Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Medical disqualification

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Expert: Howard Lorenz - 12/7/2007


Question
My daughter is in the recuiting process for the Navy and has had a liproscopic gastric bypass weight loss surgery over a year ago. We're confused whether this procedure is a disqualification being we've been told by her doctor that he has patients in which the disqualification was waived with a letter of approval by himself. However we've also been told by 2 requiters that this surgery is a immediate disqualifier. She's 5'4 119lbs with 20% body fat, has very minimal scaring, blood work tests are above average and physicals show she's perfectly healthy. Is there any hope that she can pass the military physical?

Answer
The regulations that govern the recruiting policies for the Department of Defense are so out dated that they do not allow for these types of surgeries. I ran into this problem several times. What I would do is get this letter from the doc and see it the military will bite on it. You have to find a recruiter that will be willing to submit the medical records to the MEPS to have the Chief Medical Officer look at them. Most recruiters will not take the time to do this, becasue they are given a list of "Diasqualifiers" and they go by that. Have the ric send the medical documentation to the CMO with the letter from her current doc. sometimes they would be amazed what they will allow if they would just do the steps...

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

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Howard Lorenz

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I have spent the past 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, 3 years was assigned as an Enlisted Accessions Recruiter. I have been deployed various times to several locations. If it is a career in the military you are looking for or thinking about I most likely have the answer. I still have contacts with in the recruiting field and if I don't know the answer then I have folks who do where I can find the answer. I am very blunt and straight forward and will make no attempts to BS you. I will give you the best information that I possible can can. If you think that you cant handle the answer that I give you, then don't ask the question...... If you are planning on joining the military, your number 1 decision factor in making this kind of move is that you need to be more concerned about serving your country than your country serving you!! All the benefits are the best that you can find. Education is at a premium right now and its the most rewarding thing that you can do. If I dont answer right away probably means that I am busy, but have patience, I will get to you.

Experience

Air Force Recruiter for 3 years, Air Force Career 21 Years

Organizations
Veterans of Foreign Wars

Education/Credentials
Community College of the Air Force, International Air Academy, Allied Business Schools, Embry Riddle Aeronautical College, Defense Acquisition University

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