Expert: Howard Lorenz - 6/30/2010

Question
I went to the Coast guard recruiter to inquire about enlisted in the the coast guard under active duty. The problem was I had mild Eczema as a flag (Please note the Eczema is barely evident and almost never flares up and it hasn't even been officially diagnosed as eczema). He said I would need a wavier but he was unwilling to give me any because of other minor disqualifying factors. I have mild pollen allergies that I don't need to take any prescription medication for and it barely flares up. I had childhood asthma which i never needed an inhaler for. I haven't had an attack since I was 12(23 now) and the doctors said the asthma was probably due to extremely high pollen counts. The last was minor experimentation with marijuana in high school that I have never used since.

He was unwilling to give me any kind of evaluation, and said I might have better luck with another military branch.

The recruiter said the real problem was the eczema and the wavier would be denied because of the little things. He also said the coast guard wasn't giving waivers because they are trying to downsize and are asking people to 'voluntarily' be laid off.

My overall question would be: Is there any way for me to get past the eczema wavier? It's not contagious and it isn't chronic since it goes away. I really wish to serve in the coast guard, and I feel cheated that I am unable to because I was born with some allergies and dry skin.

Answer
Your biggest problem is that the military at present is finding reasons to get rid of folks because the economy is forcing those who wouldn't normally seek the military as an employment source. The Recruiting world now is a walking market where 5 years ago they had to basically bribe you get you in the office. They are using not only mild eczema as a disqualifyier, but sweaty palms as well...

It is true what he said about the downsizing. Its not just the coast guard eliminating folks, but the other services as well.... Its a hard world we live in right now....