Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 9/2/2009

Question
My son was in the Navy DEP program for 6 months. Two months in he came down with Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is a systemic vasculitis that causes the blood vessels in the skin to become inflamed, causing red spots on this legs. We have taken him to 2 different dermatologist and both have written letters saying this is a temporary condition an will not affect any duties required by the navy and will go away usually with in a year. This type of vacuities is treated with ibuprofen.

One month before my son was to ship out he was discharged the form said “Discharge due to history of vacuities. I have spoke to the recruiter several times about this and keep getting the run around. At first I was told wait three months the have him go see the MEPS doctor, then I was told wait 6 months. Also at another time I was told he might never get in because the MEPS doctor read it was airborne which was incorrect. It is caused by the immune system over reacting to the Flu (The flu is airborne).

What can we do? My son wants to go into the Navy and has been planning to do so for years. He has never been in trouble, doesn't drink, and doesn't do drugs. Just a good kid and you would think the Navy would want him.  

Answer
Paul,
You're right, it's very hard to find trouble-free recruits these days.  You'd be amazed by the number of potential recruits that have numerous legal problems.

When you said "one month before my son was to ship out he was discharged..." I need to make sure we're both on the same page and you're using the proper terms.  It may sound insignificant to you but I need to know exactly what's going on so I can advise you properly,

At first it sounded like your son never made it past the MEPS.  Then you said he was discharged.  He would only be discharged if he was actually inducted into the Service, which means he made it past the MEPS, raised his hand, and swore the oath.

Up until that point he's just a potential recruit.  If the MEPS doctor denied him entry into the Navy then it means they merely sent him home and declared him unfit for service.

When you say ship-out that means he's completed boot camp, finished with all his Navy training, and is ready to board a ship for 6 months of Sea Duty.  I know these term may seem confusing at first.  We have several different options, depending upon what stage he was in the process.

Please send me a follow-up question (this time marked private, not public) and give me more details, like exactly where was he stationed when he came home, what city and state was he in when he joined, was the recruiter in the same city & state?, and what city & state was the MEPS.
This will help me understand so we can create a plan to help him.
Colonel H