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Question
My son is graduating from H.S. soon and has decided to enlist in the Marines. We have a congenital blood condition, a mild enemia called beta-thalecemia. He is a top notch athlete. I have it and it didn't stop me from serving as a corpsman in the Navy (but that was early 70's). he'll score high on the ASVABs. Will the service DQ him because of the enemia?" Thank you in advance.
Dan,
As you know Beta thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder that results in a reduced amount of oxygen supplied to cells throughout the body. Although it is considered a fairly common blood disorder, the military considers it a disqualifier because treatments usually require blood transfusions and it can lead to heart failure and liver problems if left untreated. The military can send you to some strange places and medical facilities aren't always available in some of those places so they would rather play it safe and simply not accept him. A direct quote from the military medical regulations state: "The causes for rejection for appointment, enlistment, and induction are an authenticated history of Anemia. Any hereditary acquired, aplastic, or unspecified anemia that has not been permanently corrected with therapy."
Sorry, I know that's not what you were hoping to hear.
I salute his willingness to serve in the military.
Colonel H
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Answers by Expert:
MARK A. HOWELL
Expertise
All military questions, any Service. 30 years experience & two Ph.D.'s. 4 times Base Commander. Worked with Army, Navy, USMC, USCG and several foreign military units. Veteran of Kosovo, Bosnia, Macedonia, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, and 10 civil wars in Africa.
Experience
Air Force Colonel with 30 years experience. Air Force Base Commander 4 times. Highly decorated.
Organizations
Org of Am Historians, Wild West History Assoc.,
Disabled American Veterans - Life Member, Am Motorcyclist Assoc. - Life Member,
North Am Hunt Club - Life Member, NWTF - Life Member
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Numerous book reviews published in the Journal of American History.
Two books submitted for publication.
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Ph.D. in military history, Columbus University (Summa Cum Laude)
Ph.D. in history, Northfield University, London, England (Summa Cum Laude)
Master of Arts degree in history, Marshall University, WV
Bachelors degree, double-major in history and mathematics, Salem College, WV
Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL
Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL
Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL
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Legion of Merit
Defense MSM
MSM x 5
Joint Commendation Mdl
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