Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 10/2/2010

Question
Dear Mark;
I have tried for five years to become a commissioned officer in the Army. I am a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) and 3 classes away from obtaining my Masters of Science in Nursing Leadership and Education. I was enlisted for many years but when I got my RN in 2005 I began extending and extending my enlistment period in the hope that I could finally be commissioned. I was told I  could not extend anymore and that if I went ahead with my ETS date in November 2008, it would be easier to commission me. Now I am 51 years old, extremely healthy, work out daily, meet ht and wt requirements, and do not even take any medication for health problems. Just recently I was so hoping that it finally looked as if the commissioning was going to happen, but two years ago (2008) three years and two recruiters later, I was diagnosed with a superficial malignant melanoma and had it removed from my calf with no follow-up complications and all doctor notes provided contained positive statements and a future prognosis for no further or future complications. Now I am told that melanoma is not waiverable for five years, meaning I must wait another three more years! Is there another branch or something else I could do? I have 18 years in the service and was really looking forward to retiring in the military. Now I have nothing for retirement.

Answer
Lucinda,
I'm glad to hear you're healthy and have no more problems.

Your past medical problems are not the issue anymore.  The problem is you've exceeded the age limit.  Even with credit for your years of prior service you still exceed the limit.  And the Army is the most lenient of all the Services when it comes to age.

Colonel H