Community Forum Archive

The Epilepsy Community Forums are closed, and the information is archived. The content in this section may not be current or apply to all situations. In addition, forum questions and responses include information and content that has been generated by epilepsy community members. This content is not moderated. The information on these pages should not be substituted for medical advice from a healthcare provider. Experiences with epilepsy can vary greatly on an individual basis. Please contact your doctor or medical team if you have any questions about your situation. For more information, learn about epilepsy or visit our resources section.

Getting into the military with epilepsy.

Tue, 03/25/2008 - 17:45
Hello, I tried to get into the Army when I was 18 but they denied me because they couldn't guarentee that I would or could get my medication on a daily basis!  It makes sense!  Now my 17 year old son has plans of joining the Navy.  I've told him what I went through and what they told me but he's already talked to recruiters that have told him that he could get in.  Do different branches have different rules for enlistment?  I've already made my son promise me that he wouldn't enlist until after Bush is out, but Bush has created such a mess it's going to take years to clean up his mess and to get our troops out safely!  My son's grades aren't good and I've already been told that the Navy won't take him unless he has at least a C average, so that sets my mind at ease!  Does anybody have any first hand knowledge regarding getting into the armed forces with E. 

Comments

Re: Getting into the military with epilepsy.

Submitted by bleedingheart on Thu, 2008-03-27 - 01:13
In Victoria, Canada we have a police officer who has epilepsy and he is still employed because the seizures are controlled. I wouldn't be surprised if they do the same for the military. Of course, it can be a stressful occupation which might provoke seizures, depending on where the superiors post their recruits once they're in. But it doesn't hurt to try. It's a free country. 

Re: Getting into the military with epilepsy.

Submitted by arizonabay on Sat, 2008-05-03 - 23:48

Hello,

No, your son cannot join any branch of the service if he has epilepsy. Generally, an applicant must be seizure free for a period of 5 years without the use of medication in order to be allow to enlist.

Exceptions are made and waivers are issued. But only in cases where an applicant had a single seizure incident within 5 years but has not been diagnosed as an epileptic nor has had any other history of seizures. The Army and the Marines are the only ones that I've heard of issuing these waivers.

But a person diagnosed with epilepsy and is currently on medication under the instruction of a physician most definitely will not get one of these waivers regardless of the branch. A person with epilepsy is considered non-deployable and is therefore not wanted.

Also, just FYI: Good or bad high school grades do not matter when joining any branch of the military as long as one has a diploma. How much aptitude a candidate has for each branches MOSs, ratings, AFSCs, etc is dependent on his or her ASVAB score.

 

Hello,

No, your son cannot join any branch of the service if he has epilepsy. Generally, an applicant must be seizure free for a period of 5 years without the use of medication in order to be allow to enlist.

Exceptions are made and waivers are issued. But only in cases where an applicant had a single seizure incident within 5 years but has not been diagnosed as an epileptic nor has had any other history of seizures. The Army and the Marines are the only ones that I've heard of issuing these waivers.

But a person diagnosed with epilepsy and is currently on medication under the instruction of a physician most definitely will not get one of these waivers regardless of the branch. A person with epilepsy is considered non-deployable and is therefore not wanted.

Also, just FYI: Good or bad high school grades do not matter when joining any branch of the military as long as one has a diploma. How much aptitude a candidate has for each branches MOSs, ratings, AFSCs, etc is dependent on his or her ASVAB score.

 

Re: Getting into the military with epilepsy.

Submitted by whitetigrus on Tue, 2008-05-13 - 07:42

Thank you so much or your reply, it's the best one that I've received!  Don't get me wrong, I fully support our troops whom fight for our freedom but I didn't think that my son could enlist.  I didn't think think that the rules would have changed over something as important as getting your meds on a daily basis!  Thank you again! 

Happier Mom

Common sense is not so common!

Thank you so much or your reply, it's the best one that I've received!  Don't get me wrong, I fully support our troops whom fight for our freedom but I didn't think that my son could enlist.  I didn't think think that the rules would have changed over something as important as getting your meds on a daily basis!  Thank you again! 

Happier Mom

Common sense is not so common!

Sign Up for Emails

Stay up to date with the latest epilepsy news, stories from the community, and more.