Do YOU want to Enlist but b/c of WLS you can't?

Hi all.  I asked a question yesterday about joing the Army and got an array of responses.  All of which were GREAT!  I DID talk to a recruiter for the Army National Guard Friday Morning and was finally given the news this afternoon about noon.  At first I was upset, then I was MAD and now I am LIVID!!!!  I know at least 3 of the posters on my previous thread expressed an interest in enlisting in whatever branch.  Me the Army because of age.  And I researched the Army Medical Standards which were last updated FEB of 2005 and it was thrown in as an afterthought!   I know there are many who believe that I am on some kind of "special" diet and that this would in some way hinder me.  BUT I AM NOT!  I am 3 yrs post op, at my goal weight and aside from issues with gall bladder in the 1st 30 days out I have had no major issues.  One poster on previous thread stated that if you are in and have it its ok, because you are already trained and have all of that under your belt and the military does not want to spend money to train us "IN CASE".  Well I am not BUYING that BS.  EVERY individual that joins is a risk.  EVERY ONE!!!  Whether a flight risk, a injury or some one looses it, there are always risks.  Every employer including the military goes through this.  Spending time and money to train individuals who may or may not make the cut.  I am pissed that some entity that has not a clue of what I can do is not at least willing to talk to me and hear what I have to say.  Especially when the recruit #'s are so low.  When every person willing and able should be given the oppurtunity to serve thier Country! I am willing to walk away from my job, my husband, my comfortable life and DEFEND this GREAT NATION and I am really ticked that I, because I made a decision to take control of my weight and my life 3 yrs ago, albiet considered drastic, now I can't do WHAT I wanted to do 21 yrs ago but was too Overweight to do!  Would they have let me join at 330lbs, well HELL NO!  But now I have a smaller damn stomach and I can't.  My basic comment is this! IF YOU COULD GET A WAIVER WOULD YOU JOIN!   RIGHT NOW!!??   I ask because, BY GOD I am not taking this laying DOWN!  I want to fight beside my Country MEN and WOMEN for my COUNTRY and I am willing to put a little Bee in the Big Militaries Bonnet to do SO!  Would you do it too?   On my previous thread a responder stated the increase in militaries medical waivers would cover say an old Knee Surgery!  HMMMM!  Interestingly enough, my "little" Stomach would not suddenly give out on me if running in BCT or AIT or in the Sand, or mountains or out the door for Gods sake.  I am pissed that they can take THAT RISK but not one on ME!   I have this special diet,that is very damn laughable, let's see............................. I ate scrambled eggs and toast this morning with coffee, then for lunch I had Chinese, a little of several items!  and for dinner taco salad.  Damn I am alot more different then all the non WLS's out there huh!  Oh yeah, I had some Ritz crackers, 5 to be exact for a mid afternoon snack.  DAMN ME for being so different!  Oops I forgot I had Unsweet tea all day too!  If you are interested in stirring up enough of a voice to maybe get the Disqualifier changed, or given a case by case review, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE contact me.  I have several friends already on it!  I am gonna get a MEPS Dr to review my case and I am gonna get someone to sit up and take notice that just BECAUSE I don't eat as much as they do, that I can STILL FIGHT FOR MY COUNTRY!!!! I am not a QUITER, never have BEEN and I am not about to START NOW!  If you are serious and want to make the BEE bigger and stronger PLEASE contact me.  First I am teased and discriminated on because I was Obese and NOW because I did something about IT I am being discrimated against.  Military does not want to spend money to train me in case, well last damn time I checked EVERY working individual was footing the bill and I want my small portion put to work for ME! I appreciate all responses but please contact me personally if you feel the same.  One person can't change much but 2+ can damn sure get them to take notice! Thanks for listening, reading and supporting!   Angie ps.  I posted this exact post on the main message board but I know not everyone visits there.  I am in Meridian. MS

No. I'm too old. I would also be a risk for the military because of my dietary needs. It would cost more for them to make me into something they could use than what I would contribute even though my killing instinct are very strong ( ;-) ). I would suggest taking a gig on a base as a civilian employee. You can have your sugar free cake and eat it too. Civies do a lot for the military and they don't have to worry about the dietary concerns. kp Edit - Too old and smelly.

Angie,

Sorry your so upset, and proud of you for being such a partriot......but...........I'm not suprised the Army is reluctant to recruit you. I worked as a civilian for the Army for 27years. Just retired a few months ago. My job put me in a position that I helped individual soldiers get crutial parts to fix downed HMMWVs. So, most of my guys were in Iraq and Afghanistan.

I also see the Army's side of this. Anyone who joins the reserves is VERY likely to go to "play in the sand".  Tours are generally 6months to 1 year. You'd be there in the summer when the temps are about 120-130 degrees on a cool day. Hotter yet in an Army vehicle with your helmet, flack vest, and boots on. Soldiers with full size stomachs have a hard time getting enough water in, I don't know if we "pouchers" could stay hydrated.   The soldiers stationed in cities like Baghdad have every kid of food you can imagine on base and I'm sure that wouldn't be a problem. Eating intervals might though.  You work till the job is done, meals don't interfer. I worked for one special ops Major known for his long meeting that started at 0800 and were still going strong until 1400. When asked for a lunch break he respond  "hunger is a sign of weakness". That's the mindset. Soldiers on patrol or in remote bases might live on MRE's for an extended period of time. Not a wide selection there. I'm not sure what the sugar content is, but I suspect nothing is sugar free. Don't think it would be possible for you to carry your own, you'd be loaded down with other  required gear. I understand they don't carry any additional stuff because the required gear is so heavy.  In the worse case senerio, what if you were in a 15hr. firefight? They don't have time to eat, and if you got sick from not eating, you'd not only be at risk, but the other soldiers depending on you doing your job would also be at risk.   I think the Army is also reluctant to recruit a WLS patient because of lifelong liability. If you developed ulcers while in service, the Army might have to provide medical and possibly financial care for the rest of your life.  What has your WLS and PCP said about this?  Again, I applaud your patriotism. Have you considered serving in another capacity?  I agree with Kevin on that point.........but Civies in Iraq eat what soldiers eat. sleep where soldiers sleep........and get their @$$$$ shot at too.

Okay, if this is about a prospective employer saying that you don't meet their qualifications, get a lawyer, or look for a  job with another employer.

If it is about patriotism and politics, it doesn't belong on OH.

There is no need to make multiple postings about not getting a job.

you had RNY right?  before you had your surgery did you do consults with doctors, nutritionists, psychologists etc?  did they discuss to you the lifelong risks of this surgery?  the alterations necessary in your lifestyle?  they should have.  you have done a considerable alteration to your body and you are now at risk for other problems and you require a bit more than just "less food" to be healthy. You're going to find it's hard to get health insurance and life insurance also.  I don't agree that every person willing and able should be able to serve their country by being in the military.  not at all. 

you might want to contact your  congress people for your state......and see if they will advocate for you..........good luck, rae