Posted on Sep 19, 2018
I've officially sent in my medical papers to the Air Force. How long will I have to wait to see if I can enlist?
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Back in April 2017, I sent in medical papers to my Air Force recruiter to see if I can enlist. My papers were about my one and only kidney that I was born with. But to this day, I still haven't heard back from him and I feel like he just blew me off.
Now I've just sent in my medical papers to a different recruiter and he said that he'll send them in to be reviewed and see if I can join the Air Force. My worry is that my doctor has made notes of occasional bouts of pain in my abdominal area from my kidney and he made mention of one incident when I had to be sent home early by my boss because of the pain that got in the way of work. I've also recently experienced some recent pain again and my doctor made note of that as well. I feel like I'm done for if the military sees these mentions of pain.
Aside from that, I also want to know how long I'll have to wait. I don't want to get blown off again like last time and I at least want to go to MEPS, take the ASVAB, and let them know that I want to work in security forces. I'm hoping that they'll be more lenient with only one kidney since security is different from being an airman. Do I have a legit shot at enlisting this time? Can I get a waiver?
Now I've just sent in my medical papers to a different recruiter and he said that he'll send them in to be reviewed and see if I can join the Air Force. My worry is that my doctor has made notes of occasional bouts of pain in my abdominal area from my kidney and he made mention of one incident when I had to be sent home early by my boss because of the pain that got in the way of work. I've also recently experienced some recent pain again and my doctor made note of that as well. I feel like I'm done for if the military sees these mentions of pain.
Aside from that, I also want to know how long I'll have to wait. I don't want to get blown off again like last time and I at least want to go to MEPS, take the ASVAB, and let them know that I want to work in security forces. I'm hoping that they'll be more lenient with only one kidney since security is different from being an airman. Do I have a legit shot at enlisting this time? Can I get a waiver?
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Enlisted
Enlisted
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 7
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Unfortunately, the absence of a kidney is a permanent medical disqualification. It is not waiverable. The Army regulation that covers this is AR 40-501, para 2-15 f. (1), but it is a condition that is disqualifying for all branches. There are certain medical fitness standards that are universal for enlistment into the military, and others specific to branch or MOS (job). For example, color blindness is not a disqualification for enlistment, but a disqualifier for certain jobs. Keep in contact with the recruiter, they owe you the courtesy of looking you in the eye and explaining the disqualification to you and not just ignore you.
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Madison Holloway
What do you mean it's "not waiverable"? My recruiter from last year said that I might get a waiver if I'm able to prove that the one kidney is perfectly functional and healthy by itself.
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SFC Kelly Fuerhoff
Madison Holloway - And you haven't heard from that recruiter in a year - right? That recruiter blew some smoke up your ass.
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SFC J Fullerton
There are recruiters out there that are new and inexperienced that don't have enough knowledge of the regulations to definitively disqualifying someone themselves, and rely on some higher authority to do that for them. Add in that most new recruiters get so excited that they met someone who is actually interested in enlisting after being rejected so many times already, that they are reluctant to accept that they are disqualified. When they finally do realize that there is no chance, they avoid the applicant because they are uncomfortable with telling someone no. Its not fair to the applicant, you deserve the courtesy of having it explained to you, or shown in writing.
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You have three posts on the same topic - your one kidney. As the responses indicated from your previous posts, you will not be able to enlist. Since you have ignored the excellent responses from the first two posts, and want to continue arguing your case, you must be a troll.
SSG(P) James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4"
SSG(P) James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4"
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Sgt (Join to see)
SSG(P) James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" - These are the names of the other two Posts that asked a question.
Can I still work Security Forces in the Air Force with only one kidney?
Can I join the Air Force with only one kidney?
Can I still work Security Forces in the Air Force with only one kidney?
Can I join the Air Force with only one kidney?
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I'm sorry, but as you have been told, you're medically disqualified from military service. A soldier, sailor, airman or marine, with one kidney, is an unacceptable liability. I respect your desire to serve, but you're not capable of doing that. You may be able to serve your country through other forms of federal service. There are several federal agencies that with whom you can apply. Depending on your education level, you can apply to the FBI, ATFE, Secret Service, ICE, Marshal Service, Parks, Forestry, DEA, and Homeland Security. These all provide significantly to the national security. You can also apply to any number of federal agencies for regulatory jobs. Please look at usajobs.gov. This is a resource for civilian employment with the federal government.
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