Medically disqualified

Unbelievable. I didn't know kidney stones were considered so serious!

Seems a little harsh?

It does. I can't believe it. I think the kidney stones were due to me being pregnant, but they don't care.

So that's that.

don't mean to sound stupid but what is MEPS

Not stupid :)

It's the military entrance processing station where you go to get screened before joining the military.

I've been in the process of applying for the Navy nurse candidate program and going to MEPS was one of the last things I needed to do. So the doctors there review your medical records and make sure you are ok.

Kidney stones are disqualifying, but sometimes you can get a waiver. I thought since I only had 2 and they were forever ago i'd be ok, but I guess not. I'm still hoping to get a waiver, but my recruiter said he wouldn't hold out hope.

MEPS is the Miltiary Entrance Processing Station.

Joining the Military Requires two (or more) trips to the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS). At a very minimum, you make a trip to MEPS for initial processing, then a second trip to MEPS for final processing on the day you ship out to basic training. This article will focus on the average "first trip" to MEPS. MEPS is a Department of Defense joint-service organization staffed with military and civilians. Their job is to determine an applicant's physical qualifications, aptitude and moral standards as set by each branch of military service, the Department of Defense, and federal law. There are 65 MEPS facilities located throughout the United States.

(Obtained from U.S. Military, - Articles.

Not stupid :)

It's the military entrance processing station where you go to get screened before joining the military.

I've been in the process of applying for the Navy nurse candidate program and going to MEPS was one of the last things I needed to do. So the doctors there review your medical records and make sure you are ok.

Kidney stones are disqualifying, but sometimes you can get a waiver. I thought since I only had 2 and they were forever ago i'd be ok, but I guess not. I'm still hoping to get a waiver, but my recruiter said he wouldn't hold out hope.

thanks, I see. Well wishing you luck on your waiver, keep your chin up

Blast. My recruiter just called me this morning and said MEPS emailed him and said I was medically disqualified for having 2 kidney stones 3 years ago. I am so mad. He said he's going to send my records to the board for a waiver, but that the person on the board he talked to said not to get my hopes up because it's in black and white that a history of kidney stones is disqualifying.

So I guess that's that?? I can't believe I started this process a year ago and now it's just going to end like that.

I start nursing school in 3 weeks!! I don't even want to go now.

I wish there was something I could do.

Hello,

Wait, there may be hope!

http://www.rightsite.usaac.army.mil/robo/projects/cc%20help/Urology_Fact_Sheet-Oct_03.doc

however the older version of that fact sheet says-->

"b. As a result of the above considerations, the military services consider it critical to exclude those individuals from serving in the military who are at significant risk for a kidney stone. Factors known to cause kidney stones such as inadequate fluid intake, dehydration and strenuous physical activities are a normal part of a soldier’s life and can produce new stones in those individuals who are predisposed to stone formation. An applicant with a current kidney stone is not waiverable. An applicant with a history of bilateral or stones in both kidneys is not waiverable. An applicant with a history of a kidney stone in one kidney within the past 12 months is not waiverable. An applicant with a history of a kidney stone in one kidney on only one occasion greater than 12 months ago may be considered for waiver. "

I initially remember coming across something that said stones were an automatic yet, I also read something that said a waiver will do. I want to suggest that you get all documentation from when you had the stones because it is dependant upon which type of stones the kidney stones were whether or not they are waivable.

Apparently kidney stones have been problematic for current soldiers due to the arid temperature of where they are serving and the exessive sweat loss and sometimes diminished water intake.

Good luck!! I am hoping for the best for you. Try not to get too down about it, just not yet or even if it doesn't turn out. Hang in there!!

Gen

I'll bet the rations the military give the soldiers out in the field don't help much either...

Thanks for the links!

I have a new plan of action...I hope it works.

Well damn, I guess I should count the military out. I have had kidney stones and gall stones, but I too contributed that to being pregnant.

Does it keep you from being in reserves too?

You might still be ok. I am hearing different things. If you've had 1 stone then you are ok. If you've had more than 1, but they are 12 months apart at least, then you are ok. If they are made out of certain material you are ok...

I'm not sure of the reserves. I haven't researched them.

But my husband's recruiter is going to try and help me out. He helped my husband get in even though he had a medical disqualifying problem, so surely he can get me in. I am not giving up!!