Does Scoliosis disqualify you from military service?

2017-10-31T19:27:49-04:00

I was talking to my girlfriend the other day about the option of her enlisting in the Army. She has scoliosis. Does this automatically disqualify her from service?

Response by 1SG Russell S. made Oct 31 at 2017 7:29 PM

2017-10-31T19:29:43-04:00

Most likely, however each service has a criteria the MEP physician must follow. The degree of curve is the overall key to if a waiver will be granted.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2017 7:29 PM

2017-10-31T19:29:58-04:00

It depends on the degree of curvature. I'll see if I can find the exact values in a bit.

Response by 1LT Kevin Chapman made Nov 1 at 2017 5:16 AM

2017-11-01T05:16:58-04:00

I know certain branches will disqualify you for having scoliosis. Well, it may be different now. One of my buddies enlisted in 2014, he originally was interested in joining the Navy but once he finally got to MEPS, he ended up getting disqualified for scoliosis. Then he went to an Army recruiter, and he did have to acquire a waiver of some sort, but he enlisted as an Infantryman and completed his training.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Nov 1 at 2017 3:47 PM

2017-11-01T15:47:19-04:00

Audie Kiev I would Say Probably but It sure didn't stop Richard III from being One Mean SOB and One Hell of a Warrior!

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Nov 1 at 2017 4:01 PM

2017-11-01T16:01:42-04:00

Best (and most accurate) way to find out... have her go to the recruiters and sked her for a medical evaluation.

Response by MSgt Ken Flood made Nov 1 at 2017 4:09 PM

2017-11-01T16:09:57-04:00

I didn't know I had it until Basic Training the DI kept yelling at me to stand up straight, all I could say was ...I am. managed to put in 20 years with it never interfered with anything I did. When in formation for ceremonies I had to actually stand tilted, which everyone thought was straight.

Response by A1C Hillary Matchen made Nov 5 at 2017 12:32 AM

2017-11-05T00:32:26-04:00

Air Force will let her. They took me, i just had to to hand in my chiropractor paperwork to prove a doctor had looked at it and corrected the bend to the required %.

Response by A1C Hillary Matchen made Sep 18 at 2020 3:06 AM

2020-09-18T03:06:13-04:00

Depends. If its so bad she had to have rods or pins surgically put in to help her then she cant go in (and don't think about lying about it you could get seriously hurt). If not the bend in your sping has to be less than a certain degree (ask a chiropracter to help if this is the case... Even if they have to rebend your spine like I did).

What the degree is I cant remember. Ask your recruiter to look it up to help her decide.