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by ClickChick from KS

Last Post 169 days, 7 hours Ago

Can't Join the Army?

Apr 30, 2008 | 8:46 AM
Category: News

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My son-in-law wants to join the army. He took and passed the ASVAB, has turned in all the paperwork they need and took the physical. He is partically deaf in one ear (since birth), and the doctor gave him a waiver. Everything was set to go, then they came back and said that the Surgeon General denied him because of his disablility. DISABILITY?!? The army is letting convicted felons join and they keep saying that recruitment is low and they need volunteers! Here is a young man who is physically fit (he's a construction worker) and motivated and they're telling him he's disabled and can't join the army?!? We've written our state reps about it. They've ignored us (our tax dollars at work!)

14 Comments | Add a Comment

Apr 30, 2008 | 2:02 PM

Write your US rep, not your state reps. things will happen.

I went through something similar when I joined. I had to get a waiver from a cardiologist cause the Army docs thougth i was going to drop dead any minute.

They misunderstood my heart rythm (it is irregular, but harmless.... sort of like a harley engine LOL)

doug6699

Apr 30, 2008 | 2:18 PM

Try the National Guard...I know someone who was able to join and he, too, is almost deaf in one ear.

rosco

Apr 30, 2008 | 2:39 PM

When I reported to my draft board to take a physical I remember this one guy was turned down because of his hearing. He was a hill billy and got all upset. He told them he could hear well enough to hear a rabbit running through the woods. I really think it was a mental thing that kept him out. From what I remember what he looked like , he would go good in my photo album. LOL

mpvan

Apr 30, 2008 | 2:42 PM

Do you need teeth to join? I mean most of them?

rockslide

Apr 30, 2008 | 3:38 PM

if he is deaf in one ear he can be a danger to himself and the soldiers around him.

As an American I thank him for trying. But it is time to move on to some other career.

As for felons...why not? I never understood why felons who have paid their debt to society and done everything required of them cant go into the military and defend their country. What better way to go above and beyond repaying your debt than to serve your country and possibly give your life.

ClickChick

Apr 30, 2008 | 3:57 PM

Rockslide, if partial hearing loss in ONE ear was enough to keep you out of the army then we'd have no soldiers left. That's why they test your hearing so much while you're in the army...because some hearing loss is expected. Those guns are loud.

woodburner

Apr 30, 2008 | 3:59 PM

BE glad!I love AMERICA and thank all the troops who are serving and those who died for our freedom.We have lost enough good kids if they take convicts great,take a load off of society and the ex cons get a second chance.At least you tried,but be glad GOD has other plans for you!

rosco

Apr 30, 2008 | 5:02 PM

If you are a convicted felon, you can never own or be in possession of a gun. But yet the government is letting felons have military weapons? I hope their felony convictions will be expunged if they serve honorably.

redhotz

Apr 30, 2008 | 10:30 PM

Try this one on for size. My best friends son was sworn into the Navy today. Guess when he goes to bootcamp? Nov. 2008. They call it the delayed entry program. Why you may ask? Apparently they don't have a place for him. He is going in as an MA (Master at Arms) Hmm...we need people so badly, however, they are making this fine young man wait. Now, mind you, he's been trying since Jan. We're just thankful his recruiter finally got the work done. We are a Navy family, and this frustrates the he!! out of us. Such is life I guess. I wish you luck! And by the way, my husband (a second class in the Navy...) has hearing loss, had many waivers, and they took him. Not sure why the Army is being ignorant. So sorry for your problems.

ClickChick

May 1, 2008 | 9:30 AM

We are confused too, redhotz. We went up the ladder to the US rep yesterday. If we don't get anything out of that we've got a few other resources (we're an Army family back to WWI). The medical waiver should have been enough. Five years ago they wouldn't let a HS dropout or a felon join...the irony of this is killing me.

jpbikerfreak

May 1, 2008 | 11:23 AM

Doug- national guard is the same thing. I was in 6 years. You train with RA, your uniform says US Army, you go through the same in-processing, there's no real difference.

And ya, click chick, like I said your state rep can't do anything. Go straight to your US rep and/or senators.

The army is no different than any other large oranization. Some of it depends on the political climate, timing, the person in charge, interprations, etc, etc. Just keep trying.

BasehorLady

May 1, 2008 | 5:38 PM

I think it would kind of help to be able to hear the enemy sneaking up on you....

BasehorLady

May 1, 2008 | 5:41 PM

Sometimes I don't think the left hand is doing from the right hand of the armed services... Here we have people who want to join, but turned down, yet you have other people going on three tours of duty........ Something's off, WAYYYY off.

lady4bass

Sep 28, 2008 | 5:11 PM

I hope this young man fights for his right to join.

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