Gastric Bypass vs Military

Ok, so I know that most of you reading this are going to freak, but I have a really big question!

Why does gastric bypass immediately disqualify a person from joining the military?

Before you comment and give me a list of all of the "possibilities" please make sure that you consider both sides of the coin.  I'll explain.  I've not lost all of my weight, but when I reach goal or military standards for joining, I was thinking about joining the service.  Yeah, it sounds crazy, but I really feel like I was meant to do more than just be a housewife.  I am earning this degree, and I want it to work for me.  IF I join, I would definitely want to become an officer from the get-go. 

Now, the next question is...which branch of service.  I'll start with the Marines.  When I spoke with a recruiter yesterday asking the "tough" questions...I wanted to know what their policy is for prospective people who have had gastric bypass.  The Marines just said that they needed to be 1 yr post op and non dependent on any medications from the surgery.  So far, neither applies to me..which is ok, because I won't have my degree until March 2010.  Looking ahead though, I will be 1 yr post op in November and 4 months after I will graduate with a degree.  So, I would qualify to join by March 2010--YAY!  So, that's the Marines.

Next, is the Navy.  The recruiter I spoke with early in the day said that I would not be able to use my online degree for any of the Naval Officer Programs.  So, I called another person.  He said the other guy was whack.  He said that as long as my school is regionally accredited...my degree would qualify me for any of their programs.  SO, check!  The bad news is that the Navy consideres gastric bypass as an immediate disqualifier.  The recruiter DID say that their policy changes often, and I should check back in 6 months to see if there is a change.  So, here's my idea...if things work out and I meet Navy requirements, and I am working on my degree....take all of my medical documentation to the recruiter so they can submit it to the Docs.  I am really hoping that will give me the chance to get a waiver.  If so, and I continue to have no problems from surgery, I could join the Navy.

Next, is the Air Force.  I called and spoke with a recruiter yesterday.  They will accept my degree and they want me to come in when I have met weight standards for the Air Force (which is about 77 lbs from now).  They want to submit a package up to the Docs and see if I will be eligible to join once I have reached my 1 yr post op.  Basically, we discussed that gastric bypass patients will have to be determined on a case by case basis because not everyone gets out smoothly without little to no complications.  I'm all for that. 

Last was the Army.  They told me that gastric bypass was immediate disqualifing, and so I told them...BYE. Who wants to join the army anyway...LOL!

Now I am faced with more questions: 


*Which branch of service would most benefit my family's needs?
*What will I do with the kids while I am in bootcamp?
*What will I do with the kids while I am in OCS?

So far, I've been thinking that the Navy would be more able to place me in an area with Curt (since he is a Marine).  I don't want him to give up his career because I want to pursue one, but at the same time...why do I have to sacrifice all of my dreams so he can accomplish his?  What would be the happy medium?  The Navy would provide the ability for us to stay together easier than any other branch of service.  The turn-off is the dismissal from the "jackass" of a recruiter that I first spoke with yesterday.  He didn't want to give me the time of day.  I don't want to hear NO as an answer.  For this reason, the Air Force looks really good.  They were helpful, considerate, and willing to do anything to find the answer I was looking for.  The problem is that the possibility Curt and I will be stationed together is highly unlikely.  Again, I am faced with that whole "change your job" thing.  The Air Force is more dedicated to families, deployments are roughly 3-6 months, and they have a lot more benefits for the families.  The other choice I have is to join the Marines.  It would be very likely that Curt and I can be stationed together, more-so than any other branch.  They have the longest bootcamp (and I'm scared).  We've been associated with this lifestyle for almost 6 years, and it might be an easier transition over the other branches of service. 

You are probably wondering WHY I am even considering the military period.  Ok, here's my logic.  I've really been wondering about what to use my degree for.  I could struggle to find a job that MIGHT pay for my student loans, but in this economy...the chances are slim that I will find the right fit.  Next, if we get orders, I lose that job and have to start all over.  Also there is the possibility of lay-off because of the economy.  If I chose the military I would be guaranteed: repayment of student loans, a paycheck for the length of my contract (which would allow me to re-up as needed), BAH-(half for me or Curt-depending on branch of service), BAS (same as BAH).  I would have free medical for life, so whenever the kids are grown we wouldn't have to pay for health insurance.  If we both stay in until retirement (that's 2 retirement checks) and whatever else we decide to do after military. 

Long story short, I don't want to look back on my life with regret.  I've always held a special place in my heart for the military, and it would be awesome to share in that service experience. There is a song that speaks of looking back over your life with regret, and it's Carrie Underwood's Wasted.  Here is the chorus:

Cause' I don't wanna' spend my life jaded
Waiting to wake up one day and find
That I've let all these years go by
Wasted

Oh I don't wanna' keep on wishing, missing
The still of the morning, the color of the night
I ain't spending no more time
Wasted

 

Now, please understand....I don't think I've not been successful because I DO have a beautiful family, loving husband, and two precious children.  However, we each need self-fulfillment and feel that our lives have purpose.  I know I was meant to be a Mom and wife, but I really feel I was meant for more, too. 



 

Thanks for reading.....and I want to know your thoughts about gastric bypass disqualifying someone from joining



 

Hope to read your comments soon!  Have a blessed day!


