Expert: John L - 3/29/2011

Question
Greetings,

My name is Daniel McMahan and I am a sophmore student at Texas Tech University. I am pursuing a bachelors degree in biology as well as an associates in mathematics. I plan to apply for dental school in two years. I feel that I am academically competitive (4.0 GPA, 54 college hours through CLEP testing) and I also posses work experience and extracurricular activities that have made me more competitive as well. I am writing you to ask you about the HPSP scholarship. It is my goal to apply and be accepted to one of these dental school scholarships (the branch granting the scholarship isn't as important as getting in). I would love the opportunity to serve in the military doing what I love. However, I was diagnosed with high blood pressure at the age of 18 and have since controlled it with medications. I am healthy and fit; I run marathons and have competed in two ironman distance triathlons. My diets is good as well. My condition is most likely genetic, and I will remain on medication (there are no other causes for it). I have contacted a few recruiters in my town and they tell me to contact another recruiter...I just can't seem to get any answers if I should even continue to hope that I may have a chance at being in the military. I'm assuming that waivers for a condition like this are rare? Would being in the Health Corps help my chances any of obtaining one (i.e. not being a navy seal, green beret, etc.)?

Thanks for your help. I really do appreciate your time,

Daniel McMahan
Lubbock, Texas

Answer
Usually, those who have to take maintainance drugs for high blood pressure would be disqualified for military service.  However, there may be waivers granted for those entering the medical services as specialty officers such as dental. I did ask one of my officer recruiters and she told me, it can heppen, but is unlikely unless the military service really needed that specialty.