Wishing I could join

[MDEMT280]

So, for many of the same medical reasons I will likely never be a LEO, I'm probably never going to join the military (even though I've wanted to since I was 17).

Sometimes, I wonder how bad it actually would be if I lied, or "forgot to mention" my medical history. I know, they'd find out, and a dishonorable discharge would haunt me forever. I just wonder if it would be worth the risk.

I just feel like I'm some sort of unpatriotic goon because I haven't served, and probably never will serve. I don't care about "military discounts," or a fancy uniform, or veteran's preference or the GI Bill. I want to serve because it's the right thing to do. I want to serve because there are so many other brave men and women serving, and I believe they deserve all the help they can get. I'd go as a medic if I could, or a rifleman, or even a stock keeper, if I could -- anything to serve the country and help the soldiers.

I've actually thought about volunteering for the USO. But then, I think about when I worked for the TSA at the airport, and all the men and women in the military - many of them just kids - who flew out, heading "over there"... and I always felt inferior. I always felt like I should be going with them. And I sometimes wondered if they viewed me with some level of disdain, because I wasn't serving. I'm a (mostly) healthy adult, capable of fighting, and I'm sitting here in the USA enjoying the freedoms that others are dying for. It's not right.

[mcsap]

Your attitude is to be commended. You want to serve and yet you can't. You can still be in a supporting position for the troops that are in Iraq, Afghanistan etc. They can always use all kinds of stuff while in the desert. Find a way to send them a small box of goodies and include a note of SUPPORT. They will truly appreciate it and you will feel great about doing it.

There are MANY who don't want to serve and won't.

Not that I am for mandatory military service but when I was in Korea , it is a national policy that all Koreans serve 2 years in the military.

[Sierra]

Same with Israel, both for obvious reasons.

[Coastie 585]

It always hurts me when I hear of someone who WANTS to join the military but can not because of medical reasons. Like said above I commend you for your patriotism and I wish the Americans that are perfectly healthy that ARE NOT joining had your type of attitude.

Patriotism is not measured by how much or how long you have been in the military but by how BADLY you want to help serve and protect this great country. Just from this post you have more patriotism than some people that are in the military.

MDEMT, When I fly on military business and I see the people that work at the USO I feel inferior to them! They do SO MUCH for us for free, I joined the military but members of the USO help us out for free, the time they give to us really shows what kind of a person they are. I am going to ship out to my secondary school ("A" School) in 5 days and I know I will enjoy the hospitality and FOOD the local USOs provide.

-Ben Silver

[CelicaGuy]

MDEMT,

I like you cannot join the military because of a medical condition. I wish I could join up with you. Maybe, you and I can go "over there", we will rent a jet fly "over there" and have them drop us right in the middle of a town. We can handle anything that comes our way..

I commend you on wanting to go into the military, I have always wanted to but, when I talked to the recruiter they said "You have no chance".:(.

[gringoscott]

MDEMT, I'm with you buddy. I was told when I went to enlist that I could not join up for medical reasons. I just recently found out that I will also not be able to become a police officer for the same reason.

I'm at a loss right about now. I started volunteering around town doing a few different things. That definitely helps. Service comes in many forms. Although it will be difficult to see so many living my unattainable dream, I will continue to volunteer at the local academy in service to my community.

Good luck man. If you have any new ideas, let me know.

[marinepilot]

MD,

I, too, commend your spirit, drive, and patriotism! It is something to be extremely PROUD of in this day and age when the prevailing winds try to blow us all apart in this wonderful country of ours. If more people felt as you did, there would be far fewer problems with division in America. And, the best part is, you want to serve for all the right reasons! After 2 decades of military service, I still can't believe how many people I have heard say they joined for the things you mentioned (the GI Bill, the uniform, the training). To paraphrase mcsap, there are TOO MANY who don't want to serve, and won't, but are totally capable of it! I think that I believe as you probably believe, that we should all be AMERICANS first, not (insert other descriptor here)-Americans.

As for "forgetting" to mention your medical history, sorry to say, and you probably already know, but it won't work. They give you a pretty thorough physical when you join up, and although I'm not familiar with your medical problems, they will most likely find whatever it is that is disqualifying you. Even if you did get in, they'd find out later, and then you'd be discharged (although not dishonorably, gotta do something REALLY bad to get that!).

