NationStates Jolt Archive

I need your help in finding what health conditions can get you barred from military service (combat).

I would like info ranging from the obvious, like heart trouble and blindness, to the more obscure conditions, like syndromes and disorders both physical and mental.

I've tried looking for hours but I don't know how to refine the search since my knowledge in military terminology is too limited.

Any help is appreciated.

US Military, is it?
I can only tell you for the Bundeswehr...

May I ask why?

Any condition that can impair you from consistent and high levels of athletic performance can bar you from entry. I know that is vague, but it is a pretty basic definition that covers most of military concerns. Conditions as simple as jaw problems can bar you, because they can require medical treatment which hamper operations at the front lines, because it requires soldiers to leave operations and move to the back to recieve treatment. Going into specifics would take pages upon pages. Your best bet, if you are interested in joining, is to deny that you have any problems at all. The only way to truly know if they will impair you is to go in and try. If they hold you back, you will simply be discharged from training.

If I could find my contract(where the bloody hell is it? Its around here someplace...), I would give you the main points, because I have a copy of the medical questionare. Chances are, if you are worried, you probably can't get in. Lord knows I wasn't 100% truthful.

Edit: One tricky one: Braces. If you have them, gotta wait for them to be out.

Shouldn't they say it on their website?

Any condition that can impair you from consistent and high levels of athletic performance can bar you from entry. I know that is vague, but it is a pretty basic definition that covers most of military concerns. Conditions as simple as jaw problems can bar you, because they can require medical treatment which hamper operations at the front lines, because it requires soldiers to leave operations and move to the back to recieve treatment. Going into specifics would take pages upon pages. Your best bet, if you are interested in joining, is to deny that you have any problems at all. The only way to truly know if they will impair you is to go in and try. If they hold you back, you will simply be discharged from training.
Judging from his post and his Sig, I'm assuming he WANTS to be barred, or is finding the info for someone else with the same wants.

oh, i know! homosexuality!

someday they'll find a cure...:rolleyes:

I need your help in finding what health conditions can get you barred from military service (combat).

I would like info ranging from the obvious, like heart trouble and blindness, to the more obscure conditions, like syndromes and disorders both physical and mental.

I've tried looking for hours but I don't know how to refine the search since my knowledge in military terminology is too limited.

Any help is appreciated.
Change your name to Dick Cheney? :p

oh, i know! homosexuality!

someday they'll find a cure...:rolleyes:
Homosexuality.

Medical Questions

Have you ever had:

1. Asthma, wheezing, or inhaler use
2. Dislocated joint, including knee, hip, shoulder, elbow, ankle or other joint
3. Epilepsy, fits, seizures, or convulsions
4. Sleepwalking
5. Recurrent neck or back pain
6. Rheumatic fever
7. Foot pain
8. A swollen, painful, or dislocated joint or fluid in a joint (knee, shoulder, wrist, elbow, etc.)
9. Double vision
10. Periods of unconsciousness
11. Frequent or severe headaches causing loss of time from work or school or taking medication to prevent frequent or severe headaches
12. Wear contact lenses (If so, bring your contact lens kit and solution so you can remove your contact when we test your vision at the MEPS; also, if you have a pair of eyeglasses, bring them with you no matter how old they are.)
13. Fainting spells or passing out
14. Head injury, including skull fracture, resulting in concussion, loss of consciousness, headaches, etc.
15. Back surgery
16. Seen a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, counselor or other professional for any reason (inpatient or outpatient) including counseling or treatment for school, adjustment, family, marriage or any other problem, to include depression, or treatment for alcohol, drug or substance abuse
17. Any of the following skin diseases:
Eczema

