Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Can I join the Army with genital herpes

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Expert: - 4/3/2010


Question
Hello... I have a question.. Can I join the army with genital herpes.. I have been affected with this disease for 17 years.. should I tell them or just keep it a secret.. I really hope this mistake I made 17 years ago will not keep me from accomplishing my goals... Please Help.... Thanks..................

Answer
I'm going to cut and paste this quote from Army Regulation 40-501 paragraph 2-12.

(10) Current or history of genital infection or ulceration, including but not limited to herpes genitalis (054.11) or
condyloma acuminatum (078.11), if of sufficient severity to require frequent intervention or to interfere with normal function, is disqualifying.


So, if you don't have frequent outbreaks or it doesnt limit your functioning day to day, then you should be ok and able to serve. I strongly advise you NOT to lie on the paperwork. They will separate you from the military if they found out you lied under a fraudulent enlistment charge.  

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

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Aaron Shifferly

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I am currently an active duty Army Captain in the Military Police Field. I have been enlisted (Military Intelligence) and attended The United States Military Academy at West Point. I can answer questions related to the Army, posting, jobs, lifestyle, workings... pretty much anything you can throw at me with the exception of very specific recruting or medical questions. I have no expertise in what it takes to get in the military other than the fact that I, myself, joined at one point in time.

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I have experience in both deployed and garrision environments as a Military Police Officer.

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Bachelor of Science in Arabic and French from United States Military Academy at West Point.

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