Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 7/22/2009

Question
QUESTION: well i was dq'd from the military due to keratoconus in my left eye. i wanna know what i can do to get in the military? i wanna serve my country so bad its heartbreaking not being able to right now. could i join if i get corneal transplant? please help me understand whats going on and why it feels like a slap in the face for me to be an american who wants to serve my country. it's like they're tellin me i'm not american enough. I AM COMBAT READY. I'M READY FOR THE MILITARY! WHY WOULD THEY TELL ME OTHERWISE!

ANSWER: Jesse,
This is a direct quote from the military's medical regulations:  "The causes for rejection for enlistment are dystrophy, corneal, of any type, including keratoconus of any degree, or eye surgery such as a corneal transplant."

I know it doesn't seem like much of a problem right now because it's mild enough that you're probably correcting it with glasses or contacts, but the military is looking at the long term.  People diagnosed with keratoconus in their late teenage years or early 20s usually experience a worsening of the disease as they get older.  Most commonly, keratoconus progresses for a period of ten to twenty years before the course of the disease generally ceases.  The military looks at you as possibly costing them a lot of money in medical care down the road because they'll be responsible for your health care for the rest of your life, and they don't want to take that risk.

Sorry, I know that's not what you want to hear, but that's the facts.

Have you considered Federal Civil Service?  They're in all the Services working right alongside military folks, even overseas, the only difference is they don't wear uniforms and they don't take physical exams.  Plus, you can't beat a steady government paycheck.
When I was in Iraq as a base commander, my deputy was Civil Service.
It may be worth your while to check into it at: http://www.usajobs.gov/
Best of luck in whatever you choose, and thanks for wanting to serve your country in uniform.
Colonel H

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

QUESTION: okay! so basically i will never be able to serve my country?  thats bad! there's nothing that i can do? they can't take a chance on anybody? and why not? I CAN DO THIS! ALL I WANT IS A CHANCE! I CAN SERVE A 4 YEAR TERM AND BE OKAY!

Answer
Jesse,
You'd never make it in the military anyway if you SHOUT at a colonel.

I told you, they're looking beyond just a 4-year term.  If they let you join they'd be responsible for your health care lifelong.

Go see a different recruiter and yell at him.

Colonel H