Posted on Dec 25, 2020
As someone with hemochromatosis and color blindness, is it true that there are no military opportunities, even civilian jobs?
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I've recently learned that hemochromatosis is a disqualifier for any future in the military. But is this 100% true? Are there really no opportunities for me, even in non-combat positions? I spoke with a National Guard recruiter a few years ago, and he told me that I was disqualified, but only because I was then on anxiety medicine. He said that if I were to get off of the medicine, then I would become eligible. However, nearly everyone else, not recruiters, have said that I would be disqualified for having hemochromatosis from every military opportunity. My hemochromatosis does not limit me yet, only in that I need to limit the amount of iron I consume, so I'm not sure why that'd prevent me from having a career in a civilian military area, such as the Army Corps of Engineers. It's been my dream to serve since forever, and I really would love some clarification or even advice.
Posted in these groups: 
Military Career
Career Counselor
Career Advice
Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS)
Medical Board
Military Career Career Counselor Career Advice Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) Medical Board
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 6
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While color blindness would only limit the jobs you could have in the military, hemochromatosis is a disqualifying condition of the hepatic-biliary tract. Though it may be easy to manage on the civilian side, it would become exponentially more difficult when you are stuck eating MREs, whatever the Army provides in Mermites, or living on local sustenance overseas... especially without ready access to labs and medical care. There is also the potential that you could develop liver disease, heart disease/arrhythmias, or further endocrine issues due to hemochromatosis. If that happens after you enlist, the military/VA would be on the hook for your future disability payments/medical care.
The good news is that most medical issues won't limit you from civilian employment with the military or government as long as they don't prevent you from doing your job.
The good news is that most medical issues won't limit you from civilian employment with the military or government as long as they don't prevent you from doing your job.
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Aidan Lally
Would this prevent me from joining the Army Corps of Engineers and other more civilian/homeland jobs/opportunities, if that makes sense?
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CPT (Join to see)
Aidan Lally - There are many GS (civilian) jobs available with the ACE and other government entities that you could apply for. Your medical history shouldn't limit you with those agencies unless you need to be deployable for the position.
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It won’t impact you as a civilian employee unless you have a deployment clause in your contract
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Aidan Lally
Would you mind explaining what a civilian employee exactly means? Does that include work in the Army Corps of Engineers?
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CWO3 (Join to see)
Good info Colonel. An OMB hire, not a NAFI or temp. Try this. https://www.usajobs.gov/
USAJOBS - The Federal Government's official employment site
Search and apply for federal jobs. Learn about unique hiring paths for veterans, students and graduates, individuals with a disability, and more.
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So you have encountered one of the long historic traditions in the military. People talking about stuff they don’t know anything about.
If you want to join work with the recruiters and meps staff. They are the only ones who will pass/fail you on entering the military.
As for civilian Military I assume you are referring to civilians who work for the military. Civilians generally have different standards for employment. Most civilians who work as a contractor or GS for the DOD are prior service, retired or Medical retirees who know longer meet the standards for military service. Unless the specific job has a requirement that prohibits color blindness I think you’ll be fine.
If you want to join work with the recruiters and meps staff. They are the only ones who will pass/fail you on entering the military.
As for civilian Military I assume you are referring to civilians who work for the military. Civilians generally have different standards for employment. Most civilians who work as a contractor or GS for the DOD are prior service, retired or Medical retirees who know longer meet the standards for military service. Unless the specific job has a requirement that prohibits color blindness I think you’ll be fine.
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CWO3 (Join to see)
Recruiters slow roll, catch them on 27th of the month, in a hard month. and try again. We only DQed color vision for certain MOSs, or MEPS did. It is important to distinguish red from green, traffic wise and in electrical sense. Can't speak to the condition he has, never ran across it. He may still be employable as Civil Servant.
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