Posted on Dec 5, 2013
Are there any waivers for peanut allergies for joining the military?
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<p>My friend's daughter is attempting to become a Marine. She has met with the Recruiter, been working on her physical fitness, and passed their testing, and has been to MEPS for their testing. At MEPS she was advised that due to her peanut allergy, she is disqualified. Her allergy is not the anaphylaxis type, and I have seen where Soldiers were given Epipens before. Can one of the MEPS SMEs advise if #1 there is another route she can go, or are there waivers for this and #2 does this disqualify her from ALL services? </p><p> </p><p>Thanks so much.</p>
Posted in these groups: 
Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS)MCRC
8411: Basic Recruiter8412: Career Recruiter
Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS)MCRC 8411: Basic Recruiter8412: Career Recruiter
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 9
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SSG Best,<div><br></div><div>Here is what the Standards of Medical Fitness AR 40-501 says:</div><div><br></div><div>2-30 Systemic Diseases</div><div>Pg 17:</div><div><br></div><div>
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<p><span style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; font-style: italic">j. </span><span style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'">History of anaphylaxis (995.0), including, but not limited to idiopathic and exercise-induced; anaphylaxis to
venom, including stinging insects (989.5); FOOD OR FOOD ADDITIVES (995.60–69); or to natural rubber latex (989.82),
does not meet the standard. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'"><br></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'">Hopefully this clears things up, you will find this information on her actual physical examination forms, the 2807-1 and/or 2808</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; font-style: italic">j. </span><span style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'">History of anaphylaxis (995.0), including, but not limited to idiopathic and exercise-induced; anaphylaxis to
venom, including stinging insects (989.5); FOOD OR FOOD ADDITIVES (995.60–69); or to natural rubber latex (989.82),
does not meet the standard. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'"><br></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'">Hopefully this clears things up, you will find this information on her actual physical examination forms, the 2807-1 and/or 2808</span></p>
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HN Lee Ann Wright
When you say "does not meet the standard" do you mean that the person who is anaphylactic is not fit for duty and could be medically discharged?
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SFC A.M. Drake
You would have to have the medical personnel/ physician determine that from your service reps at the local MEPS. I can only go by what Army regulations says about particular conditions.
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SGM Erik Marquez
HN Lee Ann Wright - "When you say "does not meet the standard" do you mean that the person who is anaphylactic is not fit for duty and could be medically discharged?"
Commonly, when the medical standards say that its a disqualify for entrance as a potential recruit, but a serving member that is diagnosed later in service with this would be evaluated and then a decision would be made to retain and protect (avoid this and that when possible, but hey since your reaction was non life threatening, here is an EPPIPEN and go forth do great things) or medically separate
Commonly, when the medical standards say that its a disqualify for entrance as a potential recruit, but a serving member that is diagnosed later in service with this would be evaluated and then a decision would be made to retain and protect (avoid this and that when possible, but hey since your reaction was non life threatening, here is an EPPIPEN and go forth do great things) or medically separate
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SSG B There are a few things that could happen in this case. Did they apply for a medical waiver from the Marine Corps? Being that she went to the MEPS and was disqualified, it is for "ALL Services" and even if she goes to another MEPS that will follow her. She could apply for another service and maybe get a medical waiver approved, I have seen "A LOT" of medical waivers approved for the Army for peanut allgerys, as it can be advoided. The MEPS will not do testing, they go by what the applicant tells them, and only what they tell them, meaning if she told the dr that she was allgeric to peanuts, that is all s/he heard, not what happen with it and s/he disqualifies the applicant. Are there any medical documents of what happen during the incident? Long and short she might be able to get in, but it want be a easy process. What MEPS did she go to?
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SFC Francisco Rosario
Just for my general information, will this allergy limit the applicant to certain MOSs or will the applicant be able to apply for anything?
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SSG Best,
Please go to AR 40-501 is what MEPS use to qualify or disqualify applicants. MEPS is the gateway for all the Armed Forces if she gets a PDQ or Permanent Disqualification then she is barred from applying again, hopefully this is not the case. One other thing, how do you know that her allergy is not the anaphylaxis type? Unless you have a note from her allergist? The soldiers that was given Epipens I gather they are in the service already and not trying to apply to get in correct? The DOD services are not going to take the risk of a health concern, when there are enough in the pool that does not have any issues. Hopes this helps
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SFC (Join to see)
Thank you SFC Drake. Her mother advised that part to me and the allergist and the "hopeful" candidate have both written letters regarding this. I will ask about the PDQ and check into 40-501. Thank you again so much.
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