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Can i join the Air Force or any other military branch with UC?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 5/8/2014 1:52 AM (GMT 0)
I've had ulcerative colitis for 5 years and i haven't had any issues since i first discovered it and i have been off medicine for 4 years now. I have been looking to join the military and i am very interested in the Air Force. I was wondering if they would still let me enlist or if i could get it wavered since i've been in remission for so long? or would any other branch let me enlist?
Posted 5/8/2014 1:57 AM (GMT 0)
I'm no pro, but I'm pretty sure it's a no. They won't be able to risk having you in the middle of somewhere and run out of meds. Military exercises don't always follow proper schedule, you could lose your meds and be unable to access new ones, then you become a liability to your unit. Off medication or not, you could flare tomorrow.
Posted 5/8/2014 1:59 AM (GMT 0)
but will it matter since i don't need to take medication anymore? i haven't taken medicine for it for 4 years now and i have been fine.
Posted 5/8/2014 2:03 AM (GMT 0)
Id dispute my original diagnoses first since you have had no meds for 4 years so that sounds very transient.. not true UC. YOu are unlikely to get in any branch if you cant get it taken off.
Posted 5/8/2014 2:08 AM (GMT 0)
Good point PK, trying to get the diagnosis withdrawn. I think with UC on your record, med free or not, they won't risk you going in to a flare while assigned out.
Posted 5/8/2014 2:08 AM (GMT 0)
Who knows, maybe you'd get lucky and get in.

Tell them you want to be the cook.

-Nah, Nah, dude. I don't wanna shoot nobody.
-I just wanna cook dem gluten free hamburgers.
Posted 5/8/2014 2:10 AM (GMT 0)
Regardless of MOC (military occupation code) you have the same medical requirements. Soldier first, trade second is what they say tongue
Posted 5/8/2014 2:13 AM (GMT 0)

toomuchpoopin said...
Soldier first, trade second is what they say tongue

word, once the enemy comes in the kitchen, you pull out the uzi 9mm out of the chicken soup pot.
Posted 5/8/2014 2:25 AM (GMT 0)

Somedude said...

toomuchpoopin said...
Soldier first, trade second is what they say tongue

word, once the enemy comes in the kitchen, you pull out the uzi 9mm out of the chicken soup pot.

Hee hee hee. Nice.
Posted 5/8/2014 2:26 AM (GMT 0)
I was in the Military when I got diagnosed. I got out on my own at the end of my fist contract. Latter on they were offering bonuses to get back in former military already trained in some trades which my was listed (dental assistant).

Since I was already trained and never had bad flares ( only 2 and did not missed a day of work because of it) and hadn't had flare for years I thought I had a chance, because they were realy out of people in my trade. Well nop ! I couldn't get back in.

I would do as PK said, I believe it's your only chance.
Posted 5/8/2014 2:33 AM (GMT 0)
Military regulations are dumb. I once stumbled upon a list of things that can disqualify you from joining the military, There were some RIDICULOUS stuff on there.

The point being that it's sort of weird that they have no problem sending a perfectly healthy soldier to get blown up going back and forth patrolling a street full of improvised bombs, but sending a semi healthy or almost perfectly healthy soldier to do the exact same thing is unacceptable.
Posted 5/8/2014 4:03 AM (GMT 0)
Duh dude, they're trying to rid of the healthy cause the sick are gonna die anyway or not make pharma the big bucks — at least in their eyes. am i right?
Posted 5/8/2014 4:48 AM (GMT 0)
Part of it is that they don't want to take the chance that a pre-existing condition of some sort will worsen and be classified as "service connected." This then obligates the military and VA hospitals to provide care for that condition for the rest of your life. Since they seem to not have enough funding to provide totally adequate care to people wounded in battle sometimes, they want to keep the known risk down.
Posted 5/8/2014 5:40 AM (GMT 0)
If you're a liability, they won't take you. Doesn't matter if you've been in solid remission for years, or off your meds (which sounds odd, I'd think you would flare at least once), you probably won't qualify.
Posted 5/8/2014 11:26 AM (GMT 0)
You could cook your records and say you had an "intermittent" illness that necessitated medications as PK said, with a doctor verifying it. Frankly, I don't think they would see you as a liability. Military were on a campaign to recruit like mad a while back ago and they would have taken anyone with a "clean" doctor's bill of health. I don't know now given the funding.
Posted 5/8/2014 12:44 PM (GMT 0)
What meds had you taken before which put you into remission? Unfortunately UC can rear it's ugly head at any time, even if you have been in a solid remission for four years. The next flare could very easily not be treated as well as the first time. That happens often.
Posted 5/8/2014 10:22 PM (GMT 0)
Judy2 just FYI they don't take care of you for the rest of your life. Even if you are wounded on duty... Bad isn't ? We all believe that but it is not the case. They take care of you until you are fine to be kicked out. They say no longer fit for military duties but yes we will pay for a training you could do in the civil live and good bye !
Posted 5/8/2014 10:36 PM (GMT 0)
Right, but any ongoing consequences of the service-related problem can be treated at the VA hospital system for life. That can represent a substantial cost also.
Posted 5/9/2014 3:00 AM (GMT 0)
Judy, yes you are right.
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