Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 10/5/2010

Question
11 months ago I had a flare up with Crohns disease. In April I had a
surgery that removed a foot of the inflammed small intestine, and just as a
precautionary the surgeon gave me a temporary colostomy bag. Then in
June they went back in to reconnect the two ends so no more colostomy
bag. So now I am extremely healthy not on any medication, doctors can't
find any trace of Crohns disease in me, can eat and do anything I want.
My Mom had almost the same exact surgery as me, she didn't get the
temporary colostomy bag, and she hasn't had a relapse for almost
40years. I have been talking to a recruiter my Brothers recruiter about
enlisting in the Marine Corps and I told him about my past medical history
and he talked to every doctor at MEPS and I am very thankful for his
trying to get me in the Corps, but none of the doctors cleared me,  they
said it was because of the stress of the job it could cause a relapse, but
no one is immune to disease. I even told my recruiter that I would be
willing to sign some kind of document stating that the government can
stop my pay If I am medically discharged for Crohns disease. So my
questions are. Can MEPS really deny you without actually seeing you and
giving you an assessment on your condition or in my case past condition?
Should I just fill out a medical waiver and see if they will actually see me?
Would getting written consent from my doctor saying that I am more than
healthy enough to be in the military help? What else might be helpful in
being able to enlist? Is there any kind of medical document saying that the
government can stop pay if someone is medically discharged for
something that would normally disqualify them from being able to enlist in
the first place? All I know right now is that when there's a will there's a
way, and right now my will is extremely strong, and I want to do my part in
serving my country by being in the United States Marine Corps.

Answer
Taylor,
Crohn’s is a disqualifier for joining the military.  The reasoning behind this is that although Crohn's cannot be cured by surgery, it greatly alleviates the symptoms.  After the first surgery, Crohn's usually appears again along the scar tissue requiring another surgery within five years.   Also, Crohn's disease is associated with an increased risk of small bowel and colorectal cancer.

So bottom line, you might possibly cost the military a lot of money for your healthcare down the road, and they’re just not willing to take the risk.  Nowadays everything is about money, even the military.

So to answer your questions:

1.  Yes, MEPS can and will disqualify you without even examining you, based upon your medical history.

2.  The recruiter will not even waste time applying for a waiver when he knows what the answer will be.

3.  The MEPS doctors will not accept letters from civilian physicians.

4.  There’s really nothing else you can do.

5.  There is no form available requesting what you’ve suggested.  Believe me, they’d stop your pay anyway.

Have you considered government Civil Service?  They serve right alongside the military, even overseas.  The only difference is they don’t wear uniforms or carry weapons.  They’re a vital portion of our military system and we couldn’t operate without them.  As a base commander, my deputy is a Civil Service civilian.  He’s my day-to-day right hand man.  When I go off to war, he stays here and runs the base.  The best part is they do not have to pass a physical exam.  In encourage you to consider it.  You can check it out at:   http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/

Thanks for your patriotism,
Colonel H