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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 dainty on Thu, 2008-11-13 - 08:36

Firstly, Thank you for your service.  It was very selfless of you.  I am sorry for your hardships and hope this opens a door to a whole new world for you.

My son wanted to be a Marine.  He had planned on finishing his 4 yr degree and joining as an officer.  Well you know they wont take him on E BUT let me share some of the unethical things recruiters have told him:

1) Lie

2) Dont tell

3) Stop taking your meds

4)Get a Congressman to write you a waiver

My thoughts on this is, it made my son hurt? angry? disappointed? enough to not be able to join the military, this like rubbing salt in a wound.  My son knows if he lies or omits the E part, he can be dishonorably discharged.  For someone who wants to serve in honor?  Thats not the way to get what you want.  I understand the deployable aspect but also know many military never see combat.  Why couldnt they take folks with E and let them be cooks, mechanics, engineers.  There seem to be alot of jobs in the military that dont get deployed.  I am sad for my son and hes sadder for him than I am.  I am trying to get him refocused on another career but its not easy. 

Hang in there and be well

joan*

 

 

 

 

Son lamictal 19 Grand Mals Daughter lamictal 15 Juvenile myclonic Both had first issues at 15 - gotta love puberty : ) * Both dealing with it* Live, Laugh, Love

Firstly, Thank you for your service.  It was very selfless of you.  I am sorry for your hardships and hope this opens a door to a whole new world for you.

My son wanted to be a Marine.  He had planned on finishing his 4 yr degree and joining as an officer.  Well you know they wont take him on E BUT let me share some of the unethical things recruiters have told him:

1) Lie

2) Dont tell

3) Stop taking your meds

4)Get a Congressman to write you a waiver

My thoughts on this is, it made my son hurt? angry? disappointed? enough to not be able to join the military, this like rubbing salt in a wound.  My son knows if he lies or omits the E part, he can be dishonorably discharged.  For someone who wants to serve in honor?  Thats not the way to get what you want.  I understand the deployable aspect but also know many military never see combat.  Why couldnt they take folks with E and let them be cooks, mechanics, engineers.  There seem to be alot of jobs in the military that dont get deployed.  I am sad for my son and hes sadder for him than I am.  I am trying to get him refocused on another career but its not easy. 

Hang in there and be well

joan*

 

 

 

 

Son lamictal 19 Grand Mals Daughter lamictal 15 Juvenile myclonic Both had first issues at 15 - gotta love puberty : ) * Both dealing with it* Live, Laugh, Love

Re: Getting into the military with epilepsy.

Submitted by angelacarwile on Tue, 2009-01-20 - 12:08

I'm sorry. The same thing happened to me. I'm now a retired Chief, forced to retire after 13 years. I was diagnosed with Epilepsy in June 2007 and retired July 2008. I was so angry and it still bothers me to talk about it sometimes. Unfortunately for me, it took over a year to get my seizures under control; I couldn't drive, live alone or care for myself...So you can see I was definitely no longer an asset to the Navy. It sucks, but I'm here to tell you something better is right around the corner. Getting angry only hurts you, the Navy will still go on without us. Took me a while to figure that one out;-) The hardest part is being forced out against your will; I know your pain. If you ever need anything or just want to talk, please email me. Take care of yourself and God Bless.

I'm sorry. The same thing happened to me. I'm now a retired Chief, forced to retire after 13 years. I was diagnosed with Epilepsy in June 2007 and retired July 2008. I was so angry and it still bothers me to talk about it sometimes. Unfortunately for me, it took over a year to get my seizures under control; I couldn't drive, live alone or care for myself...So you can see I was definitely no longer an asset to the Navy. It sucks, but I'm here to tell you something better is right around the corner. Getting angry only hurts you, the Navy will still go on without us. Took me a while to figure that one out;-) The hardest part is being forced out against your will; I know your pain. If you ever need anything or just want to talk, please email me. Take care of yourself and God Bless.

Re: Getting into the military with epilepsy.

Submitted by ateeterbaker on Sat, 2010-10-09 - 20:54
I'm an O-3 in the Air National Guard and suffered five tonic-clonic seizures two weeks ago and was diagnosed with Epilepsy (EEG confirmed). This all happened overseas in the UK while on a long leave of absence (my civilian husband was working overseas and I accompanied him). My husband and I were going to travel around the world until February but due to the seizures I've come back to the states. I've notified my chain of command about the seizures and they told me to get a second opinion from U.S. doctors -- in the meantime they'd also research medical waivers because they don't want to lose me. After reading this thread the reality has hit that pursuing a waiver will be a fruitless process. When I was in the emergency room and was told about the seizures, I immediately broke down because I knew my military career was finished (served 4 years AD, 4 years ANG). Ugh, but I'm an optimist and was holding out hope I could still serve. As mentioned before, my leave of absence was supposed to last until February. Do you recommend I insist on commencing the discharge process immediately so that I don't prolong suffering through bureaucratic shenanigans?

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