Can I qualify for military?

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jun 3, 2013

I definitely wouldn't lie about it; also, any surgical fusion is disqualifying in and of itself, as I'm sure you realize, judging by your comment about needing a waiver. In the current recruiting climate (very competitive with very limited slots), chances of getting a waiver are slim. However, if you don't ask, the answer will always be no! :)

coupb8222 · Jun 3, 2013

Usually when you have an episode of an illness it will not exempt you. They would require a letter from the physician stating that it was an isolated event because of vitamin deficiency, and you would not need to receive any follow ups EVER. But it sounds like they don't know the cause. I would not lie about it either. You can try to apply and see. You never know until you apply and they say no.

SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN · Jun 4, 2013

It'll be a long shot, but as others have said, you'll never know if you don't try. Good luck!

slc1984 · Jun 4, 2013

I just joined the navy and they were concerned about me being on accutane when I was 13. Considered making me try for a waiver for that but ended up deciding that 15 years off of an acne medication is long enough to not need one. They were VERY picky about past medical history and wanted any medical records that existed. If it is in your record and someone sees it, you will be kicked out for lying. I think that is worse than being kept out for telling the truth. Long story short, don't lie about it.

Guests · Jun 5, 2013

If you neglect to inform them of your neurological problems and they later find out after you've enlisted, you will be promptly discharged with no better than a general discharge.

I'd not want to be 50+ year-old nurse trying to find a job with a less-than-honorable discharge weighing me down.

Lying by omission is not likely to produce good results.

Residentmaid, MSN · Jun 5, 2013

Right! Like I said. .. wouldn't Lie. It's not how I do things. I really want to enlist, but I doubt I could. While I have never been diagnosed I do have a significant history from when this all started. One can dream. ..

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Jun 5, 2013

Right! Like I said. .. wouldn't Lie. It's not how I do things. I really want to enlist, but I doubt I could. While I have never been diagnosed I do have a significant history from when this all started. One can dream. ..

This is a nitpicky thing, but I want to put it on the board to maybe save someone from getting themselves involved with the wrong recruiter because the terminology is slightly off.

Officers do not 'enlist'. Officers commission. I've done both and there is a distinct difference - most of which involves how the person serves and how they are able to continue to serve.

An enlistment is an enrollment. When a person enlists, they have a contract between themselves and the branch of the Armed Forces that they are in, for a specific amount of time, that must be renewed at expiration. The renewal is at the whim of the respective branch of service, and the enlisted person, when they submit their reenlistment papers, is basically applying with that service for permission to remain on active duty, again for a specified amount of time. Most enlistments are renewed in six year increments (there are differences; I'm generalizing).

A commission is a certification of rank. It is not a contract in the same way an enlistment contract is; it's more of an agreement. An officer incurs an initial service commitment when the commission is granted - three to four years is typical (pilots get 10, combat officers get 6, and there are a few other exceptions, but 3-4 is typical). I incurred a 6 year, because I took bonus money and loan repayments.

Once that initial committment is completed, as long as:

(1) the officer does not violate military or certain civil laws;

(2) the officer advances in rank appropriately; and

(3) the President doesn't do away with whatever position the officer holds (this is why people say 'an officer serves at the whim of the Commander In Chief, or the CINC)

the officer can remain on active duty until their retirement date.

Our documents are different as well. My enlisted time is signified by Enlistment Contracts (which I still have, actually). My commissioned time is signified only by a certification.

Enlisteds renew their contract and it's granted to them (of course, they too have to not screw up and have to advance in rank for the renewal to be granted) - they re-sign paperwork every time they 're-up', as we used to put it. An officer's commission is certified to us, and all you have to do as the end of your initial committment approaches, is make it clear you intend to stay.

(How this is done in each service differs, but the end result is the same.)

Officers can incur additional committments, like for school and stuff: the military pays for X amount of stuff, and you then owe them X amount of time. Enlisteds can do that too, but their time owed is calculated differently, and runs concurrent with their contract: if they owe four years for education, and they have a four year enlistment, the time runs concurrent. If they owe six but have a four year contract, they have to extend that contract.

We have a number on our Leave and Earnings statement (our pay stub) signified as ETS (Enlisted Termination of Service). Officers have placeholder 8s in that space (every officer has 88888888). Enlisteds have a date (for example, 08032014, for 8 March 2014). The only reason ours have 8s is because that's what the computers at Defense Finance and Accounting Services recognize as 'no date'.

This is why we tell people avoid enlisted recruiters. They're not officer recruiters, and if you want to be a nurse in the military (except the Army, which has LPNs - but they're not officers, they're enlisted), you have to talk to an officer recruiter.

Residentmaid, MSN · Jun 6, 2013

Great information about the difference. I called an officer recruiter today. I'll call air guard tomorrow to. It's looking like there are too many nurses right now anyway. Do no tuition reimbursement for me!

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jun 6, 2013

Great information about the difference. I called an officer recruiter today. I'll call air guard tomorrow to. It's looking like there are too many nurses right now anyway. Do no tuition reimbursement for me!

Oh! And I originally meant to say ... congrats on the weight loss and half marathon! Heck, I can't even run that far. Hahahaha.

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Jun 7, 2013

Oh! And I originally meant to say ... congrats on the weight loss and half marathon! Heck, I can't even run that far. Hahahaha.

You know those stickers that say '13.1' and '26.2'??

I seriously LOL'd (and shot the guy a thumbs up as I passed him) the other day on base when I saw one that said '1.5'.

:cheeky: :roflmao: :wacky: :rolleyes:

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jun 7, 2013

You know those stickers that say '13.1' and '26.2'??
I seriously LOL'd (and shot the guy a thumbs up as I passed him) the other day on base when I saw one that said '1.5'.

I have a "2.0" circle that says "Go Army" in little letters on the bottom. LOLOL!!! Got tired of the 13.1 and the 26.2 stickers. I had magnets done through Cafepress. :)