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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 9/16/2013 12:31 AM (GMT 0)
hey guys I have had ulcerative colitis for 4 years now im 19 years old and going in for surgery to get the j pouch I have always wanted to join the army every since I was a kid and I tried to many times but denied because of the colitis when I get the surgery and I recover I want to join but I might not bring it up if I feel good if anyone has any facts or is in the same situation as me let me know you can email me I would like to chat

[email protected]

Posted 9/16/2013 12:38 AM (GMT 0)
I do not have military experience and I don't know about having a jpouch in the army.

However, the jpouch surgery is very major and you should not start off your military service with a lie. That seems like it can be something that comes back to haunt you. It's not like you can claim that you didn't know about it.
Posted 9/16/2013 12:59 AM (GMT 0)
Call an army recruiter and ask. You can say "a friend" wants to know!
Posted 9/16/2013 1:07 AM (GMT 0)
There's at least one person in the US military on j-pouch.org, I'm not sure which branch. I would ask there, there aren't many people with j-pouches who post here.
Posted 9/16/2013 1:44 AM (GMT 0)
Unfortunately you still have to go to the bathroom several times per day (at least 6) with a pouch. I know how much you want to do this but you are going to have to live with the fact that the services are not for you. There are complications with the pouch from time to time so it is only a matter of time before they would find out the truth. You would be better off using your time to find something you can do instead of going down a path which will probably sooner rather than later, be a dead end. I really don't see how it could possibly work out being in the service and having to go 6-9 times per day. You wouldn't even be able to get through boot camp.
Posted 9/16/2013 1:57 AM (GMT 0)
Garylouisville- I dont know about a jpouch (tho I assume it is the same as with my ileo) but you really do NOT go to the bathroom any mire without a colon than you do with. You do two-fers more often but you go to the bathroom no more really.
Posted 9/16/2013 6:45 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Bud,

I did 6 years in the Marine Corps and did 4 deployments overseas. I got out of active duty in 2010, it was during my last DET in Afghanistan when I was diagnosed with UC. I still have been able to do the reserves but unfortunately I will not be able to re-enlist due to UC and injuries I sustained in a motorcycle accident this year.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news and I hope I am wrong in this instance (if the army is a dream if yours) but, if you've already been diagnosed with UC and opt for the surgery usually you can try to persuade (with the backing of your command) to let you stay in (depending on how bad you suffer from the disease). They might switch to something like admin and put you on a non-deployable status. I've also read that if diagnosed with UC and if you have not had any symptoms in over a year you can go in. Usually though anything involving major life-altering surgery of any kind is a disqualifier. Not because you cannot handle any of the training but because the military does not want to be held liable if anything happens, also the disability compensation that follows. I have also heard of people signing waivers on certain medical conditions relieving the military of any future responsibility.

My point is, while I do know UC is a disqualifier the j-pouch is an interesting thing. I still think that's a disqualifier but you never know. Also, keep in mind 99% of people don't know what UC is let alone surgeries that are undergone to get rid of it. Things are on a case by case basis depending on the recruiter.

A close buddy of mine just finished a tour of recruiting duty out of Tallahassee, Florida so I'll ask him and check back in for you. Either way talk to a recruiter over the phone. Good luck.

Post Edited (Rabbit81586) : 9/16/2013 12:49:35 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/16/2013 12:23 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know much about army rules as far as medical things go....I do know there a quite a few that keep people from being able to join but if you get a j pouch and resume your health again I don't see why it would be a problem. You wouldn't be sick anymore. But yeah, you'll have to ask them directly and I certainly wouldn't keep it secret. You have to be honest about something like that. Good luck!
Posted 9/16/2013 1:56 PM (GMT 0)
"Unfortunately you still have to go to the bathroom several times per day (at least 6) with a pouch. I know how much you want to do this but you are going to have to live with the fact that the services are not for you. There are complications with the pouch from time to time so it is only a matter of time before they would find out the truth. You would be better off using your time to find something you can do instead of going down a path which will probably sooner rather than later, be a dead end. I really don't see how it could possibly work out being in the service and having to go 6-9 times per day. You wouldn't even be able to get through boot camp."

I just love it when some forum members feel it's their duty to state facts and absolutes that they have no experience with, especially when there are very few absolutes in this world -

idiot -

Posted 9/16/2013 2:02 PM (GMT 0)
So my buddy got back to me and here's his exact response

"It would definitely be a beumed and more than likely you would not be allowed to enlist"

Again, that's one recruiter. I would certainly not be completely dissuaded and talk to a recruiter. Beumed, is the military medical board which would review your case and ultimately make the decision. Good luck!
Posted 9/16/2013 4:12 PM (GMT 0)
yeah... soystud I wouldn't use such strong words but I agree... My pouch is six weeks old and I only go 5-6 times per day. Some people only go 2-3 times. There are no guarantees that you'll end up with such a nicely behaving pouch but it's certainly possible. It seems to me that since there are women in the army then they have to be given bathroom breaks to actually use a toilet and that's all you would need.
Posted 9/16/2013 4:15 PM (GMT 0)
"My pouch is six weeks old and I only go 5-6 times per day. Some people only go 2-3 times."

Some only go 2-3 times with the pouch? daaaymm son, it's better than my colon when I was healthy years ago. lol

Give me some contacts so I can be asking bout it.
Posted 9/16/2013 4:18 PM (GMT 0)
It's like this.

The Army wants a perfectly healthy specimen so that they can make you run over a mine so you lose a limb and have to take meds for the rest of your life.

If you're healthy, but have a pouch, well you're not qualified to run over the mine.


--------------------------------------------

In 1944 Stalingrad, you'd be on the front lines even if you were missing an eye or an arm.
Posted 9/18/2013 4:40 PM (GMT 0)
There are things called "physicals" and even thinking that you could just not tell them shows you have not thought about this at a very realistic level.

You will be missing a major organ. I assume people can enlist w/o tonsils or appendix. I doubt someone with one kidney could enlist. You would need to ask where missing a colon falls on the spectrum. I don't think you can enlist.
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