Can I join the military reserves or get a waiver to join if I have hemochromatosis?

Aidan Lally — Sat, 26 Dec 2020 15:34:21 -0500

I know that I can't join active duty if I have hemochromatosis, unless I have a waiver, which I'm unsure of the likelihood of that. However, I don't know if I am ineligible to join the reserves, such as the Army reserves. I know I should probably talk to a recruiter for the official answer, which I have begun the process of, but I'm just wondering what you guys would think.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2020 3:36 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Dec 2020 15:36:14 -0500

If you can’t join Active because of the condition, you can’t join the reserved or NG without a waiver.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Dec 26 at 2020 3:42 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sat, 26 Dec 2020 15:42:27 -0500

A health bar is a Bar regardless which section of a service you join- all are required to pass the same standards.

Response by MSgt Don VandeBogert made Dec 26 at 2020 3:47 PM

MSgt Don VandeBogert — Sat, 26 Dec 2020 15:47:34 -0500

The only way to find out how difficult is to talk to a recruiter.

Good luck.

V/R
Bogie

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2020 3:49 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Dec 2020 15:49:34 -0500

Extremely difficult given its relation to liver disease and other disorders to vital organs.

Just remember, there are other ways to serve your country without serving in the military. The military as a whole is not going to knowingly take an individual with a condition like yours.

Please keep your questions within this thread if they pertain to this topic.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2020 3:53 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Dec 2020 15:53:47 -0500

As others have mentioned on your previous posts, this is a disqualifying condition and no one can tell you how difficult it would be to obtain a waiver. You need to talk to a recruiter.

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/as-someone-with-hemochromatosis-and-color-blindness-is-it-true-that-there-are-no-military-opportunities-even-civilian-jobs

As someone with hemochromatosis and color blindness, is it true that there are no military...

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,...

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2020 6:23 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Dec 2020 18:23:42 -0500

Not something you’d want to have flare up out in the field. Even healthy people have issues out in the field when you are eating 1-2 MREs per day and doing tons of physical labor. They really throw your body for a loop the first few days you are consuming them.

Dehydration with that condition would be a huge issue in the field.

If you want to serve then I would suggest going something medical and then working for the DOD as a civilian or the VA and help serve that way.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2020 11:09 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Dec 2020 23:09:40 -0500

Talk to a recruiter and find out, but don't be surprised if you have to shop around to find one willing to work for you. Because it is unlikely that you'll receive a waiver, recruiters may ghost you in order to put their efforts towards potential recruits not requiring any waivers. Based on your PMH of anxiety with medication use, hemochromatosis, and color-blindness, you will be disqualified at MEPS. Then, your recruiter would submit a waiver request on your behalf. Honestly, I would be shocked if another medical provider signed off on that waiver due to future risks to your health, but you don't know unless you try. If you don't try, you will always wonder "what if." But if you try and are denied, at least you know you gave it your best shot. You will have closure on that chapter of your life and can move on to your next goal.

Response by SSG Laurie Mullen made Dec 27 at 2020 12:31 AM

SSG Laurie Mullen — Sun, 27 Dec 2020 00:31:14 -0500

You don't have to answer this if you don't want to to. How often do you need to get blood drawn? My twin brother has it and he starts to feel bad when he gets close to needing it done and the blood draw knocks him on his butt for a day or two afterwards. I think he's finally gotten to where he only needs regular monitoring, but he has to watch his diet very carefully.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Dec 27 at 2020 1:23 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sun, 27 Dec 2020 01:23:08 -0500

Aidan Lally AD or Reserve Component, all six branches, it's the same medical standards. References:
- AR40-501 https://armypubs.army.mil/ProductMaps/PubForm/Details.aspx?PUB_ID=1004688
- DoDI 6130.03 https://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nmotc/nami/arwg/Documents/WaiverGuide/DODI_6130.03_JUL12.pdf

Ensure you' re looking at entry standards and not retention standards. Anything disqualifying requires a waiver. Some standards are NOT waivable. Each DQ condition or status requires a waiver. Multiple waivers do not help the applicant, especially if there are fully qualified applicants that require no waivers.

Go see a recruiter. If they take you to MEPS and they permanently DQ you, that is it.

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Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Dec 27 at 2020 9:59 AM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Sun, 27 Dec 2020 09:59:57 -0500

Jebus Crimminy troop! How many times are you going to ask this question? I've seen at a minimum three threads now where you've asked the exact same question and gotten the exact same answers.