Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/scoliosis in the marines?

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Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 8/27/2009


Question
My 16 year old son has had his heart set, for years, on joining the marine corps after high school.  He was just diagnosed with a "curvature of the spine" and is being evaluated for scoliosis.  He is very upset in thinking that this may be a medical exclusion...can you help clarify?
Thank you

Answer
Comment - At first I was quite pleased with Mr.Howell's response, including the actual guidelines was incredibly helpful!  However; he really overstepped when stating that my son would be disqualified and that he could "break his back and become paralized" - are you kidding me?!?  I did not give NEARLY enough information for ANYONE to make such a statement!  The fact is, my son's curvature is only 10 degrees, pretty minor & according to the guidelines stated in Mr.Howell's response, he would NOT be excluded - so, like I said, added those was a good idea.

Jennifer,
Believe it or not a broken back and broken neck are very common occurrences in basic military training.  Recruits routinely fall while attempting to climb a rope over a wall and rappelling down from the high tower.  Any existing weakness makes the risk greater.  I, of course, have no idea how severe your son's case may be.  I'm just assuming that any back problem means a somewhat weakened back.  I'd hate to see him break his back while at the same time trying to fight scoliosis.

I'm glad to hear your son is within the guidelines so he shouldn't have any trouble.
Best of luck,
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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