Gastric Bypass vs Military

I think it's admirable that you want to serve your country, because military life certainly isn't easy, and if a side benefit is helping you pay off school loans, then all the more power to you.

Whatever some recruiter tells you, make sure you get it backed up in writing. As you've already experienced, you got conflicting information.  The written word is still stronger than the spoke one.

Ann

 

Hi Rachel,
The Military is a fabulous place to be!!!!  I was in the Navy and my husband is still in.  My recommendation is always Navy, of course.  I know the Navy will not accept an online degree for placement into OCS (Officer candidate school)...so, you may want to look at other branches Directives governing this policy (found at a recruiting station and online).  As far as WLS is concerned a waiver would not be that challenging especially if you plan on entering in 2010...but you will only know for sure when you try.  Also, it may be challenging but the military branches can station you and your spouse on the same base, possibly the same command, if there is no possibility of a conflict of interest.  It is a little tricky though because your job is to do whatever the militlary wants, whenever they want it and how they want it, but when you throw a wrench in there for them it presents a logisitical challenge sometimes....but it's not  impossible.  Besides, some military bases are only a few hundered miles apart (different branch) and you may  get to live weekends together only and seperately on your respective base during the week....it just depends on your job, rank, and of course military needs.  I commend you on your desire to join and think you should think long and hard about what you want to do and then research each branches involvement in your prospective job....for instance....if you want to fly, what type of aircraft do you want to fly?  Fighters?  Join the Navy, AF or Marines...not the Army.  Medic-any branch....etc.  Best of Luck to you in the future!

Hey Babooga!

Thanks for your input.  I actually spoke with a Navy person yesterday and he advised me that my degree would qualify for the Navy programs, because my school is regionally accredited.  If someone where getting a degree from a NON-regionally accredited school, they would not qualify. 

SO, as far as my degree goes...it's safe for ANY bran*****luding the Navy!  I dug further for info because just dismissing online degrees period is crazy.  I mean, consider all of the ppl already in the military who are going to school online?  You mean to tell me their degree would be worthless after dedicating themselves to going to school while serving our country?  Those questions made me skeptical of the "NO ONline degree" and so I asked for more answers.  I called the Headquarters for Navy Officer Recruitment.  I figured that was the best place to get the answer...hahaha!

Thanks for your insight, I really appreciate it!

Rachel,
The Navy representative is absolutely right about accepting online degrees w/appropriate accredation. My statement was that an online degree is not accepted for OCS or Officer placement.  I found that out by inquiring with 3 separate recruiters, Navy.mil online represenative as well as additional internet research and Navy Manuals/Directives.   The Navy WILL acknowledge online degrees and you will find many members obtaining OL degrees because it is a great way to go to school while moving around...they just won't accept a "non-traditional" degree for placement in OCS.
My hope is that, for your sake, there has been a change in the last 6 months because you really seem to want to join and anyone with such passion deserves to share the joy of serving their country because there is no other feeling like it!  Enlisted is not bad, and with a degree you are one step ahead!  I wish you the very best and hope you land exactly where you want to be!

Babooga,

Thank you so much for your informative post!  I also appreciate the encouragement to accomplish my goals...no matter what they may be.  It's nice to hear some positive feedback with some of the posts that have been added to this forum. 

I hope you add me as a friend, so we can keep up with each other...and whatever life choices we each make!  Thanks so much!

This comes up every few months and some recruiters don't know all the details to give you a complete answer on this one.  Other active duty (or in some way connected) OH members have posted the exact section of the regulations on here but the bottom line is any GI surgery is an immediate, no-appeal disqualification. Sorry.

Rachel,
  My husband is currently a USMC Recruiter.  I can tell you with 100% certainty that gastric bypass will automatically disqualify you. 

This comes straight from:
  Marine Corps Order P1100.72B

MILITARY PERSONNEL PROCUREMENT MANUAL, VOLUME 2, ENLISTED

PROCUREMENT (SHORT TITLE: MPPM ENLPROC)

permanently disqualifying
.

(d) The following conditions are not waiverable and should be

considered

26 Intestinal bypass surgery

 

You can find it here on page 3-102:

https://www.marines.usmc.mil/RS/CRC/MPPM.pdf

I'm prior Navy myself.  Navy and Marine Corps (majority of the time) have the same disqualifications.

PM if you would like to know more.

Liz

Although the reg states by pass surgery I am almost certain that it would include the sleeve and lap band.
I appreciate all the reasons you would want to enlist but unfortunately that is not an option.

Liz,

Hey, I want to know more, but I don't know how to PM you.

But I do want to share this with you (I found it in the Marine Corps Order link you shared with me)

 

(e) The above recommendations are not intended to replace or

entirely list the physical defects which do not meet the standards for

acceptance into the naval service. Questionable cases should be referred to

the appropriate local medical department representative at the MEPS or the

appropriate local medical department representative at the MEPS or the

district headquarters. Questionable cases involving applicants who are in

all other ways qualified may be referred to the CG MCRC via the chain of

command.

Long answer short: Look up the regulations online. One poster has shown you the Marines/Navy regulations. It's there in black and white in the Army and Air Force regulations too. You don't have a leg to stand on, so make your peace with it and find another way to serve your country.