Can I join the Air Force with only one kidney?

Madison Holloway — Sun, 09 Sep 2018 13:05:40 -0400

Back in January of 2017, I tried to enlist in the Army, but was given a PDQ for being born with one kidney. Shortly after that, I talked with an Air Force recruiter and he told me to gather up my medical docs regarding my kidney and he'll send them in for review to see if I can join or not. He said that I'd find out in about 3-4 weeks.

But after that, they never got back to me and I had to contact them. Again, I was told to gather up my medical docs and send them in and wait for a response.

It's been well over a year since I first talked to the recruiter and I'm wondering what's going on. Is it normal to wait this long, assuming that he's trying to get me a medical waiver? Do I actually have a shot at joining the Air Force or should I just move on? What's going on?

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2018 4:32 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Sep 2018 16:32:33 -0400

Madison Holloway As mentione by MSG (Anonymous),
missing a kidney is a permanent disqualification. Thank you for wanting to serve.

https://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/disqualifiers-medical-conditions.html

Medical Conditions That May Prevent You From Joining the Military

These standards generally apply to all branches of the military. None of them are automatic disqualifiers, just red flags.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Sep 10 at 2018 12:27 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Mon, 10 Sep 2018 12:27:17 -0400

What's going on is the recruiter doesn't have the chops to tell you straight out. Easy to take paperwork and never get back to you. BTW always check real directives/regulations, not what published in the various rags. Sometimes they get it out of context. Nobody is going to "waiver" a DoD Instruction. They don't have the authority. Sorry the recruiter improperly strung you out.

"i. Absence of one kidney, congenital or acquired."

http://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/613003p.pdf?ver=2018-05-04-113917-883

613003p.pdf

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Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2018 2:20 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Sep 2018 14:20:16 -0400

If it's a permanent disqualification I doubt it. One of my daughter's physical therapists told me her husband tried to go active duty again after he got out and he couldn't because somehow his kidneys fused together and they classified that as one kidney. They wouldn't let him in the Army again with that.

The only way you can serve with one kidney is if you are a living donor while on active duty or a recipient already on active duty. A recipient becomes non deployable however.

I would move on from the military. I highly doubt it will happen.

Response by PFC Elijah Rose made Sep 12 at 2018 1:56 AM

PFC Elijah Rose — Wed, 12 Sep 2018 01:56:29 -0400

I know why you're uneasy, it's totally up to some bureaucrat who'll sign off on it whenever they get around to it. But I don't know why they would disqualify you for that, that condition hasn't given you any trouble over the years, has it? You don't have to take some special medicine, do you?

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made Sep 14 at 2018 11:19 AM

SFC Jim Ruether — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 11:19:11 -0400

You need to be proactive regarding your suitability for military service. If you have ever seen a recruiters or clerks desk in the military its a huge mess and things unfortunately get misplaced, filed awaiting action or just plain lost. Make phone calls and bring duplicates of everything the doctors say about your condition as well and Good Luck to you! From what you say in your story you sound like the kind of person Uncle Sam needs desperately in our Military.

Response by SGT Darin Jenkins made Sep 14 at 2018 11:52 PM

SGT Darin Jenkins — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 23:52:06 -0400

Just move on you will NEVER be able to join.

Response by SGT Darin Jenkins made Sep 14 at 2018 11:53 PM

SGT Darin Jenkins — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 23:53:04 -0400

No, you will NEVER be able to join. Just, move on.

Response by Jake Wojahn made Jul 30 at 2019 10:44 AM

Jake Wojahn — Tue, 30 Jul 2019 10:44:17 -0400

Did you get into the air Force?