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Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Any military careers for disabled people?
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Question
Mark.
My son is a cancer survivor who is a amputee (leg) as a result of his treatment. He is cancer free and a college sophomore and retains a long-held desire to serve his country. He understands that he can't do a lot of what the military needs but he does want to explore a technical field (engineering, computer science) and then apply what he learns for the USAF. Is there any area that might be open to him or should I help him explore other options outside of the military?
Thanks.
Mike,
Sorry to hear about your son's problem, but it's great that he's cancer-free now. Unfortunately he cannot enter the military as an amputee. The stories you hear about amputees serving (such as Carl Brashear) were already in the military and just allowed to continue.
Has he 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. They have no physical standards to meet and quite often disabled applicants may be given priority. Plus, you can't beat a steady government paycheck.
It may be worth his while to check into it at: http://www.usajobs.gov/
I wish him the best of luck in whatever he chooses, and salute him wanting to serve his country in uniform.
Colonel H
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Colonel H, Thanks very much for your response to my question and the speed and clarity with which you answered it. I will share the information you provided with my son and we'll explore the civil service option you recommended. Mike | ||
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Answers by Expert:
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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