Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 5/3/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hello.   My son is 16 yrs old.   He suffered a dislocated shoulder during baseball.   Since original injury, He has had another dislocation, surgery to repair,  two more shoulder dislocations, and surgery to repair again. (within a 1 yrs time)  This time surgery has repaired shoulder.   Would this type of injury/repair keep him from a career in the military.   We are looking more at the Air Force or National Guard.    Thanks in advance for any information that you might give me.

ANSWER: Kim,
In short, he's good to go!
I thought the answer was favorable but just to be sure I checked the medical regulations that the doctors use at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS).  To quote the regs, "The causes for rejection for appointment, enlistment, and induction are: Limitation of motion - An individual will be considered unacceptable if the joint ranges of motion are less than the measurements listed below. Shoulder: (a) Forward elevation to 90 degrees, (b) Abduction to 90 degrees.  So if he can perform these movements, he'll be OK.  Surgery is not mentioned at all in the section dealing with shoulders.  I know on most other body parts if the surgery cured the specific problem, the person is deemed acceptable.

The main reason the military will disqualify a person is if they believe he might cost the government a lot of money in health care treatment down the road.  You've already fixed the problem so his shoulder shouldn't be a liability.

You mentioned you're looking at the Air Force or National Guard.  I must ask why?  (don't answer, it's a rhetorical question.)  Are you aware of the vast differences in the two?  Young men like your son are usually much better off in the Active-Duty component of the AF.  The Air National Guard (ANG) is a separate component.  All too often I receive questions from ANG folks who want to "switch over" to Active-Duty after they've seen the difference.  It normally just can't be done.  The ANG and Reserves are usually better-suited for older individuals who want to serve their country in uniform but already have a great job, family, house, etc. that commits them to staying in one place.  A young 17-year old man is free to travel and see the world and learn all he can.  Someday after he leaves the active-duty military he'll probably want to join the ANG or Reserves, which is very easy then.  There's just no way I'd recommend the ANG or Reserves to a 17-year old.  If he starts out in the Active-Duty military his opportunities will be endless.
I appreciate his willingness to serve his country in uniform!
Colonel H

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the quick response.  Thanks also for the range of motion measurements.   I will definitely check with his physical therapist on this.   I do have another question for you.    My son is looking for a career in physical therapy.   After going through a year of it himself, he has found something that really peaks his interest and feels that he can relate.    Which branch of military would you consider to be his best option for going for what he wants to do?

Answer
Kim,
I would have to say the Air Force or the Navy as my first choice.

He really only has 3 choices because the USMC and USCG use Navy doctors, although the USCG does have some medics.  Unfortunately, I have been treated by Physical Therapists at all 3 Services.  I received good care from the Army, but the therapists said their patients are treated much better than their own staff.  One Army therapist jokingly (I assume) said that the Army puts the "pist" in Therapist.

The Navy and AF therapists I have worked with, all loved their jobs and gave me excellent therapy.  One young fellow in AF Physical Therapy, that I assumed was probably a Major, was more knowledgeable about my injury than my own doctor (a Major).  He took off his white coat and was wearing Staff Sergeant rank.

So he still has to make a choice, you or I can't do that for him.

I'm glad he found something he's interested in.
Best wishes,
Colonel H