Psoriasis

Atopic dermatitis

18. Irregular heartbeat, including abnormally rapid or slow heart rates
19. Allergic to bee, wasp, or other insect stings (itching/swelling all over and/or get short of breath)
20. Heart murmur, valve problem or mitral valve prolapse
21. Allergic to wool
22. Heart surgery
23. Been rejected for military service (temporary or permanent) for medical or other reasons
24. Any other heart problems
25. High blood pressure
26. Discharged from military service for medical reasons
27. Ulcer (stomach, duodenum or other part of intestine)
28. Received disability compensation for an injury or other medical condition
29. Hepatitis (liver infection or inflammation)
30. Intestinal obstruction (locked bowels), or any other chronic or recurrent intestinal problem, including small intestine or colon problems, such as Crohn's disease or colitis
31. Detached retina or surgery for a detached retina
32. Surgery to remove a portion of the intestine (other than the appendix)
33. Any other eye condition, injury or surgery
34. Are you over 40? (If so, call the MEPS for information on special requirements for over-40 physicals)
35. Gall bladder trouble or gall stones
36. Jaundice
37. Missing a kidney
38. Allergy to common food (milk, bread, eggs, meat, fish or other common food)
39. (Females only) Abnormal PAP smear or gynecological problem
40. (Males only) Missing a testicle, testicular implant, or undescended testicle
41. Broken bone requiring surgery to repair (with or without pins, plates, screws or other metal fixation devices used in repair)
42. Ruptured or bulging disk in your back or surgery for a ruptured or bulging disk
43. Thyroid condition or take medication for your thyroid
44. Limitation of motion of any joint, including knee, shoulder, wrist, elbow, hip or other joint
45. Drug or alcohol rehab
46. Kidney, urinary tract or bladder problems, surgery, stones or other urinary tract problems
47. Sugar, protein or blood in urine
48. Surgery on a bone or joint (knee, shoulder, elbow, wrist, etc.) including Arthroscopy with normal findings
49. Taking any medications
50. Pain or swelling at the site of an old fracture
51. Perforated ear drum or tubes in ear drum(s)
52. Anemia
53. Ear surgery, to include mastoidectomy or repair of perforated ear drum, hearing loss or need/use a hearing aid
54. Night blindness
55. Arthritis
56. Absence or disturbance of the sense of smell
57. Absence or removal of the spleen, or rupture or tear of the spleen without removal
58. Anorexia or other eating disorder
59. Cracked bone or fracture(s)
60. Bursitis
61. Braces (If you wear or are planning on obtaining braces for your teeth, have the orthodontist submit a letter stating that braces will be removed before active duty date; release form and sample format can be found in the Recruiter's Medical Guide.)
62. Loss of finger, toe or part thereof
63. Loss of the ability to fully flex (bend) or fully extend a finger, toe or other joint
64. Shoulder, knee, or elbow problem (out of place)
65. Locking of the knee or other joint
66. Giving way of knee or other joint
67. Cataracts or surgery for cataracts
68. Eye surgery, including radial keratotomy, lens implant or other eye surgery to improve your vision
69. Collapsed lung or other lung condition
70. Bed wetting since age 12
71. Evaluation, treatment, or hospitalization for alcohol abuse, dependence, or addiction
72. Taken medication, drugs, or any substance to improve attention, behavior, or physical performance
73. Do you smoke? If yes:
Type: Cigarettes - Cigars - Smokeless tobacco

How many per day?

74. Evaluation, treatment, or hospitalization for substance use, abuse, addiction or dependence (including illegal drugs, prescription medications, or other substances)
75. Any illnesses, surgery, or hospitalization not listed above

That cant be right.
Plenty of Asthmatics serve.
Bone Fractures???

They're just the questions asked not what will nescessarily prevent one from getting into the military. Bone fractures will only limit one from being in certain divisions as far as I know.

They're just the questions asked not what will nescessarily prevent one from getting into the military. Bone fractures will only limit one from being in certain divisions as far as I know.
Divisions like 1st Armour or 82 Airbourne or do you mean Branches like Dentistry or Electrician or Grunt?

Divisions like 1st Armour or 82 Airbourne or do you mean Branches like Dentistry or Electrician or Grunt?

It entirely depends upon individual requirements for each division I guess. I don't imagine somebody with asthma becoming a Navy Seal, but I've never personally tried. My boyfriend however, tried to get into a certain division (which I can't remember the name of right now unfortunately) and was told he couldn't due to a knee injury in high school.

This might help.

http://www.military.com/Recruiting/Content/0,13898,rec_step07_splash,,00.html

They're just the questions asked not what will nescessarily prevent one from getting into the military. Bone fractures will only limit one from being in certain divisions as far as I know.


Yah, you can actually have a few of those, but if you have enough, or if they are/were serious enough, then they won't let you in.

meps.. bah, that was fun!

It entirely depends upon individual requirements for each division I guess. I don't imagine somebody with asthma becoming a Navy Seal, but I've never personally tried. My boyfriend however, tried to get into a certain division (which I can't remember the name of right now unfortunately) and was told he couldn't due to a knee injury in high school.

This might help.

http://www.military.com/Recruiting/Content/0,13898,rec_step07_splash,,00.html
So you mean the larger Military Formation known as the Division after a Brigade and before the Corps?

Corps is also the name for each respective Army organisation....
Artillary Corps
Armoured Corps
Medical Corps
Electrical Corps

So you mean the larger Military Formation known as the Division after a Brigade and before the Corps?

