What are my chances of getting a medical waiver in the Army?

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I am a 36 year old male and have 16 years of prior service in the Army National Guard (enlisted). I am currently in an Associates program in Nursing at a two-year college and will be 40 when I finish. I have a Masters degree in another subject, so I think that my prior service and combined education will both be helpful in my getting a spot in the Nurse Corps (Reserves or ARNG). I have been told that you can get a commission in the Nurse Corps with an Associates in the Reserves.

However, I was diagnosed with Crohns Disease (an intestinal ailment related to Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Colitis) in 1993. I have had surgery (in '93) and am currently okay and not on amy meds. The Army never made a big deal about it while I was "in". But, I have now been told that I am medically disqualified from coming back. What are my chances of getting a waiver for a commission in the Nurse Corps (Reserve or Guard) if I am otherwise qualified? (I am hoping that, with the current recruiting situation and the aftereffects of the war in Iraq, I may have some hope of getting back into the service).

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I am a 36 year old male and have 16 years of prior service in the Army National Guard (enlisted). I am currently in an Associates program in Nursing at a two-year college and will be 40 when I finish. I have a Masters degree in another subject, so I think that my prior service and combined education will both be helpful in my getting a spot in the Nurse Corps (Reserves or ARNG). I have been told that you can get a commission in the Nurse Corps with an Associates in the Reserves.

However, I was diagnosed with Crohns Disease (an intestinal ailment related to Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Colitis) in 1993. I have had surgery (in '93) and am currently okay and not on amy meds. The Army never made a big deal about it while I was "in". But, I have now been told that I am medically disqualified from coming back. What are my chances of getting a waiver for a commission in the Nurse Corps (Reserve or Guard) if I am otherwise qualified? (I am hoping that, with the current recruiting situation and the aftereffects of the war in Iraq, I may have some hope of getting back into the service).

The big issue will be your ability to deploy or not, thats a tough one. Can't really give you an answer. Best bet is to just try.

Mike

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I am a 36 year old male and have 16 years of prior service in the Army National Guard (enlisted). I am currently in an Associates program in Nursing at a two-year college and will be 40 when I finish. I have a Masters degree in another subject, so I think that my prior service and combined education will both be helpful in my getting a spot in the Nurse Corps (Reserves or ARNG). I have been told that you can get a commission in the Nurse Corps with an Associates in the Reserves.

However, I was diagnosed with Crohns Disease (an intestinal ailment related to Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Colitis) in 1993. I have had surgery (in '93) and am currently okay and not on amy meds. The Army never made a big deal about it while I was "in". But, I have now been told that I am medically disqualified from coming back. What are my chances of getting a waiver for a commission in the Nurse Corps (Reserve or Guard) if I am otherwise qualified? (I am hoping that, with the current recruiting situation and the aftereffects of the war in Iraq, I may have some hope of getting back into the service).

Contact an Army Healthcare Recruiter and explain your situation to them. They are usually well aware of getting around barriers preventing you from being physically qualified for service. From my experience they will do everything they can to get you in.

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Contact an Army Healthcare Recruiter and explain your situation to them. They are usually well aware of getting around barriers preventing you from being physically qualified for service. From my experience they will do everything they can to get you in.

They are right the first thing that you need to do is to get a copy of your DD214,medical records civilian also and a copy of your resume or CV and the find the local Army Healthcare recruiter @healthcare.goarmy.com and they will surely help you get in if there is a way. What is the closet city you live near?

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Newark, NJ or New York City. Philly is not too far. Is that where these recruiters are located?

I still have some time (about three years) before I finish the ADN program I'm in. My hope is that I can focus on finishing the program and getting into the Nurse Corps, since it had been an aspiration of mine for years to be a commissioned officer. Then, maybe I can do a "bridge" program and move directly into an MSN program.

By the way, can a Nurse Corp officer get promoted past CPT without a BSN or MSN? I know that line officers in the reserve and guard must have a minimum of a BA/BS to make O-3 and preferably a Masters to move to O-4 and beyond.

They are right the first thing that you need to do is to get a copy of your DD214,medical records civilian also and a copy of your resume or CV and the find the local Army Healthcare recruiter @healthcare.goarmy.com and they will surely help you get in if there is a way. What is the closet city you live near?
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You are correct you can get promoted. To Capt.

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