Hi, I am retired military.  However, I didn’t get my j-pouch until after that.  I wasn’ t diagnosed with UC until age 59.  I am not sure if the recruiter really understands the medical implications of a j-pouch.  I remember years ago a friend of mine who has a hearing aid being told by a recruiter that it wouldn’t be a problem, but it was, once she had her physical. This issue was brought up by someone else a while ago and I believe the answer was basically no.  You may want to research this, possibly look at what medically prevents those wanting to join the military.  Personally, she would most likely be able to do the job.

VCM,

Do a search on military service and there are a number of threads on this issue, like this one:

https://www.j-pouch.org/topic/military-acceptance

I would tell your daughter that just because a recruiter said “it shouldn’t be a problem” doesn’t mean it is so. A recruiter’s job is to get her body in the door, once that happens job is done whether they take her or not. The recruiter is not a medical professional. From all that I have read, it’s an open question. You say your concern is “her health if accepted”, your concern should be her health regardless of whether she is accepted or not. Let her give it a shot and see what happens. 

One thing I can add is that my Grandfather served in the US Navy and I can tell you without any question his non-wartime service in the US Navy was the happiest time of his life. He was a gunner on the USS Oklahoma, one of the crown jewels of the US Navy which, for that reason, was targeted and sunk by the Japanese at Pearl Harbor after Grandpa completed his service. The last time I saw Grandpa alive, weeks before his 90th birthday and despite the fact that he was in and out of lucidity due to Alzheimer’s Disease, he described to me in great detail how the guns on that ship worked. At other times during his life he told me many other stories about his days in the service and clearly missed those days. He went on to serve in the merchant marine after his naval service.

best of luck to your girl.

Thank you for your reply. It sounds like your grandpa enjoyed serving! I will read the info link that you included as well. I worry about her health daily, but with being far away and not being able to be with her when she gets sick scares me. She eats and has to go directly to the restroom as everything runs right through her. Will she be able to use the restroom anytime needed? Will she be able to stay hydrated during PT? Will she be able to get the medical attention needed? Will they understand when she has pouchitis or a flare and accomadate? I encourage her to follow her dream but worry about her as I have been there every step of the way and want to to have the access needed always. 

She did get a 92 on her ASVAB and has a medical exam set up in the up coming days. Just concerned about her staying healthy in different conditions. 

I can understand your concerns, but as a parent on the financial side of things, if she does get into the service, you and your daughter can get some relief on paying for college or grad school, down the road. Several of my law school colleagues were still in the reserves, one in the US Navy, and he got law school paid for somehow, but during the Persian Gulf War he got recalled to active duty but never actually went overseas. He told me that was basically the price he had to pay to get the tuition relief, but he was on a naval base somewhere and never in an actual combat zone. College and grad school tuition relief could possibly be a bonus in all of this.

Let us know how the medical exam goes, and what issues are discussed and how they are addressed. That should be telling.

Frankly, the recruiter knows nothing about medical issues and he/she is only concerned with getting likely candidates through the door and into the induction process.  A history of IBD will be a red flag during medical assessment for many different reasons, including ability to perform duties, physical stamina, and also VA health insurance and liability considerations.  Your daughter should perhaps go through the recruitment process so she has no regrets later on in life, but should be fully prepared to be rejected on medical grounds. 

Mom, I do not know.

This one really touches home for me.

For as long as I can remember, I wanted a career in the Air Force.  Folks, I was rocking it.  Promoted to E-4 six months early.  Selected for E-5 first time eligible.  Straight 9 performance reports.

Shortly after joining, the symptoms started.  When I was diagnosed with UC, the Cold War was ending and we were cashing in the Peace Dividend.  I was put out with a 10% disability; declared as unfit for worldwide service.

#1, Mom, GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING!!!  And keep it! 

#2, the needs of the service come first.  Maybe they will overlook something like this, maybe not.  Maybe it will change in a year.  The military is a bureaucracy.  Expect it to act like it.

Your daughter wants to serve.  I commend her and wish her well.  But she may not be able to serve in the military.  I no longer can despite numerous efforts to return.  I am now a paramedic serving at a local level.

A final thought:  Get everything in writing from the recruiting system and keep it!  Seriously.  I saw a senior NCO almost lose his retirement when he couldn’t lose weight.  He was hypothyroid and was given a waver when he enlisted in the 60’s.  He had to do some searching, but he found the original waiver and it saved his retirement.  They were going to discharge him after 18 or 19 years of service with nothing more than his VA benefits to show for giving his best years to his county.

OK, this is my real final thought:  Please don’t anyone think I have anything against the military.  If they would let me, I would put the uniform on today and serve for as long as I am able.  But the military is a bureaucracy.  It places its own interests ahead it its members.  The military does not exist for the benefit of its members.