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Getting into the military with epilepsy.
Tue, 03/25/2008 - 17:45Comments
Re: Getting into the military with epilepsy.
Submitted by dainty on Mon, 2009-08-24 - 22:07
First off hugs and congrats** Im sorry about the Military but am so pleased your taken another direction that seems to make you happy. Life about being happy. Dreams change and adspt, they still good dreams*
The only good news? I can give you for the Military and Ive researched this a bit for my son, is IF you are seizure free 5 years you do not have to claim your epilepsy. Maybe you can sneak in that way.
Either way I so wish you nothign but good wishes and good health.
joan*
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/JuvenileMyoclonicEpilepsy/
Son lamictal 175 2x 19 Grand Mals - Stable Daughter keppra 500 16 Juvenile myclonic - On MAD for 80 days and doing GREAT!!!! Both had first issues at 15 - Both JME - gotta love puberty : ) * Both dealing with it*
First off hugs and congrats** Im sorry about the Military but am so pleased your taken another direction that seems to make you happy. Life about being happy. Dreams change and adspt, they still good dreams*
The only good news? I can give you for the Military and Ive researched this a bit for my son, is IF you are seizure free 5 years you do not have to claim your epilepsy. Maybe you can sneak in that way.
Either way I so wish you nothign but good wishes and good health.
joan*
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/JuvenileMyoclonicEpilepsy/
Son lamictal 175 2x 19 Grand Mals - Stable Daughter keppra 500 16 Juvenile myclonic - On MAD for 80 days and doing GREAT!!!! Both had first issues at 15 - Both JME - gotta love puberty : ) * Both dealing with it*
Re: Getting into the military with epilepsy.
Submitted by whitetigrus on Fri, 2009-09-18 - 21:09
OMG! I found that last comment very disturbing, "maybe you can sneak in!" WTF!!!!!!!!!!! They have these rules and guidelines to protect us and innocent civilians!
I wish you all of the luck in the world on becoming a member of JAG, very commendable! My son and I where both denied due to the fact that we have to take medication on a daily basis and none of the branches can guarantee that that could happen even in basic training!
Please never try to 'Sneak" or hide the fact that you have epilepsy, it could wind up saving your life if people actually know that you suffer from seizures, especially if you have one they're not trying to misdiagnose you!
I'm sorry, I was totally caught off guard from that comment!
Common sense is not so common!
OMG! I found that last comment very disturbing, "maybe you can sneak in!" WTF!!!!!!!!!!! They have these rules and guidelines to protect us and innocent civilians!
I wish you all of the luck in the world on becoming a member of JAG, very commendable! My son and I where both denied due to the fact that we have to take medication on a daily basis and none of the branches can guarantee that that could happen even in basic training!
Please never try to 'Sneak" or hide the fact that you have epilepsy, it could wind up saving your life if people actually know that you suffer from seizures, especially if you have one they're not trying to misdiagnose you!
I'm sorry, I was totally caught off guard from that comment!
Common sense is not so common!
Re: Getting into the military with epilepsy.
Submitted by jmd2007 on Mon, 2009-08-24 - 21:13
I was attending the Air Force Academy and had my first seizure during my junior year at age 20. Immediately, the Academy tried to have me disenrolled. I was able to successfully appeal to the Superintendant, but the Air Force conducted its own non-Academy medical review. I was given the green light to be commissioned, but it was overturned by the Pentagon. In the end, I was able to graduate, but did not receive my commission alongside my classmates. It was a long and emotional process, to be honest, and I can’t say I was happy with the result. I was selected to be a financial management officer after graduation. Not as glamorous as a pilot, sure, but a desk job, so I didn’t think it would be a big issue. I understand that I can’t be deployed, as a liability to myself and my fellow servicemen and women, but I was hoping that I could still serve.
Overall, I’ve had four seizures, and we don’t know the cause. I’ve been on medication (first Dilantin, now Lamictal), and it seems like we’ve figured out the right dosage to keep them under control (knock on wood). It’s been a year and a half since my last seizure.
I stumbled upon this thread because I was hoping that I could find my way back into the service, Air Force or otherwise. I’m currently in law school, and there are many avenues to becoming a JAG. However, despite my high hopes, it seems like I would surely be denied, although I can’t say I’m surprised. The Air Force (and perhaps the other branches) is working towards a fully deployable work force (they call it “force shaping”). Perhaps the military will change directions or policies and I can try my luck again, but in the meantime, I have some law books to read.
Thanks.
I was attending the Air Force Academy and had my first seizure during my junior year at age 20. Immediately, the Academy tried to have me disenrolled. I was able to successfully appeal to the Superintendant, but the Air Force conducted its own non-Academy medical review. I was given the green light to be commissioned, but it was overturned by the Pentagon. In the end, I was able to graduate, but did not receive my commission alongside my classmates. It was a long and emotional process, to be honest, and I can’t say I was happy with the result. I was selected to be a financial management officer after graduation. Not as glamorous as a pilot, sure, but a desk job, so I didn’t think it would be a big issue. I understand that I can’t be deployed, as a liability to myself and my fellow servicemen and women, but I was hoping that I could still serve.
Overall, I’ve had four seizures, and we don’t know the cause. I’ve been on medication (first Dilantin, now Lamictal), and it seems like we’ve figured out the right dosage to keep them under control (knock on wood). It’s been a year and a half since my last seizure.
I stumbled upon this thread because I was hoping that I could find my way back into the service, Air Force or otherwise. I’m currently in law school, and there are many avenues to becoming a JAG. However, despite my high hopes, it seems like I would surely be denied, although I can’t say I’m surprised. The Air Force (and perhaps the other branches) is working towards a fully deployable work force (they call it “force shaping”). Perhaps the military will change directions or policies and I can try my luck again, but in the meantime, I have some law books to read.
Thanks.