Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Friend rejected for service in the Marines

Advertisement

Expert: - 3/26/2009


Question
Hi,

A friend of mine recently tried to enlist in the Marines. He's a physically fit recent high school grad, he has no criminal record or history of drug use, he met several times with a recruiter, he passed all the physical/psych/etc exams. He had laparoscopic surgery on his shoulder a few years ago, but the doctor who performed the surgery fully cleared him for service. He was under the impression he'd been accepted - his recruiter had given him a date to report to Parris Island - when he received a letter from Washington rejecting him from service because of the surgery.
I realize I'm hardly an expert on military service requirements, but this doesn't seem right to me. With the procedure used in that exploratory surgery, it was less damaging to his shoulder than if he'd simply broken his arm. And again, the doctor completely, unreservedly cleared him.
I think this kid could really excel in the Marines - basically, I wanted to get the opinion of someone a little more in the know than I am as to whether or not I should encourage him to push this further.

Thanks.

Answer
Corey:

 Since this is 'third hand' we really aren't sure what this is about.  It sounds like he could just apply for a waiver, esp. if the doctor signed off on his surgery that it wouldn't be an issue.  He needs to talk to his recruiter if he hasn't done so already.

 I've never heard of someone getting a 'letter from Washington' about being rejected for service, usually that's done right at the Military Entrance Processing Station and you are told exactly why.  Once you are accepted for enlistment (i.e. passed the physical) it would be well nigh impossible for 'Washington' to reject you (since that would likely overrule their own doctors who just accepted you).

 Something doesn't sound right.  Unless you've physically SEEN this document or I'm misinterpreting what's been said.

Jason

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

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Jason Grabill

Expertise

Questions relating to US Marine Corps; rank, awards, uniforms, career choices. I can also help people spot and expose fakes (people pretending to be Marines or have awards they didn`t earn). Considering the Marines as a career? Or another branch, like the Air National Guard? Drop me a line. HOWever..know that I am NOT a recruiter. I can offer my expert opinion and advice, but can't (and won't) over rule what a recruiter says, they are the 'on duty' expert.

Experience

Infantry Rifleman, MOS 0311: 3 years. Marine Barracks Security (Marine Barracks, Annapolis, Maryland(not Embassy Duty): 3 years. Parachutist: MOS 9962: Got my wings in August of 1984. Intelligence Specialist: MOS 0231 10 years working as an Intelligence Analyst with a Fixed Wing Fighter Squadron, Force Service Support Group, and at Headquarters, Marine Corps. Field Radio Operator: MOS 2531. Served as a Platoon Sergeant in a Communications Platoon assigned to MEU Service Support Group 24 (Special Operations Capable). Did a hitch in the Army reserves as an 11B (Infantryman), 3 years. Finished out my career in the Air National Guard as a BioEnvironmental Engineer MOS 4B3X1, did that for a few years. I"ve been collecting and selling Marine Corps and other military uniforms, medals, and field gear since I was 8 years old.

Organizations
United States Marine Corps Logistical Company.

Publications
I was an Editorial writer for Marine Corps Times from 1998-2000.

Education/Credentials
Extensive library of research materials relating to uniforms, medals, and equipment of the military and the Marine Corps. 22 College credits, Community College of the Air Force. Certified Historical Interpreter.

Awards and Honors
Kosovo Campaign Medal w/1 star Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 4 stars. Numerous other unit awards. I was on duty on 9/11 at HQMC, near the Pentagon, and responded to that location to try and lend a hand if needed...

Past/Present Clients
United States Marine Corps Historical Company, Guardian Security and Investigations, lead Investigator for 'Stolen Valor' cases.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.