.)
- Broken bone requiring surgery to repair (with or without pins, plates, screws or other metal fixation devices used in repair)
- Limitation of motion of any joint, including knee, shoulder, wrist, elbow, hip or other joint
- Surgery on a bone or joint (knee, shoulder, elbow, wrist, etc.) including Arthroscopy with normal findings
- Taking any medications
- Pain or swelling at the site of an old fracture
- Arthritis
- Cracked bone or fracture(s)
- Shoulder, knee, or elbow problem (out of place)
- Locking of the knee or other joint
- Giving way of knee or other joint
- Any illnesses, surgery, or hospitalization not listed above
If you answer yes to any of these, your recruiter will ensure you have the proper paperwork to
prove it is no longer a problem and you can successfully complete Basic Training (a lot of marching and running).

You MAY have 12-18 months wait from the time you sign-up until the time you actually depart, so talk to your recruiter now and ask what the wait time actually is.

Good luck and welcome to the wonderful life of the Air Force.
Colonel H