Back Problems

[MP_Steve]

I'm sad to say that I have one of tose "Will this DQ me if...?" questions.

I have had back problems since I was 14. It only really got worse a few years ago, to include work related injuries, light duty at work and army reserve, and a good amount of pain on a regular basis.

My unit is aware of my back situation and in light of another recent injury and chronic back pain they brought up the idea of medical seperation. I was told by a physical therapist (seeing for a work injury) that I have the worst back he's seen for a 20 year old since he's been in practice. He also said that I should be in therapy on a regular, consistant basis to help prevent pain, and hopefully work to having a stronger back.

I guess what I'm getting at is would hiring agencies frown down upon a medical seperation from the reserves? If they don't, would they look down to the fact that I have a bad back that requires regular visits to a doctor for treatment. Would this significently impare my abilities to perform law enforcement? If civilian law enforcement requires the same amount of physical ability as military police, I'm afraid I already know the answer to that.

Thanks for the replies. I say again I regret to be another of those guys asking the DQ questions.

[ngcsubutterbar]

Question, when did you enlist?


To answer your questions the seperation has to be 'honorable' or 'under honorable conditions'. I don't know wether or not you will qualify there. Severe back problems could very well dq you in medical screens. It may not: I guess it'll be up to the department and the doctor that checks you.

[MP_Steve]

Question, when did you enlist?


To answer your questions the seperation has to be 'honorable' or 'under honorable conditions'. I don't know wether or not you will qualify there. Severe back problems could very well dq you in medical screens. It may not: I guess it'll be up to the department and the doctor that checks you.

Enlisted April 2004. To the best of my knowledge, any medical seperation is honorable, unless you have UCMJ action pending before the seperation.

[medic9338x]

They are more likely to e concerned about the back injury. They will want full disclosure of the injury and whether or not it will affect your job.

[DeltaV]

This is being discussed in the Ask a Cop forum.

Lower Back Pain and Law Enforcement

IMO, getting medically separated from the military because of a back problem will probably DQ you medically from every LE agency out there. Agencies are very leery of hiring anyone with back problems because they will just be made worse by LE work. Back and heart problems are the two things that will automatically DQ someone at my agency and with all others around here that I am familiar with.

Even if you don't get separated from the military, you're still going to have to go through a physical examination of your back and possibly a lumbar x-ray with every department you apply with. Not to mention, you'll have to disclose your condition at the medical exam. A LE medical exam is much more in depth than anything that you had to go through at MEPS.

[chewy]

I agree with Patrick and say that it may be a problem going into a LE job if the back problem is too bad. If you get a medical seperation from the military I think that would look very bad on your background from a physical fitness stand point. If it is at all possible to hang on until your enlistment ends and you can just not re-up that would look the best I think. Even with a standard non-medical discharge the back problems can be a big blocking point on hiring into an LE agency but again, it will depend on the agency, the doctors report from your physical and the severity of your back problem. If it is a chronic problem that may get worse or cause more problems most agencies aren't going to want to hire you because they know that down the road it is going to cost them money as you will need more time off for doctor visits and possibly more severe things like surgery or loss time. If it is a minor problem that you get therapy for and correct that may not be as big of an issue.

[MP_Steve]

I agree with Patrick and say that it may be a problem going into a LE job if the back problem is too bad. If you get a medical seperation from the military I think that would look very bad on your background from a physical fitness stand point. If it is at all possible to hang on until your enlistment ends and you can just not re-up that would look the best I think. Even with a standard non-medical discharge the back problems can be a big blocking point on hiring into an LE agency but again, it will depend on the agency, the doctors report from your physical and the severity of your back problem. If it is a chronic problem that may get worse or cause more problems most agencies aren't going to want to hire you because they know that down the road it is going to cost them money as you will need more time off for doctor visits and possibly more severe things like surgery or loss time. If it is a minor problem that you get therapy for and correct that may not be as big of an issue.

Well I really have no professional opnion to go by, but I do know that I have no problem with any disks or spinal colum. I am going to seek the advice of a practitioner (not about LE, as my own personal health comes first).

I think if it came right down to it, I could get put behind a desk outside of the MP Corps. I know of Soldiers getting promoted from E3 to E4 just so they could become recruiters. Well, I don't know if I could go that far.

I'll evaluate my options. Thanks guys.