Expert: Rod Powers - 5/25/2007

Question
I'm looking to join the Army Reserve and have recently discovered that I might have hypertension.  I'm consistently 150-155 over 80-85.  I have yet to see my health care provider to confirm and find out about treatments.  I have asked my recruiter, but he has stated we'll "cross that bridge when we get to it."

I would like to know what the process is for applying for a medical waiver for the United States Army is?

If I get to see my doctor and he finds I am hypertensive AND prescribes a treatment that WORKS, will I be able to apply for a waiver?  If so, what are the odds of getting one?

Does the Army allow recruits to use medication in BCT or AIT?

I greatly appreciate ANY information you can give me.  Feel free to email me any advice.

Answer
Hi James,

Medical Standards for enlistment (in any branch of the service) can be read at: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/intmedstandards.htm

As you can see from the section at: http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/intmedstandards/blvascular.htm an average of three tests which result in anything over 90/140 is potentially disqualifying. Any history of medication or required dietary control for hypertension is also disqualifying.

MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Command), does not belong to any of the branches. They are a "joint service." They use set, DOD standards (the ones listed at: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/intmedstandards.htm) to either qualify or disqualify people for military service.

Based on the information you have provided, MEPS will probably medically disqualify you.

When this happens, whether or not a medical waiver is considered is up the the specific branch you are trying to join. First and foremost, if you're disqualified, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of MEPS will make a recommendation was to whether or not he/she thinks your particular medical condition will significantly interfere with military training or military duties. In other words, the CMO makes a recommendation about whether or not he/she thinks a waiver should be approved.

When making such a recommendation, the CMO, using his/her medical education and experience, and knowledge of the requirements of Military service will consider the following:

1. Is the condition progressive?

2. Is the condition subject to aggravation by military service?

3. Will the condition preclude satisfactory completion of prescribed training and subsequent military duty?

4. Will the condition constitute an undue hazard to the examine or to others, particularly under combat conditions?

From that point, it's up to the branch you're trying to join. Each branch of the Military has the authority to approve or disapprove medical waivers, on their own. The first step will be the commanding officer of the recruiting squadron/company/division. He/she will decide on whether or not to submit the waiver request, through the chain-of-command, up to the chief medical officer of the service (Surgeon General's Office), who has the final approval/disapproval authority.

When making the decision as to whether or not to forward a waiver request, the recruiting commander uses several criteria, including, but not limited to:

(1) The recommendation of the CMO

(2) Is the recruit *EXCEPTIONALLY* qualified, otherwise? (ASVAB scores, etc.)

(3) How are current recruiting goals? How bad does that particular branch of the service need this particular applicant at this particular point-in-time?

There have been several cases of waivers approved for a specific condition, only to see a waiver disapproved for the same condition just a few weeks later.

If you have a medical condition, and the Military waivers it, they then become responsible for paying for the treatment of that condition as long as you are in the military (and -- if you retire) for the rest of your life. Additionally, under current law, even if you don't retire, if you can show that the condition was aggrevated (made worse) during your service in the Military, the Veteran's Administration may have to provide disability payments and/or medical care to you for the rest of your life.

This is one of the reasons why the medical waiver process can be so complex.

Assuming a medical waiver is granted, if you are under prescription medication for hypertension, when you arrive at basic training, you (and your prescription) will be referred to a military medical doctor, within your first day (or two) of basic training. The doctor will examine your medical records (and prescription) and determine if it's medically necessary to continue it (in the case of hypertension, that's almost a given).

If the Military medical doctor determines that your prescription is necessary, your medication will be taken from you, and you will be re-issued a prescription from the Military pharmacy (this is just to make sure you're not sneaking in illegal drugs, under the guise of a prescription).

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my U.S. Military information site at: http://usmilitary.about.com

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com