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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 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

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

 

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