Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Joining the USCG with shoulder surgery

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Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 8/24/2009


Question
I am trying to enlist in the USCG and received some bad news.  Three years ago while I was playing baseball in college I had shoulder surgery.  It was a very minor surgery where the doctor just "cleaned up" my shoulder.  There were no pins or any permanent devices placed into my shoulder.  I was also playing baseball again a few months later with no problems and no loss of range of motion.  When my recruiter sent in my medical information to meps, the doctors said that my surgery was disqualifying and would not even allow me to get a physical.  I have had no problems with my shoulder, have full range of motion, and full strength.  I am even a firefighter now with a large metropolitan fire department.  Is there any way for me to get around this and try and get a physical?  My recruiter seems to not want to take the time to work with me now.

Answer
Thomas,
Go see a different recruiter.  It's perfectly permissible to go "recruiter shopping".  The recruiter in your town is just there for your convenience.  Sometimes you'll run into a real doofus like this who isn't willing to work with you.  Others will bend over backwards to help you.

The military medical regulations concerning shoulders says exactly, "if the joint ranges of motion are less than forward elevation to 90 degrees and abduction [means sideways from the midline of the body]to 90 degrees you are disqualified from enlistment."

If you have full range of motion you shouldn't have a problem.

Thanks for wanting 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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