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Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/High Blood Pressure+ Airforce=?
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Question
Hi, i am 17 years old and will be 18 may 13th of this year...i wanted to join the AIRFORCE but as i was talking to my recruiter high blood pressure was brought up... i was on HBP medicine for over 2 years now but because i want to become a future airmen i asked my doctors to monitor me without me taking HBP..my recruiter told me that there was a slim chance of me joining because of this condition i have been off the meds for about 4 weeks now and my blood pressure seems fine only thing is docs haven't given me the all clear on me being PERMANENTLY off the meds...i was wondering with your knowledge if there are anyways around this? are there any waivers available by any chance? the recruiter said something about waiting 1 year but he didn't get into much detail but yea that what i was just wondering if you could answer my question to the best ability
HBP is a disqualifier if it is too high. I run into this problem many times. The problem is you have to be off the medication for at least 180 days with a normal BP. Seems odd that you at a young age would have HBP, another reason the red flags were thrown up. For entry level purposes there is no way around nor are there are any waivers for that.
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Answers by Expert:
Howard Lorenz
Expertise
I have spent the past 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, 3 years was assigned as an Enlisted Accessions Recruiter. I have been deployed various times to several locations. If it is a career in the military you are looking for or thinking about I most likely have the answer. I still have contacts with in the recruiting field and if I don't know the answer then I have folks who do where I can find the answer. I am very blunt and straight forward and will make no attempts to BS you. I will give you the best information that I possible can can. If you think that you cant handle the answer that I give you, then don't ask the question...... If you are planning on joining the military, your number 1 decision factor in making this kind of move is that you need to be more concerned about serving your country than your country serving you!! All the benefits are the best that you can find. Education is at a premium right now and its the most rewarding thing that you can do. If I dont answer right away probably means that I am busy, but have patience, I will get to you.
Experience
Air Force Recruiter for 3 years, Air Force Career 21 Years
Organizations
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Education/Credentials
Community College of the Air Force, International Air Academy, Allied Business Schools, Embry Riddle Aeronautical College, Defense Acquisition University
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