Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Medical Waiver Denied for Marines

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Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 7/5/2011


Question
Hello,
One of my ultimate dreams in life is to become a United States Marine. I was in the process for enlistment when I hit a snag with my medical record because I had stayed in the hospital for an extended time, six days. When I was eleven, six years ago, I had Guillian Bureau syndrome, a temporary syndrome with no permanent side effects and no known cause. The chances of this reoccurring for me are less than it occurring for someone who has never had it. I have continued playing sports and hunting. However, my medical waiver was denied. My recruiter is in the process of seeing what else we can do, but I wanted to seek answers myself. I would greatly appreciate any help you could offer me in resolving this issue, including perhaps alternative routes to getting into the Marine Corps, perhaps through the National Guard or other military branch.

Thank you so much,
Haley

Answer
Haley,
I'm very familiar with the syndrome as one of my family members had it.

Usually any disease before age 15 is not even considered, so you wouldn't have had to even admit to it.  But now that you have, there's no getting around it.

The reason the military disqualified you is because in about 5–10% of patients, they have one or more late relapses.  Since they can't predict if you're not one of the 5–10%, they just blanket reject everyone.  That saves them money on continued care and nowadays its all about money.

Have you considered Federal Civil Service?  They're in all the Services working right alongside military folks, even overseas, the only difference is they don't wear uniforms or carry weapons.  They have less stringent medical requirements.  It may be worth your while to check into it at: http://www.usajobs.gov/
Best of luck in whatever you choose, and thanks for wanting to serve your country in uniform.
Colonel H

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

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MARK A. HOWELL

Expertise

All military questions, any Service. 30 years experience & two Ph.D.'s. 4 times Base Commander. Worked with Army, Navy, USMC, USCG and several foreign military units. Veteran of Kosovo, Bosnia, Macedonia, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, and 10 civil wars in Africa.

Experience

Air Force Colonel with 30 years experience. Air Force Base Commander 4 times. Highly decorated.

Organizations
Org of Am Historians, Wild West History Assoc., Disabled American Veterans - Life Member, Am Motorcyclist Assoc. - Life Member, North Am Hunt Club - Life Member, NWTF - Life Member

Publications
Numerous book reviews published in the Journal of American History. Two books submitted for publication.

Education/Credentials
Ph.D. in military history, Columbus University (Summa Cum Laude) Ph.D. in history, Northfield University, London, England (Summa Cum Laude) Master of Arts degree in history, Marshall University, WV Bachelors degree, double-major in history and mathematics, Salem College, WV Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL

Awards and Honors
Legion of Merit Defense MSM MSM x 5 Joint Commendation Mdl AF Commendation Medal Army Commendation Mdl Joint Achievement Mdl AF Achievement Medal Outstanding Volunteer Mdl

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