Corps is also the name for each respective Army organisation....
Artillary Corps
Armoured Corps
Medical Corps
Electrical Corps

Oh. Ok. My knowledge is limited in this area. I'm not ashamed to admit it. I learn as I go. :)

Oh. Ok. My knowledge is limited in this area. I'm not ashamed to admit it. I learn as I go. :)
LOL go bug your boyfriend and confuse him in the process.:p

LOL go bug your boyfriend and confuse him in the process.:p

Nah. He doesn't like me either. It's ok. I'll go away and hide now. :(

That cant be right.
Plenty of Asthmatics serve.

Not in the US. It kept me out and I wanted in.

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/asthma.htm

Asthma

Previously, any history of asthma was disqualifying, regardless of age. While medical waivers were sometimes possible, waiver approval usually required scheduling and passing a pulmonary function test. Under the new policy, Asthma is only disqualifying if it occurs after the applicant’s 13th birthday.

Medical record screening may still be required, depending on the applicant’s medical history. However, in many cases, a signed statement, attached to the medical pre-screening form, stating that the applicant did not have any type of asthma (including exercise induced, or allergic asthma) or treatment for asthma after their 13th birthday will be sufficient.

Applicants who’ve experienced asthma or reactive airway disease after age 13 will require all medical documentation.

Waivers may still be considered, depending on the applicant’s medical history and – possibly results from a pulmonary function test.

Note that it's the only medical question on this US Army recruiting site: http://www.goarmy.com/arabic/contact/sendinfo2.jsp

That cant be right.
Plenty of Asthmatics serve.
Bone Fractures???

Some of the things on the list may not keep you from going in. Asthma for example. If you have had symptoms within the last couple of years, it will most likely keep you out as it did my son. However, if you had it as a young child but have been symptom free for several years you could be allowed to join. Same with bone fractures, it depends on what bone, when it was broken, how sever the break was etc.

You also have to remember some of the asthmatics that are in may have lied on their application or developed symptoms after they were in. If you develop it after you are in, they won't necessarily discharge you but it would defiantly keep you out of any flying jobs.

LOL go bug your boyfriend and confuse him in the process.:p

Alright, dammit! I bugged him and he said this: I wanted to join the airforce and blow things up.

Apparently he wanted to be a demolitions expert and what he was told was that if for some reason he had to do a parachute landing the chances were too high that he would blow out his knee. With that said, I'm back to bug you now. :D

Not really. I have to get some sleep now that it is 8:30 in the morn.

I found out recently that I can't join the U.S. Navy until I'm off of Ritalin/Concerta for at least a year. I'm looking at the Merchant Marine instead, now. :)

BTW, this topic can't be about trying to avoid service in the United States. Volunteer military, remember? Unless he's trying to get around the stop-loss or something.

I need your help in finding what health conditions can get you barred from military service (combat).

I would like info ranging from the obvious, like heart trouble and blindness, to the more obscure conditions, like syndromes and disorders both physical and mental.

I've tried looking for hours but I don't know how to refine the search since my knowledge in military terminology is too limited.

Any help is appreciated.

What, are you worried about being drafted? In the US? When we don't have a draft in progress?

great for getting released from the military are psychological conditions, because there is no physical evidence whether you are realy sick or just faking it.
great would be enuresis or develloping phobias. effective is also threatening to kill people or threatening suicide. if your superiors dont fall for that be prepared to actually stage a suicide attempt (i suggest sleeping pills and whiskey) and have your parents hire a lawyer to write letters to the military threatening suits if anything happens to you.

Medical Questions

Have you ever had:

1. Asthma, wheezing, or inhaler use
2. Dislocated joint, including knee, hip, shoulder, elbow, ankle or other joint
3. Epilepsy, fits, seizures, or convulsions
4. Sleepwalking
5. Recurrent neck or back pain
6. Rheumatic fever
7. Foot pain
8. A swollen, painful, or dislocated joint or fluid in a joint (knee, shoulder, wrist, elbow, etc.)
9. Double vision
10. Periods of unconsciousness
11. Frequent or severe headaches causing loss of time from work or school or taking medication to prevent frequent or severe headaches
12. Wear contact lenses (If so, bring your contact lens kit and solution so you can remove your contact when we test your vision at the MEPS; also, if you have a pair of eyeglasses, bring them with you no matter how old they are.)
13. Fainting spells or passing out
14. Head injury, including skull fracture, resulting in concussion, loss of consciousness, headaches, etc.
15. Back surgery
16. Seen a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, counselor or other professional for any reason (inpatient or outpatient) including counseling or treatment for school, adjustment, family, marriage or any other problem, to include depression, or treatment for alcohol, drug or substance abuse
17. Any of the following skin diseases:
Eczema

