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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 jencas16 on Thu, 2008-09-25 - 23:27

I was in my first semester of college on a full ride from the Air Force ROTC scholarship when I had my first grand mal and was diagnosed.  It only took a matter of weeks for them to revoke my scholarship and say "thanks but no thanks".  The college kicked in and replaced the scolarship with their own, but it was still a horrible thing to happen.  I had plans for a career.  So, the answer is a most definate NO for the air force, and I am pretty sure that most other services would be the same way.

JME - Diagnosed in 2000

I was in my first semester of college on a full ride from the Air Force ROTC scholarship when I had my first grand mal and was diagnosed.  It only took a matter of weeks for them to revoke my scholarship and say "thanks but no thanks".  The college kicked in and replaced the scolarship with their own, but it was still a horrible thing to happen.  I had plans for a career.  So, the answer is a most definate NO for the air force, and I am pretty sure that most other services would be the same way.

JME - Diagnosed in 2000

Re: Getting into the military with epilepsy.

Submitted by jderry on Fri, 2008-09-26 - 08:48
It ain't gonna happen. Not allowed.

Re: Getting into the military with epilepsy.

Submitted by saylove12 on Thu, 2008-11-13 - 04:54

I was dx with epilepsy over a year ago and still serving in the Navy, however, I'm in the process of being discharged. I'm waiting on my informal medical board, which I'm sure will come back as recommending me to the permanently disabled list. Then theres the formal board, which I can drag on for years but have no intention doing.

Even though I have been seizure free and not on meds for the last year...they still don't want me. And to tell you the truth I don't want them much either. Given the fact that we are still "at war", and I have been without incident, having not missed a day of work, I am fully capable of doing my job. After 13 years, they have beaten me down; taking me off of the watchbill, reducing my responsibilities, not allowing me to do my job, they are forcing me out. I have given everything to my country and the Navy. I have served in war, saved lives and never complained. I may not be deployable but there is a billet out there that I can fill. Waivers happen everday in the military. When they want you out, that's it, no waiver, no nothing.

I speak from expierence, I'm a Physician Assistant. I have had several patients who have had strokes, heart attacks, diabetes...they still serve. At this point in my career, I'm ready to move on. I'm done fighting...

So, the answer to the question is, NO, you cannot serve your country, on active duty, with epilepsy. I encourage you parents to make sure your sons and daughter do not make the mistake of joining. Even if they have been seizure free, we have no guesstimate as to when another one might occur. The last thing anyone wants is to have their child put themselves in harms way or anyone else for that matter.

Thanks for listening,

Proudly serving, for now

I was dx with epilepsy over a year ago and still serving in the Navy, however, I'm in the process of being discharged. I'm waiting on my informal medical board, which I'm sure will come back as recommending me to the permanently disabled list. Then theres the formal board, which I can drag on for years but have no intention doing.

Even though I have been seizure free and not on meds for the last year...they still don't want me. And to tell you the truth I don't want them much either. Given the fact that we are still "at war", and I have been without incident, having not missed a day of work, I am fully capable of doing my job. After 13 years, they have beaten me down; taking me off of the watchbill, reducing my responsibilities, not allowing me to do my job, they are forcing me out. I have given everything to my country and the Navy. I have served in war, saved lives and never complained. I may not be deployable but there is a billet out there that I can fill. Waivers happen everday in the military. When they want you out, that's it, no waiver, no nothing.

I speak from expierence, I'm a Physician Assistant. I have had several patients who have had strokes, heart attacks, diabetes...they still serve. At this point in my career, I'm ready to move on. I'm done fighting...

So, the answer to the question is, NO, you cannot serve your country, on active duty, with epilepsy. I encourage you parents to make sure your sons and daughter do not make the mistake of joining. Even if they have been seizure free, we have no guesstimate as to when another one might occur. The last thing anyone wants is to have their child put themselves in harms way or anyone else for that matter.

Thanks for listening,

Proudly serving, for now

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