Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 4/15/2009

Question
hi mark,

i really want to get into the military but i am afraid that a single medical issue may keep me out, along with a single legal issue that was expunged/ prayer for judgement ( but i mentioned alternate judication like an idiot)

the medical issue was over back spasms. i don't have them but i do have minor-moderate back pains with extreme physical activity. i can still run 8 miles a day but heavy lifting for extended periods can

my question is whether or not a back spasm diagnosis would keep me out of any branch and if the recruiters put the pre-qualifications on a database or just file them for a while?

i would also like to know how they procure medical records, if you know yourself.

Answer
Richard,
Unless you have a back spasm while the doctor is examining you I know of no way he will discover it.  According to the regulations the doctor must follow, they state, "Weak or painful back requiring external support such as a corset or brace; recurrent sprains or strains requiring limitation of physical activity or frequent treatment, are a cause for disqualification."

You are not required to bring any medical records with you to the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS).  Once you are in the military you will have Medical Records that follow you around the entire time you are in the military.  The military knows this isn't possible in the civilian world because you may have moved 20 times and seen 30 different doctors.

At the MEPS, part of your physical test is to lift a 50lb. weight (on a weight machine) over your head with two hands.  This is the only part that may put some stress on your back.

You're just given an "in general" physical exam by a physician.  If you admit to a pre-existing condition they'll disqualify you because you might cost the government a lot of money in health care treatment down the road.  However, if you let the doctor examine you he may or may not discover a problem.  I say let the physician do his job and see if he finds anything wrong.  Unless you tell him, how's the physician going to know you have a backache?  
I'm certainly not encouraging you to be dishonest, but you'll find out quickly to never volunteer anything in the military.  If you need to, you can take medicine with you to boot camp.  If it's a prescription your parents can also mail refills to you.  Later on, after you've been in for a year or two you can go to the doctor and tell him you've been having backaches.  If it "happens" after you're already in the military for awhile, you're safe.

So, what I'm saying is that many people simply answer the question "no" when asked if they have any back problems, to preclude running the risk of being disqualified and then going through the waiver application hassle which may or may not work.  Usually it works for those folks.  How you answer the question is up to you.

As for your legal issue, if it was indeed expunged, it means your record was wiped clean and you have no "record."  Still, you have to admit it, plus this let's them know you're an honest guy.  It won't be a problem.

Good luck, and thanks for wanting to serve.
Colonel H