And to echo TPDCadet, man, we definitely feel thankful and in a large heap of debt to those who serve in the USO! Those guys and gals are NUTS! LOL They do all that stuff for free, sometimes even taking out of their own pockets to help service members (I've seen it myself). PLUS, they have to deal with all us military wackos on an almost daily basis with a smile on their face! If you are thinking of volunteering with them, believe me when I say, that is quite amazing, and somewhat of a calling. You're definitely needed because you provide those little havens of support in large public places where others look at military members quite often nowadays in disdain and disgust. That would be a very honorable way to serve!

With what you feel in your heart, you should never feel inferior to someone who is in the military. You've got more pride in your country than most and that's something to revel in! Just because you can't go to Iraq or Afghanistan and offer up your life for America, there are many other things you can do, as mentioned above. Who knows, maybe organize a rally in honor of people from your hometown who are in the military, take pictures & video, and send it to them to share, to let them know you are thinking of them and SUPPORTING them.

Okay, I'm done for now. I could go on and on, but I don't want to bore everyone. I guess I should just say again that you're attitude and demeanor are, to me, INCREDIBLE! Please don't feel bad just because of the one or two things you CAN'T do to serve your country, instead use your motivation to figure out all the wonderful things you CAN do to serve your country!!

God Bless and Semper Fi!!

marinepilot

[AFman29]

MDEMT,

I commend you on your desire to serve. There are ways of serving, especially over there. A lot of the support services provided on base are run by support contractors. When I was over there it was my job to monitor them and some of them had been there for 3+ years. If it wasn't for the services they provided and the sacrifices they make a lot of people wouldn't be able to focus on the fight.

[MDEMT280]

Thanks, everyone. I don't know why I posted this, really, because I'm usually not one to whine. I guess I just had a really bad day, considering that I may have to stop doing the only thing I've ever really enjoyed and been good at (EMS), for the same medical reasons. I'm just kind of getting fed up with chasing dreams, only to be yanked back at the last second.

It's probably some sort of nerve thing I've got going on. Numbness in the extremities, dropping things, inability to grasp, tremors in the hand. Apparently, it could be some kind of mild seizure activity. Maybe one too many blows to the head. :confused: But yeah, I guess I'd be no good as a soldier or a LEO if I can't guarantee my gun would stay in my hand, you know?

Anyway, thanks for the encouragement, and for putting up with me.

[AFman29]

Like I said don't be discouraged. I had a buddy set to fly for the Air Force. Right before he was to put on his Lt bars he had a seizure. Instantly kicked out of the Air Force. He found a good doctor that helped him with the right medicine. Now he's doing things as a civilian in Iraq that you will never hear about on the news.

Besides everyone has those days everynow and then. :p:D

[MDEMT280]

So, it seems that this issue I had has resolved itself. It may have just been a temporary pinched nerve. *shrugs* I still have other medical history issues that may cause a problem, but we'll see. Even if I had no medical problems, I wouldn't meet the fitness standards right now.

I've decided, however, that I'm going to do everything I can to see this through. I've joined a gym. I'm working every day on getting into shape. I'll get myself into shape, and then I'll march myself down to the recruiter's office and tell them, "sign me up." If I need waivers, I'll do waivers. If they won't put me in for waivers at that office, I'll find another and another until I find someone who will. I'll fight until I've exhausted every option.

If I still get turned down, then at least I know I did everything I could.

[106A]

MDEMT280,

Don't give up hope. I've seen many people in the Army who have had medical conditions. Most of these people just didn't give up and kept working with doctors and recruiters until the issues were resolved, my wife is one of them. As far as fitness, I wouldn't worry about that too much. I don't know much about the other branches, but I know that the Army will take you in pretty much any level of reasonable fitness, and then get you where you need to be in basic training. Feel free to PM if you need specific advice.

Good luck.

[MDEMT280]

I can tell you right now I'd never make a 3 mile run in the shape I'm in. I might be able to do a 3 mile run, walk, crawl, gasp, die.

That, and I either have to figure out what's wrong with my knee, or push through the pain.