Dec
22
2009
Can I Join The Military Still?
Posted by: Alan in Atopic Eczema, tags: Join, Military, Still
I am trying to join the Coast Guard. I am trying to process in Nagshead, North Carolina. The problem is I have Allergic Contact Dermatitis (slang term is eczema, though its not the same as atopic dermatitis). I did not tell my recruiter cause I know they dont grant waivers.
I read they give the smallpox vaccine at boot camp..is that true? the vaccine and eczema can cause bad side effects i heard. if i dont admit to my recruiter but then tell them right before the shot that i have eczema will i get kicked out? if i get the shot will i be ok?
Any advice would be cool and id be grateful.
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December 22nd, 2009 at 10:50 am
No your Medical Problem are an
automatic “DQ”…
No Medical Waivers will be issued…
December 22nd, 2009 at 11:35 am
You really do not want to risk the smallpox vaccine with eczema. If you lie your way through recruiting and MEPS, they’ll discharge you on the spot at training. (Well, actually it’ll probably take a little while, but they certainly will, and you most likely won’t enjoy what you do in the meantime), and they *will not* be happy about it. Even without the smallpox vaccine, this is not something you want to lie about. If you so value the Coast Guard, then practice Honor, Respect, and Devotion to Duty. Don’t lie; tell your recruiter.
December 22nd, 2009 at 6:24 pm
Just tell them. You might have to get a waiver but not being able to have the small pox vaccine probably wont bar you from enlisting. When I was in the Army, anyone who deployed had to have it, but there were special cases, like new born babies, and wives being pregnant and other things where the soldier didn’t have to get it. I did see someone go into cardiac arrest getting it though, so its not something you want to mess with. Just tell them, its better than risking it.
December 22nd, 2009 at 11:41 pm
Don’t do it….. it’s called fraudulent enlistment and at best they will just discharge you, at worst they will charge you under the UCMJ.
They will most likely just discharge you as soon as they find out (less work than charging you under UCMJ).
If you get any kind of bonus, they will take that back too…….
December 23rd, 2009 at 1:29 am
due to the possible complications, i would suggest that you inform your recruiter of the problem. if you do make it to boot and recieve the vaccine, and you have a reaction you will most likely be discharged
December 23rd, 2009 at 7:14 am
So you are lying to enlist?
You don’t get Smallpox in boot camp. You get it if you are deploying overseas. And the guys in my unit who had eczema or psoriasis did not have to get it.