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Joining the army after J pouch surgery

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 5/2/2009 5:06 PM (GMT 0)
So i've been trying to get into the army for the last 9 months after i got my Jpouch surgery. those of you who have been following know all about my issues and such and thanx for the support throughout. I finally heard back from the MCO and they will not waiver me for the d isease . i was confused by this answer being i no longer have the d isease so i went to my friends dad (20 years in the army finally retiring as a W5 served as a mechanic/drill seargant) he said i should go back and continue to see if there was a mistake in my paper work and was confused to why i even needed a waiver being i no longer have the d isease. I'm not going to quit because i got 1 no but it's looking pretty gloomy for me. any advice or thoughts or aid would be wonderful to have thanx again for all your comments throughout.   John   p.s. my friends dad is helping me to but he's not sure he can do much
Posted 5/2/2009 6:17 PM (GMT 0)
Please review the forum rules which you agreed to follow when you joined this forum. Thank you.

3. No posts that attack, insult, "flame", defame, or abuse members or non-members

Post Edited By Moderator (Judilyn) : 5/2/2009 4:04:30 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/2/2009 6:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hi John

I was initially so thrilled when I read the heading of your thread. I thought that finally you have got through and joining army.

Anyway, don't loose heart. There's always another day. I am sure you would cross the bridges. Cheer up.

 

Posted 5/2/2009 6:23 PM (GMT 0)

Joylu, I deleted your comment because the post you quoted didn't bear repeating; it has also been edited.

Post Edited By Moderator (Judilyn) : 5/2/2009 4:06:47 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/2/2009 7:21 PM (GMT 0)
no mudua i'm actually looking at going 81W which is a metal worker... my other choice was 19D which was a cav scout but that was only because 81W was filling up due to the crapty economy they have very high enlistment right now. which may be another reason i didn't get my waiver. either way my reason for joining the army are my own and i can try to explain but doubt you'll understand...i feel it is wat i'm ment to do. i have always thought about doing it from a very young age. i know it will give me great structure and focus in my life. i feel that it builds bonds between people who are enlisted that anyone on the outside will never understand. and finally i want to serve my country and put my very well toned skills to good use... maybe the army is not the way and thats why i wasn't accepted but i don't want to have to live with the regret of not doing everything to my ability to try and do something i feel so patiently about. i've missed out on alot in my life due to U.C. and i may miss out on another thing but i'm sick of hearing it was because i couldn't hack it due to U.C. thanx for the comment and i hope you understand a lil bit into my thinking


John
Posted 5/2/2009 9:13 PM (GMT 0)

Johnny K,

I sincerely admire you for your committment to the United States, and to yourself. I have been in the Air National Guard as a medic for 14 years. I have been full time for the past 4 years. I understand what you are going through. Luckily I got the awful disease after I was in for several years. I was granted a waiver that has to be renewed every 3 years. So at any time my good fortune could change.

As far as a career in the Army, I wouldn't write it off just yet. You are lucky that you are young, and very healthy at this point. I would tell you if you can't get a waiver now, that doesn't mean you won't some time in the future. I know that as medical technology improves, the military seems to be willing to accept a wider range of waiverable ailments. Just in my time in the military things that were disqualifying without question have become waiverable. The best thing you can do is stay in shape, further your education to possibly become an officer, and keep trying. Remember, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. I know we allow members to enlist up to their 35th birthday.

Good luck to you.

Posted 5/2/2009 9:15 PM (GMT 0)

I will not lower myself to say what I would like to mudua!

I understand Johnny.  As you know I am an retired Army wife.  My husband dedicated 20 years to the USARMY and therefore to keeping this wonderful country free for us all and our future children.  Only if you have lived/experienced some other countries living conditions, etc. do you really understand that one.  I am very sorry they turned you down.  Not sure of your recourse.  Who has been helping you?  Have you been working with a service organization such as DAV or Purple Heart - VFW - those who know what more you can do?  Seems to me there woudl be a way you could "waiver" the possibility of problem with your J pouch as not service related or something like that.  You no longer have UC but you have a potential problem (to the Army).  If there is nothing more you can do - please get an explanation that satisfies you and move on with your life.  There are other things you can do for this country - many out there    - seek them out.  By the way, my husband was a helicopter crew chief in Vietnam.  He never finished high school until the Army and what the Army did for him is unmeasurable!!

Best wishes, ElaineNY

Posted 5/2/2009 10:08 PM (GMT 0)
Johnny, I admire your civility and restraint in responding to a highly provocative post. Thank you for your maturity, and good luck with your goals.
Posted 5/5/2009 7:12 AM (GMT 0)
Hey johnny,
have you tried to contact anyone from the VFW to see if they could help at all. I just thought of this but you should write your congressman and explain to him/her what you are going through, they might be able to help. A congressman can get almost anything done!!! Try that and see what he says.
Emilie
Posted 5/5/2009 8:30 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Johnny,

Don't give up man. I'm 10 years in (6 Army) and have been fortunate enough so far not having gotten any static about having this. I have a good feeling my doctor is keeping a lot of it on the D/L for me but none the less don't give up. You COULD try the National Guard, I don't know if it is going to be any more help but sometimes you can work things out a little easier with them and then try and transfer active duty. I know a few people that were able to get around army rules by going through the NG then transfering onto or back onto Active Duty after a few years. Either way keep your head up and good luck. And as a side note as a Cav officer myself, thats the only way to go! Good luck man.
Posted 5/5/2009 3:28 PM (GMT 0)
Like I've said before, the Army (or any branch of the military), definitely isn't something I could ever imagine doing, but I respect and admire those that serve, so I hope you get your wish and are allowed to join! Keep trying!!!
Posted 5/5/2009 6:16 PM (GMT 0)
Good Luck Sir, With the job situation in Michigan right now a career in the military is a good idea.
Posted 9/25/2017 5:04 AM (GMT 0)
This thread is very old, but I have to know if it ever worked out for you? I'm 31, (UC 2000-2005. J Pouch 2005) and in 100% perfect health. No medication, normal bowel movements 1-2 daily. I was recently denied a waiver from both the Army National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command. I'm not giving up yet, I will try each branch with a different surgeon general until something changes. I've wanted to join the military since I was a teenager as well. I hope it worked out for you.
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