Expert: Howard Lorenz - 12/19/2007

Question
I am writing as a last resort.  I am a 21 year old female.  I graduated high school, I spent the past 3 years at a well known university.  I really want to join the military for both personal and career related reasons.  I have no criminal history and no medical problems.  I can easily ace the ASVAB.  I got a 1300 on my SAT without ever studying and scored in the top 15th percentile in the pre qualifying test the recruiter gives you.  The only problem is that I had gastric bypass in 2003.  It has been almost 5 years.  I have went to my surgeon who is internationally known, and one of the best of his kind, at least twice a year for check ups.  The possible complications of this surgery are nutrient deficiency since the body does not absorb things in the same way and complications during the surgery.  I had absolutely no complications during the surgery and was walking 3 hours out of it.  This is all documented in the hospital report.  I have had numerous in depth tests run which all come out to be perfect.  My current labs are perfect.  I have submitted all of this, with my progress notes which date back 5 years, current labs, and a statement from my surgeon that says I made a full recovery and this surgery in no way affects my physical abilities.  However after all this work I am still having a hard time trying to enter the military.  I tried the Navy and am still waiting on a response from the Air Force.  The Army even turned me down!  They take felons! Is there anyone who can help me or I can speak to?  Or is there any other documents I can get that might help?  The recruiters who have been working with me have been absolutely horrible!  This is something I really want to do and I feel as though I am a great applicant for the military.  I am shocked at how this process has been going.  I would greatly appreciate any advice or help you could offer.

Thank You

Answer
Hi Shannon,

I feel you pain. Unfortunately the regulations that oversee entry to the military were written back we didnt have the medical technology that we do today. The DoD doesent see that they have a need for revision. Most recrutiers are too stupid or have no back bone to stand up and pressure the system to get folks like you in the military. I always did. I didnt win most of the time, but there were instances where I got some one thru. Its the decision of the chief medical officer to get you in. Most of the CMO's today dont have ....Pardin the expression....Dont have to balls to hake a chance, all they see is on whats on black & white in the regulation.

There are other ways that you can serve your country with out being in the military. You have the Department of Homland Secruity, FBI, the Drug Enforcement Authority, Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms...all of which are Federal Service.

Keep pressuring them to work for you. But they will only do what they can.

HW