Posted on Oct 31, 2018
Everyone keeps telling me that I'm going to be disqualified for having only one kidney...so when does this disqualification come?
74.3K
1.72K
390
150
145
5
Yeah, I know, you've all told me that I'm never going to get into any branch of the military with only one kidney. The Army has already disqualified me and now I'm in the middle of trying to enlist in the Air Force. People keep telling me that I have no chance of joining, but I'm making more progress than you've all expected. My recruiter has my medical papers and he knows all about my one kidney. And yet, he didn't turn me down and give me an automatic disqualification. He said I can go take the ASVAB, which I took today and scored a 94 on, and then he said that he'll send my scores down to be looked at so that I can be considered for MEPS.
So....when does this so-called "automatic disqualification" show up, because I ain't seeing it. I took the ASVAB, scored high on it, and now I'm being considered for MEPS. And what happens when my recruiter says I'm in the clear for MEPS? What happens when I pass the physical and MEPS lets me swear in? What happens when they notice that my one kidney doesn't impede me in any way? Chances are you all will still be saying "You're never gonna get in! You're disqualified!"
I honestly just typed this up because I like that I'm proving you guys wrong so far. I've made it farther than any of you have anticipated and I'm just the type of guy who likes to rub things in.
So....when does this so-called "automatic disqualification" show up, because I ain't seeing it. I took the ASVAB, scored high on it, and now I'm being considered for MEPS. And what happens when my recruiter says I'm in the clear for MEPS? What happens when I pass the physical and MEPS lets me swear in? What happens when they notice that my one kidney doesn't impede me in any way? Chances are you all will still be saying "You're never gonna get in! You're disqualified!"
I honestly just typed this up because I like that I'm proving you guys wrong so far. I've made it farther than any of you have anticipated and I'm just the type of guy who likes to rub things in.
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 255
That's ok I was stationed on the USS Austin LPD 4. I picked up one of our mess cooks. And he asked how often do I use my brakes on my car. So you should be fine.
(0)
(0)
I certainly hope that they accept you. Frankly, they ought to accept anyone who volunteers. In your case with a waiver where YOU agree that should your kidney fail/be injured, you WILL NOT seek benefits. In 1966 a lifelong dream ended at 21 when I was rejected due to a childhood illness that healed on its own leaving me no less able than anyone else. The military's position was, "hey pal, it could come back." That was in direct opposition to my own Dr. who said I now had the same chance of an occurrence as ANYONE else. I volunteered to execute a waiver as I mentioned and took it all the way up the line where it was rejected again. Same crazy reasoning. Several year later I did manage to make it into the Army (by not saying anything) but my old record came up while in AIT and I was told that I had no career path. My Dad a WW 2 vet and I both agreed that even if you are not 100%, your willingness should outweigh a potential disability. When super star Willie Joe Namath of the New York Jets was rejected due to his knees, my Dad's comment was, there are PLENTY of jobs in the military where the condition of your knees won't matter. I'm 72 now, have never had a re-occurrence of my childhood illness and have had no ill effects from it since. Good luck. There is a question I have though, like me, perhaps you will be kicking yourself in the ass in 50 years. Would they have known if you did not tell them? In my case they would never have found out had I not stupidly brought my medical records along to show how healthy I was. Hah! Dumb move. A few years back a guy made it through USMC boot camp and the crucible with Cystic Fibrosis. He knew it would eventually catch up with him but he wanted to prove he had the mettle and his squad mates covered for him. Loved the story.
(0)
(0)
Find another job. They disqualified 50% of the candidates for the Naval Academy because they had glasses. I was one of the last three candidates. The series Honor Man got the appointment because my answer to the Commander of MCRD San Diego was "I want to kill Communists Sir!" He gave me the chance.
(0)
(0)
I have also seen guys and gals sent home in the middle of boot camp and later at OCS. So the enjoy the wait. Also seen waivers for many things. If you have a waiver then OK. If not, I wouldn't hold your breath or trust your recruiter out right.
(0)
(0)
Well if there is one rule we live by in the military it is two is one and one is none! So good luck...
(0)
(0)
US Army Retired 1st Sgt. went thru 20 years in the Army--Airborne--Ranger and did not find out I had only one kidney until 3 years after I retired thru a medical exam that required an MRI. They ask me when I had my kidney removed--told em I never did and that is the first I knew about having only one kidney--was in army hospitals at least seven times during the 20 years I was in.
(0)
(0)
Please forward this comment to the recruiter and ensure MEPS is aware of your physical limitations. IF you make it to MEPS for the physical and the physician actually signs off on you passing the physical then there should not be an issue. Are you actually going through the process or just blowing hot air?
(0)
(0)
Things may have changed since I got turned down for bad eyesight, but my recruiter warned me that if I knew I had a disqualifying condition (he had a printed list), and tried anyway, I could (not would, could) be liable for federal charges.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next