Psoriasis

Atopic dermatitis

18. Irregular heartbeat, including abnormally rapid or slow heart rates
19. Allergic to bee, wasp, or other insect stings (itching/swelling all over and/or get short of breath)
20. Heart murmur, valve problem or mitral valve prolapse
21. Allergic to wool
22. Heart surgery
23. Been rejected for military service (temporary or permanent) for medical or other reasons
24. Any other heart problems
25. High blood pressure
26. Discharged from military service for medical reasons
27. Ulcer (stomach, duodenum or other part of intestine)
28. Received disability compensation for an injury or other medical condition
29. Hepatitis (liver infection or inflammation)
30. Intestinal obstruction (locked bowels), or any other chronic or recurrent intestinal problem, including small intestine or colon problems, such as Crohn's disease or colitis
31. Detached retina or surgery for a detached retina
32. Surgery to remove a portion of the intestine (other than the appendix)
33. Any other eye condition, injury or surgery
34. Are you over 40? (If so, call the MEPS for information on special requirements for over-40 physicals)
35. Gall bladder trouble or gall stones
36. Jaundice
37. Missing a kidney
38. Allergy to common food (milk, bread, eggs, meat, fish or other common food)
39. (Females only) Abnormal PAP smear or gynecological problem
40. (Males only) Missing a testicle, testicular implant, or undescended testicle
41. Broken bone requiring surgery to repair (with or without pins, plates, screws or other metal fixation devices used in repair)
42. Ruptured or bulging disk in your back or surgery for a ruptured or bulging disk
43. Thyroid condition or take medication for your thyroid
44. Limitation of motion of any joint, including knee, shoulder, wrist, elbow, hip or other joint
45. Drug or alcohol rehab
46. Kidney, urinary tract or bladder problems, surgery, stones or other urinary tract problems
47. Sugar, protein or blood in urine
48. Surgery on a bone or joint (knee, shoulder, elbow, wrist, etc.) including Arthroscopy with normal findings
49. Taking any medications
50. Pain or swelling at the site of an old fracture
51. Perforated ear drum or tubes in ear drum(s)
52. Anemia
53. Ear surgery, to include mastoidectomy or repair of perforated ear drum, hearing loss or need/use a hearing aid
54. Night blindness
55. Arthritis
56. Absence or disturbance of the sense of smell
57. Absence or removal of the spleen, or rupture or tear of the spleen without removal
58. Anorexia or other eating disorder
59. Cracked bone or fracture(s)
60. Bursitis
61. Braces (If you wear or are planning on obtaining braces for your teeth, have the orthodontist submit a letter stating that braces will be removed before active duty date; release form and sample format can be found in the Recruiter's Medical Guide.)
62. Loss of finger, toe or part thereof
63. Loss of the ability to fully flex (bend) or fully extend a finger, toe or other joint
64. Shoulder, knee, or elbow problem (out of place)
65. Locking of the knee or other joint
66. Giving way of knee or other joint
67. Cataracts or surgery for cataracts
68. Eye surgery, including radial keratotomy, lens implant or other eye surgery to improve your vision
69. Collapsed lung or other lung condition
70. Bed wetting since age 12
71. Evaluation, treatment, or hospitalization for alcohol abuse, dependence, or addiction
72. Taken medication, drugs, or any substance to improve attention, behavior, or physical performance
73. Do you smoke? If yes:
Type: Cigarettes - Cigars - Smokeless tobacco

How many per day?

74. Evaluation, treatment, or hospitalization for substance use, abuse, addiction or dependence (including illegal drugs, prescription medications, or other substances)
75. Any illnesses, surgery, or hospitalization not listed above
No mention of diabetes? I always thought that one ruled you right out.

What, are you worried about being drafted? In the US? When we don't have a draft in progress?
Maybe he fancies joining up but is worried that he has a condition that may rule this out?

maybe he is in a country, that has the draft like russia, turkey, china or germany.

maybe he is in a country, that has the draft like russia, turkey, china or germany.
You're probably right: I'd thought he said he was American, but it seems that he didn't. My mistake.
Good luck to him finding an excuse.

Interesting. After the original post, Upitatanium hasn't replied to anything. :/

interesting....

Alright, dammit! I bugged him and he said this: I wanted to join the airforce and blow things up.

Apparently he wanted to be a demolitions expert and what he was told was that if for some reason he had to do a parachute landing the chances were too high that he would blow out his knee. With that said, I'm back to bug you now. :D

Not really. I have to get some sleep now that it is 8:30 in the morn.
Huh it was 11:30 PM here...

Thanks about the Asthma info guys.

Interesting. After the original post, Upitatanium hasn't replied to anything. :/

Been busy studying for exams, sorry for the wait.

BTW, I am Canadian but this info likely applies to both militaries. I've also been able to use the info to find some info about Canada as well. I asked for everyone's help because I wanted to know what effect ADHD and depression had on recruitment for a project I am working on.

You all gave me more than enough and I thank you.