Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Hepatitis B

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Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 7/14/2009


Question
My 17 yr old was recently diagnosed with Hepatitis B.  She is adopted from Thailand and is a carrier.  She is in good physical health otherwise.  Her dream since about 10 yrs old was to join the military service.  She has been in AFROTC and recent completed COLS with a outstanding Cadet award.  My question which I have not been able to get an answer to is can she still join the service? I would appreciate an answer to this question and I thank you.

Answer
Eileen,
A direct quote from the military's medical regulations states: "The causes for rejection for appointment, enlistment, and induction are an authenticated history of viral hepatitis, or unspecified hepatitis, or objective evidence of impairment of liver function, chronic Hepatitis, and Hepatitis B carriers."

So unfortunately she would not be able to join.
Colonel H

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

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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

Publications
Numerous book reviews published in the Journal of American History. Two books submitted for publication.

Education/Credentials
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

Awards and Honors
Legion of Merit Defense MSM MSM x 5 Joint Commendation Mdl AF Commendation Medal Army Commendation Mdl Joint Achievement Mdl AF Achievement Medal Outstanding Volunteer Mdl

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