MEPS DUCK WALK

[NavyVet73]

My fiancé has decided to join the Army, which really worries me. When she was twelve she had two brain surgeries to remove a tumor (none cancerous). The tumor laid on her cerebellum thus severely effecting her balance. Her recruiter told her that she needed a doctor to clear her. After receiving her 1000 page medical record from both surgeries he said the doctor cleared her. I should also add that she is missing the back of her skull, so nothing is protecting her brain from injury there.

Now she more excited than ever, I want to be supportive because she supported me during my military journey. But having been in the military myself, I'm very worried for her not only because of the emotional effects of the military but also the physical. With her condition she can be seriously hurt and put others lives in jeopardy as well.

My MEPS experience was over 10 years ago so I'm fuzzy on the details. But I do remember the duck walk. I never saw or knew of someone who failed it. But I'm almost positive my fiancé will not pass it. What happens if she does fail the duck walk? Will she be disqualified? That you know of given her history do you think the Army would even consider accepting someone with this history?

That last question I ask because her recruiter is TERRIBLE, I've never seen such unprofessionalism in a recruiter during my entire DEPS process. And it seems like he is just pushing anyone through to meet his quota. A recruiter is supposed to guide you through this process and answer any questions you may have concerning your processing. He doesn't even attempt to do any of that, his answer for every question she has is I don't know, you need to ask the Sergeant.

[ArmyNurse55, BSN, MSN, RN]

NavyVet:

It would seem that she would be DQ'd when she enters MEPS and fills out the long questionnaire regarding past medical and surgical history:

Head

The causes for rejection for appointment, enlistment, and induction are:

a. Injuries, including severe contusions and other wounds of the scalp and cerebral concussion, until a period of 3 months has elapsed.

b. Deformities of the skull, face, or jaw of a degree that would prevent the individual from wearing a protective mask or military headgear.

c. Defects, loss or congenital absence of the bony substance of the skull not successfully corrected by reconstructive materials, or leaving residual defect in excess of 1 square inch (6.45 centimeter (cm) 2 ) or the size of a 25 cent piece.

Tumors and Malignant Diseases

The causes for rejection for appointment, enlistment, and induction are:

a. Benign tumors (M8000) that interfere with function, prevent wearing the uniform or protective equipment, would require frequent specialized attention, or have a high malignant potential.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

Missing part of the skull seems like a deal breaker to me as well. When you say a doctor cleared her, which doctor was that? A military doctor?