 

Until next time.....PEACE!

I wanted to do the same thing when I started loosing the weight, I have 2 brothers that are Marines and I wanted nothing more than to join the service right along with them... how ever after being almost a year and half out I honestly don't know "for me anyways" if it is physically possible.  When you are in bootcamp you have to eat what they give you, when they give it to you and FAST. The marines force you to guzzle water through out the day.  Physically I would not be able to keep up with having to drink so much and have to eat so fast, what happens if you dump in the middle of boot camp after something you eat does not agree with you?  If you havn't dumped really bad before... its not fun, I have dumped so bad I could not get off the floor, now imagine feeling like that and then having to do PT or something at the same time your dumping.
Our bodies are now physically restricted and does give us limitations... as much as I support your efforts  you really have to look at whether or not it is realistic.  I have already been told by the marines and the army there is no way they will take me because of my Gastric Bypass surgery...

I've considered those possibilities, but that's mainly why I wasn't looking 100% at joining the Marines.  I wouldn't want to receive special treatment in bootcamp because of my surgery.  I've thought about how fast they must eat (and the quantity--which we could only do like less than half) and how I would do nutritionally.  Also, I've not had much problem with drinking water...and not that I gulp it down, but I can drink a pretty decent amount opposed to just getting a little sip here and there.  I need water.  If I have to take vitamins, I have to have more than a sip to get that down. 

Anyway, I think joining the military is a realistic goal. Just because I can't eat as much as others or force myself to "overeat" or guzzle....should that mean that I can't fulfill a goal of joining the military?  Besides, after bootcamp....what likelyhood is there that I would HAVE to do those same techniques each and every day....very slim.  It would ensure I stay in shape, and work towards keeping the weight off.    I wouldn't want to join the Army, and the Marines aren't my first choice. 

I mentioned that I spoke with a recruiter from each branch of service, and basically...it boils down to this: Finding a recruiter that will submit medical documents to support YOU in joining the branch of service of your choice.  If they've met their quota...they won't give you the time of day because they have to "do more work" than normal. 

Wow, did U ever provide detail. Good for you I say! Now I should state I am ex Navy enlisted. My advise it yes going in as a office would be better pay and benefits. I would also consider SERIOUSLY doing the RESERVES. Yes U will still get the benefits, it would be easier to be close to your husband but understand there are no guarantees from ANY of the branches of the military. Also remember that the recruiters are under a quota, all of them are. I used to date a recruiter so I am basing this off my experience dating him. There are some that will tell U anything just to make the quota. They make quota they get bonus money! As for the medical aspect of the issue. You anatomy is altered. In a war/attack situation if something were to happen to you, how would the field medic and doctors know? How would they be able to treat you? Will you be able to meet the nutritional needs of your body eating MRE's? If you can not meet the nutritional needs and have to be medically discharged, would it effect your ability to draw compensation/pension? I know you are thinking about the positive side, but you need to consider all of this as well. I use the VA medical benefit all the time and I see a lot of things and talk to a lot of vets. Good luck.

There are some that will tell U anything just to make the quota. They make quota they get bonus money!

I wish!   Yes...they have a quota each month.  But they most certainly DO NOT get bonus money for signing you up!  Believe me....my husband is on Marine Corps recruiting duty right now and will be for the next 2 1/2 years!

What about deployment? You have two kids that need at least one of their parents, if possible. Are there healthy grandparents in the picture that would be willing to care for your children? Are you okay with the idea of being away for weeks, months or even a year+? Is there any guarantee that you and your hubby would be stationed together? Is it in writing? I realize that you want fullfillment and I think the military has a lot to offer. My hesitation is the fact you have children and a husband already at the "beck and call" of Uncle Sam.

What are you getting your degree in? There are several loan forgiveness programs out there through the federal government including ones for those who teach or work for non-profit organizations. If your family has been surviving on his income and you will only have student loan repayment to worry about maybe you could find a job in your field, not necessarily your dream job, but something to make money, get your foot in the door and get some experience. The economy will turn around and depending on your field, there may be jobs still out there.

Self-fullfillment must be balanced with the needs of your family and choices made. I know that feeling of being meant for more, but carefully consider what you already are and how those roles will be affected. If military is what you are set on then the suggestion of going into the Reserves may be something to consider, but there is still the possibility of deployment.

I wish you all the best, I know how it is trying to figure out what your purpose is. Take your time and weigh all the options, think outside the box and keep an open mind.

Air Force Reserves would be my opinion.  There isn't time in the day to explain my reasoning.

**SIGHHHHHHH**

What about the often forgotten United States Coast Guard?

The mission of the Coast Guard is very different from the other services and it is unlikely she would be stationed anywhere near her DH.

That being said, the Coast Guard is a very honorable institution with admirable missions and offers a lot of career advance to its members.

I have, at various times, been a civilian employee of the Air Force, Army, Navy and Coast Guard. 

Lisa

It's not that I didn't consider the Coast Guard, but it would definitely not offer what I am looking for.  I love my Coasties, but I need to be apart of a branch that will allow me to be near my husband, especially because he is already serving in the Marines. 

Thanks for the suggestion though. 

Don't sigh....please?