Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 10/3/2010

Question
I have been reading your past posts regarding medical pasts, and I have a few
follow-up questions that I hope you can answer.

In 2006 I was diagnosed with Thyroid cancer.  That will have been 5 years ago
in either April or May, and since now my thyroid has been removed, I would
be considered hypothyroid.  I DO take medication every day to make up for
those lost hormones, so it is literally the only thing that has effected me since
the diagnosis, surgery, and treatment.

My concern now is that I may not be permitted to join the Navy.  I will be
graduating from college in December, and I want nothing more that to join
the US Navy and go to OCS to become a commissioned officer.

I have read several posts concerning many of these issues but I was hoping
you could put my fears to rest and assuage my restlessness.

1.  Cancer free for 5 years as of May 2011
2.  Medication to make up for no thyroid
3.  Graduating in December

So my concerns really are:  Is it a realistic goal to think about going to OCS?  
It's something that I'd really love to do, and it makes me ill to think that my
brush with cancer will halt my progress.  I am otherwise a healthy 22-year-
old.  Also--do you think that I will need to wait until I have officially passed
my "5 year date" to get started on my application package?  Couldn't I start
assembling it and take the ATSB and get the ball rolling in the right direction?

And one more:  I read that air force OTS doesn't allow medication or
something along those lines...........will it disqualify me if I have to take my
thyroid replacement meds during OCS?


I truly appreciate any insight you have on this issue.  The Navy is really
something that I have committed to doing, and I know that OCS is the place
for me.  

Thank you.

Answer
Emily,
Congratulations on your upcoming graduation!

Don't worry, Hypothyroidism is not a disqualification.  Only if it is not controlled by medication would it be disqualifying.  After you arrive at OCS you'll get the chance to visit a Navy doctor and have him rewrite your prescription.  Only then can you have prescription medicaion in your OCS room.

Start getting prepared for OCS.  There's a good video at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BK95aub-qy8

Google "Navy OCS" and you'll find several more good ones.

Thanks for wanting to join the Navy.

Colonel H