Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

My recruiter instructed me "not to volunteer" certain information. However, when the doctor asked me specific questions about that info which I was trying to keep quiet, I answered honestly. These were questions about my health and things that I have been diagnosed with on record. Seeing as how I signed a paper allowing them to look into any records they want, I figured this was a good idea. Especially if I wanted to see a doctor after I was enlisted. I truly do not want to get caught lying to be discharged at minimum. This information temporarily disqualified me until I am able to get the correct paper work for a waver. Obviously my recruiter was not happy with me. The reason I even bothered to post this apparent rant is to see if my initial concerns about getting caught in a lie really mattered. If I tell them I don't have any sort of stomach issues and they find out that I was diagnosed with acid reflux 6 or 7 years ago, would that have caused any significant problems for me? Or should I have just avoided the issue and said no?

If this medical problem was enough to disqualify you without further documentation, then lying about it and getting caught later could get you in BIG trouble for fraudulent enlistment, which would most definitely result in dishonorable discharge. You were right to tell the truth. Your recruiter sounds like a douche who just wants to avoid paperwork and doesn't want to risk losing a recruit for his quota, even if it means screwing you in the long run. Tell the truth..then you won't have to worry about it later. Once you go to boot, you will never deal with your recruiter again. Don't worry about him not being happy. This is your career, not his.

Exactly what I thought. I just wanted to be sure I wasnt being a niave recruit falling into the "if you dont tell us, we'll find out" speech. Thanks for reassuring me of my decision.

Does anyone happen to have experience or know someone with experience with acid reflux? Is it a serious enough condition that I may not be allowed to finish my enlistment? I haven't even had any issues with it in over 4 years. I understand every situation is different, but any information would ease my mind a little.

Sounds to me like you might need to look for a new recruiter. If your recruiter wants you to lie whats to say he hasn't lied to you?

Does anyone happen to have experience or know someone with experience with acid reflux? Is it a serious enough condition that I may not be allowed to finish my enlistment? I haven't even had any issues with it in over 4 years. I understand every situation is different, but any information would ease my mind a little.

That condition disqualified me as well. I don't know exactly why it is such a big deal to them, but as an educated guess I'd say it is because GERD can lead to asthma symptoms, particularly if it's left untreated. It also tends to recur. Asthma, as you may know, is the kiss of death to many prospective recruits' hopes of enlistment.

In my case, even though I had no trouble with persistent heartburn since 2004, after scrutinizing my medical records the powers that be said that there was no way they could grant me a waiver, so I never even made it to the physical. However, I had several issues (all resolved) that would have required a waiver in addition to GERD. I had forgotten I had been treated for this briefly, and almost had the green light to take the physical and apply for two waivers, but the doctors noticed GERD in the records I sent in for the other waivers. Having three disqualifying conditions and thus needing three waivers ended it for me. Based on my experience, and what several people in the know (one who was once a recruiter and now works down the hall from the doctors who grant waivers) have told me, if a person has several problems that require waivers, even resolved problems, the chances of being allowed to enlist go down exponentially.

The upshot is, even if you don't get in, you still have your integrity and will always know that it wasn't because you didn't try your best that you didn't get the chance to serve. I know I fought hard to get it in, I tracked down 10 years and almost 100 pages of medical records, but sometimes even the best of fighters lose.

Try and see what happens, I really hope you get it, you already have my respect for trying this far. Good luck!

I had to get a medical waiver. Although it slowed me down, I got the waiver and got in the military. I agree with your choice to disclose all. It is better not to keep secrets, especially if it might stop you from getting the medical attention you need after being in the military.

All I can say is do the paperwork. Try to get letters from the doctors that you saw saying that, in their medical opinion, the problem does not persist, is better now... whatever you can to say that it will not be a problem in the future (if you can and this is in fact true). And, have patience.

Sounds to me like you might need to look for a new recruiter. If your recruiter wants you to lie whats to say he hasn't lied to you?

All recruiters will feed you misinformation, or perhaps even lie. The ones who don't are the ones who will not have much of a career left.

