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Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Will an ACL injury deny me from joining the Marines

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Expert: - 3/19/2010


Question
Hi,
My name is John, I am 17 years old and wanting to join the Marines. No one in my family that I know of is in the Marines so I wanted to be the first. back in February of 2008 I tore my ACL jumping off some bleachers at school. Later that month I had surgery done and I then went through all the Physical Therapy and all that stuff and I was also 350lbs. I had a bone graft put in, a small screw, and all my tendons reconnected so you could say reconstruction. A couple days ago I sent in my medical documents to get approved, I sent in the surgery summary (everything the doctor did) and a note from the doctor himself dated October 2009 that my knee is back to normal and that I can perform rigorous activates and full/regular duties. I want to become a Marine so bad and that it's my life long ambition, I have gotten in shape and slimmed down to 244 lbs and standing at 6'4" (still losing weight) is my knee going to deny me from becoming something I've always wanted to be? I can run with no problem, I can jump, and all kinds of stuff.

Answer
John:

 You are seriously beyond Marine Corps Height/Weight standards, no matter what you can, or cannot, do.  You are going to have difficulty in getting in, until you meet those standards.  The ACL will require a medical waiver and it's up to MEPS to grant that.  Have you talked to a recruiter?

Jason

Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard

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Jason Grabill

Expertise

Questions relating to US Marine Corps; rank, awards, uniforms, career choices. I can also help people spot and expose fakes (people pretending to be Marines or have awards they didn`t earn). Considering the Marines as a career? Or another branch, like the Air National Guard? Drop me a line. HOWever..know that I am NOT a recruiter. I can offer my expert opinion and advice, but can't (and won't) over rule what a recruiter says, they are the 'on duty' expert.

Experience

Infantry Rifleman, MOS 0311: 3 years. Marine Barracks Security (Marine Barracks, Annapolis, Maryland(not Embassy Duty): 3 years. Parachutist: MOS 9962: Got my wings in August of 1984. Intelligence Specialist: MOS 0231 10 years working as an Intelligence Analyst with a Fixed Wing Fighter Squadron, Force Service Support Group, and at Headquarters, Marine Corps. Field Radio Operator: MOS 2531. Served as a Platoon Sergeant in a Communications Platoon assigned to MEU Service Support Group 24 (Special Operations Capable). Did a hitch in the Army reserves as an 11B (Infantryman), 3 years. Finished out my career in the Air National Guard as a BioEnvironmental Engineer MOS 4B3X1, did that for a few years. I"ve been collecting and selling Marine Corps and other military uniforms, medals, and field gear since I was 8 years old.

Organizations
United States Marine Corps Logistical Company.

Publications
I was an Editorial writer for Marine Corps Times from 1998-2000.

Education/Credentials
Extensive library of research materials relating to uniforms, medals, and equipment of the military and the Marine Corps. 22 College credits, Community College of the Air Force. Certified Historical Interpreter.

Awards and Honors
Kosovo Campaign Medal w/1 star Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 4 stars. Numerous other unit awards. I was on duty on 9/11 at HQMC, near the Pentagon, and responded to that location to try and lend a hand if needed...

Past/Present Clients
United States Marine Corps Historical Company, Guardian Security and Investigations, lead Investigator for 'Stolen Valor' cases.

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