Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 4/17/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
 My name is John I am 17 years of age and I am trying to enlist in the Marine Corps. Everything is ok it's just for my medical documents that have been sent off for review and I'm a bit worried if they'll accept me. The problem is that my left knee took a hit in football in my sophomore year of high school, I had tore my ACL and the doctor who did my surgery reconstructed my knee. He reconnected my ACL, made a graft from one of my tendons he put in one screw and he ran the graft from my tibia to my femur to help secure my knee. I have completed my physical therapy a long time ago and I have no problems with it. I have ran countless miles and have done a lot of hard activates, I am just looking for an answer that could tell me if it is all in my favor and that I will achieve my life long ambition to become a Marine. I also have doctor's note that says I have been cleared to do rigorous training. They tell me that I won't receive an answer until a week from now but I just want to know already.

ANSWER: John,
Here's what the military medical regulations have to say:
You may be disqualified if:
1.  Any loose or foreign bodies remain within the knee joint.
2.  Your anterior or posterior cruciate ligament injury remains uncorrected.
3.  Physical findings of an unstable or internally deranged joint.
4.  Surgical correction of any knee ligaments if symptomatic or unstable.

You have no problem with the first 3.  It's #4 that bothers me.  Does that mean you're disqualified because you've had surgery?  or does it mean your surgery didn't work and it's still unstable and bothering you?

I asked my military doctor friend who believes you'll have no problem.  If however, the MEPS doctor doesn't agree, you can apply for an individual waiver based upon your doctor's note.

Either way, I'll bet you'll be a grunt soon!
Thanks for wanting to serve your country in uniform.
Colonel H

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I got in, I was so worried about it but nothing was wrong. I turned in my medical paperwork the day I went to the recruiter and the next day I got approved. I am now in the DEP for the USMC and I ship November 1st, thanks for the reassurance I really appreciate it.

Answer
John,

EXCELLENT!

Thanks for keeping me informed.  I love to hear success stories.

1 November will be here before you know it.  You'll soon be in either South Carolina (if you live in the eastern half of the U.S.# or San Diego #if you live in the western half of the U.S.).

I encourage to learn all you can before leaving.  Check out websites like:
marinebootcamp.net/
prepareforbootcamp.com/
wesclark.com/am/recruit_survival_tactics.html

Remember, the goal of Boot Camp is to tear you down and be rebuilt the Marine Corps way.
If you can smile and shrug it off and don't let it get to you you'll do great.  After Boot Camp you'll be back in the real world.  It's only 13 weeks long.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Colonel H