Whats up everyone, quick question on joining the military after jpouch creation and getting clearance papers from surgeon. I saw a couple people asking this but no answers on what ultimately happened. Anyone know of this being a possibility? Any suggestions? Thanks.
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I was an army doc, that being said nearly impossible to waiver in. It has to do with the ability to live in austere environments. One can always try, but even j pouch with good return to function are termed no longer fit for duty when active in my experience. Now that I am a j poucher, I still get a little down about never having the opportunity to serve again.
Appreciate your reply sir, your not the first to say that unfortunately. From what I've gathered it is unlikely but not impossible now in saying that, i see my surgeon in a couple days and he has paperwork for me with a full description of procedures and things related to me. He has given me full clearance to work and be active and i have no restrictions i have already bounced back in the past few months since my ileostomy reversal very well..im 5'9 a lean 175lb muscular build. With all that said and proper "wording" from my doctor (which are all true facts) what do you think my chances are? Thanks for your time and service.
I forgot to mention i am not on any medicine at all and have full control of bowels average 5 times in 24 hours.
Actually, it's Ma'am, I realize my name is androgynous and I appreciate your respectful nature. The easiest thing for you do is look up the regs AR 40-501. You can look it up easily and download the PDF. Unfortunately, even if you are in awesome physical condition we are more prone to dehydration, electrolyte abnormalities, and BM even as low as as yours will make Damn near impossible to make it through basic or OCS depending on if you are talking about enlisting versus commissioning. Again, it has to do with living in austere environments, ie deployment situations. It is nearly a nil chance of you qualifying. All this said, some branches are a bit more lenient in things they will waiver. The navy and air force, both have less 'grunt' expectations. What branch were you interested in? If it is really something you want then try, there is no harm but do NOT let a recruiter give you false hope. It is a shot in hell you will make through MEPS but if it's your dream give it a try WITH low expectations and A LOT of hope. It was a privilege to serve, thank you. I really wish the best for you.
I apologize ma'am. I am looking into the marines so i am aware of how much of a long shot this is. So far i have not been given any false hope, just encouragement. Im going to see what happens with the paperwork as from what i understand you must be 6 months post surgery to be eligible to enlist so what i was told by my local recruiter is to get him the paperwork and he will use this time to get it to the right people and see what happens..ive been keeping a hopeful but realistic mindset and appreciate your time and advice.
And if it got sent up to a medical board would that board be of the military in general or specific to the branch im interested in ?
I looked in AR 40-501. It specifically says that hx of UC is disqualifying. Now arguably you could say you are cured, however, any hx of a bowel resection (pretty sure a TPC more then fits mere resection) is disqualifying. You have the uphill battle of trying to prove the j pouch makes you no different then any other recruit, problem is we have to poop more. I know, unless someone was less then two or three years from retirement, if they were already active and had this surgery they would be medically retired even if they had a good outcome. Retention standards are not as strict as enlistment standards. Does that make sense? Keep me updated. I tried to get back in the reserves and was a no go with my pouch. You may sneak through if someone is sleeping, just remember it's not worth your health. Be honest always, cuz you can get screwed if you aren't.
What kind of MOS do you want to go into?
Infantry. So yes needless to say its a longgggg shot. I will be talking to the recruiter about any and all potential options should this not workout.
@tentacle245 did you ever get into the military? I'm 31 years old and have had my j-pouch since 19(2005). I'm just like you, healthy and in the best shape of my life. No daily medication, no diet restrictions and believe it or not, I only have 1-2 bowel movements a day. I made it through MEPS back in May and the doctor whom signed off told me to get a waiver. My recruiter(Alabama Army National Guard) submitted my waiver and 3 months later I receive word that my waiver approval was Denied. No consultation, nothing, just "No".
I then tried to submit a waiver again with the Air Force Reserve Command. The recruiter sent it straight to the surgeon general and within a week I received the same answer; No. I believe in a higher power, the Lord Jesus, and I understand that things may not always work out the way that I want them to, even if it is discouraging and disheartening to be denied when you are 12 years healthy.
I really feel badly for all of you men and women who wish to have military service but are being thrown all of these roadblocks. I am the only male in my family who didn't serve in the US Armed Forces, this due to my IBD, which was much more serious and difficult to treat when I was a younger man. My father was in the US army and my grandfather was in the US navy. My Grandpa was stationed on the USS Oklahoma which was targeted and sunk by the Japanese at Pearl Harbor. He had finished his service before World War II. He had Alzheimer's disease before he passed away but on his lucid days he could describe how the guns fired on that ship like he did it yesterday (that's what his duties were). I developed a theory that Alzheimer's patients most lucid memories are the long term memories of the happiest days of their life. I believe my grandfather'a happiest times in his life were his days in the US navy.
I think it's very admirable that all of you persist towards your wish to serve in the military and are willing to jump through and over whatever hoops and obstacles are thrown your way. Don't give up. My grandfather would be proud of your efforts and so am I.
@CTBarrister, thank you for your kind response. I believe when you have the calling and desire in your heart, then you exhaust all avenues to reach your goal. I, along with countless others who feel we are more fit(because we have to be) than others without a history of health issues, hope that that desire never subsides. I know that there has to be at least one other soul in the greatest military in the world that represents the greatest men and women of the greatest country to ever exist that has a j pouch with normal function. I still have some options/branches left to try before all of the doors are closed, and I will pursue them. The Bible's teaches in Psalsms 37:4 to, "delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desire of your heart." I know that is true and will lean on that truth.
I guess I was lucky. I was able to do my 20 years, 4 active and 16 reserve, before I was diagnosed with UC at 60. I did have issues for quite a while before that but I guess it was mild enough that it didn't interfere enough with my job. Of course I also was not in the infantry, so that probably made life easier, and I pretty much always had access to a bathroom. When I was finally diagnosed it was moderate to severe pancolitis. I guess if things had been bad enough at the time, I would probably have been medically discharged. I also had a career as a special education teacher and am able to continue now as a birth to three provider, so in spite of everything, it hasn't slowed me down too much. I hope that if you persist, things work out for you!
With an all volunteer military, they can be as picky as they want to be. I believe that most of the issue is not wanting to sign on to potential troubles down the road, because any illness you develop after you are in, the military owns.
On the other hand, there are numerous careers in the civilian sector that contract with the DOD without the onerous health restrictions. I had a long career with the VA long after my UC diagnosis.
Jan 