If you're an administrator supervising a police traffic unit that's only giving verbals and never writing any citations, I'm sure you'd be recieving pressure from the higher-ups for better performance.

All recruiters will feed you misinformation, or perhaps even lie. The ones who don't are the ones who will not have much of a career left.

I disagree. I think some recruiters may feed misinformation, but certainly not "all" recruiters.

Let's give them a little more credit. :D

MEPS would have never known about your pre-existing condition. they dont have the man power, time or money to go on a wild goose chase for records for every person that goes through there. And while you blame the recruiters and make them out to be liars who only look out for themselves, this recruiter was prolly trying to tell you since it hasnt been a problem for 4 years, dont say anything and get in. because he knew if you said something, you were'nt getting in, and your hopes of being in the military would be gone forever.

I understand I would have gone through meps just fine. My concern is when I'm actually in the service and trying to get medical treatment for anything. Acid reflux is all over my medical records. It would be easy information to stumble across without any real investigation required. Then I get discharched at minimum for fraudulent enlistment. Not something someone should want to risk in my opinion. Thank you all for your input.

they will not see your civilian medical records, they dont look for em. im not condoning lying, however, the military will only know what you tell em, no more, no less.

they will not see your civilian medical records, they dont look for em. im not condoning lying, however, the military will only know what you tell em, no more, no less.

Not true... had to sign paperwork authorizing govt access to medical records. While they may not look at records at MEPS if you have an issue later on and they suspect it may be related to a pre-existing condition they can and will go look for your civilian records and take action if it is determined you fraudulently enlisted, as s_dee66 said.

we're talking acid reflux here. pretty common for it to be developed later on in life. if you know how to milk the system, they are'nt gonna go on a witch hunt. they may ask, ya ever had it before, say no, end of story. The base medical department is gonna be like, i bet your lying, im gonna go back to all your previous dr.'s and investigate. not happening. MEPS has its ways of scaring you into spilling your guts because they know they arent gonna go looking, and the only way for them to know anything is to get you to talk.

I bet ya a paycheck at meps you signed a sheet saying if you were caught lying, you could go to prison for 5 yrs or get a $10,000 fine. Thats one of the biggest joke papers you'll sign.

I was diagnosed with severe GERD my 3 year in, I still suffer (and I mean SUFFER) with it to this day. It didn't hinder me whatsoever in my career. They put me on every medication you could think of and none of it worked for very long. Doc here wants me to have surgery.

I applaud your honesty, it says alot about you. The military has waiver's for nearly everything. It may take a little longer, but you'll get there, and you'll feel better about yourself for having been honest.

It is easier to put in a criminal in than someone w/ a medical past. I have personally seen a guy get permanetely dq'ed for having one headache severe enough to require tylenol 3. didnt have a history of em, but that one instance, that one freak headache, that he had to tell someone about, cost him his military career.
thats why recruiters will usually ask you how long it has been since the last occurence of whatever, are you on medications, how long been off, seing a dr, etc. and if the applicant says i had a problem with this 4 years ago, have been off medicine the whole time and everything is good to go, sometimes if the recruiter tells you to shut up about there is a reason behind it deeper than he just wants a contract. he's telling you that because your telling him you want in, and in medicals eyes you have a disqualifer, but it is in no way shape or form hindering you, if you want in, be quite about it.

Now i have seen recruiters tell someone to be quiet about having asthma. big no-no. risking someones life isnt worth it no matter how bad that person may want in.

But if i was your recruiter, and you told me you had acid reflux 4 years ago, i would ask you if it bothers you and how long been off meds. you tell me no meds for 4 years and no recurrence, im goin to ask you if you want me to get medical paperwork or if you want to take the easy route and be quite about it. Nine out of 10 kids will tell the recruiter they won't say anything its all good, not to worry with the paperwork, and half those kids get to meps, and fold under the pressuer and start talking.

Hi, I know this thread is 2 years old but, I'm just wondering if it makes a difference if the civilian records are VA?
(I am prior service) Basically, will they look them up even if you answered "NO" to all questions. (Also a GERD deal)
Thanks