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Question
QUESTION: My son had his Thyroid removed and he takes daily medication now. Will this disqualify him from all branches of the military?
ANSWER: Hi Janet,
I'm afraid it most likely is disqualifying. For details, see: http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/subdtymedical/blendocrine.htm.
However, it's *possible* that a medical waiver could be considered. For details see: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/medicalwaiver.htm.
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
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: If he recieves a perminant diqualification can he resubmit the request for a waiver at a later time...say in a year or two?
Hi Janet,
MEPS physicals are valid and are held on file for two years. After that, it's possible he could apply again, but it's not going to change anything as far as the overall DOD standards are concerned. He would likely still be disqualified.
As to whether or not a waiver would be considered, that depends on several factors, including the particular recruiting needs of the service he is trying to join.
I'm not a doctor, and I don't know anything about thyroid conditions. However, if he is required to take daily prescription medication, the chances of a waiver are not great. Why? Because during many combat deployments, prescription medication is simply not readily available.
So, if not having access to this daily medication would result in a life-threatening, or serious health condition, the chances of a medical waiver being approved are not very good, in my experience.
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
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Answers by Expert:
Rod Powers
Expertise
Rod Powers is considered one of the premire experts about U.S. Military career information on the planet. He has more than 30,000 articles about U.S. Military career information on the About.com U.S. Military Careers Information website at: http://usmilitary.about.com. Additionally, he is the author of "ASVAB for Dummies," "ASVAB AFQT for Dummies," (available in Dec 2009), and "Veteran Benefits for Dummies," all published by Wiley Publishing. He is also the author of "Barrons' Guide to Officer Candidate School Tests," published by Barron's Educational Series.
Experience
Rod Powers is a retired Air Force first sergeant, with 23 years of active duty service, 11 of those years as an Air Force First Sergeant. He has helped thousands of military members, recruits, and military applicants since he took over the About.com U.S Military Careers Information site in 1999. He has a reputation for "telling it like it is," so questions may not be answered based on "what you want to hear," but will be answered based of the bast available information, concerning the service/situation.
Education/Credentials
Rod is a distinguished graduate of the Air Force Noncommissioned Officers Academy, the Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, and the Air Force First Sergeant Academy. He also holds an Associates Degree in Personnel Administration from the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF).
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