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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 kay69 on Wed, 2009-11-11 - 19:52
I'm not in the US, but I can say the epilepsy and military ban is more or less global in the Western countries. It seems to be one of the exemptions to disability discimination laws.
Years ago (age 17) I was really keen on joining the navy to be part of the navy band. Back then women weren't even allowed to sea and definately couldn't be deployed in active service. I'd also been sz free for 2 years, was off meds and had just started driving, so there should'nt have been any issues but of course there were and the recruiter made that pretty clear. I was gutted at the time.
I can understand the military ban, overall there are just too many potential complications given the total unpredictablity of Ep. I don't like the idea of seizures and guns. But I do think non-deployment roles (ceremonial, desk jobs, military bands) should be allowed, but perhaps they don't like the idea of someone falling flat on their face during a somber rememberance service??
I'm not in the US, but I can say the epilepsy and military ban is more or less global in the Western countries. It seems to be one of the exemptions to disability discimination laws.
Years ago (age 17) I was really keen on joining the navy to be part of the navy band. Back then women weren't even allowed to sea and definately couldn't be deployed in active service. I'd also been sz free for 2 years, was off meds and had just started driving, so there should'nt have been any issues but of course there were and the recruiter made that pretty clear. I was gutted at the time.
I can understand the military ban, overall there are just too many potential complications given the total unpredictablity of Ep. I don't like the idea of seizures and guns. But I do think non-deployment roles (ceremonial, desk jobs, military bands) should be allowed, but perhaps they don't like the idea of someone falling flat on their face during a somber rememberance service??
Re: Getting into the military with epilepsy.
Submitted by Bezalel on Wed, 2010-01-27 - 22:23
Can You do that? get in the military with epilepsy
Can You do that? get in the military with epilepsy
Re: Getting into the military with epilepsy.
Submitted by smallfry11 on Wed, 2010-01-20 - 12:39
I'm at USAFA right now, I'm a 2 degree, and just had my first seizure yesterday morning. Everything's still crazy right now with the doctors here just trying to figure out why it happened...I'm sure I'll have to go to some sort of medical review board. Do you know what the rules are right now? Even if they do commission me, would this make me non-deployable? I understand the reasonings behind it...but that would be a huge bummer :( Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks -Storm