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Teenager just diagnosed.. future in Military?

Good Morning!

My son has wanted to enlist in the military since he was young. He was just diagnosed with Chiari due to a long list of symptoms he was having trouble with. Does anyone know if this will prevent him from his dreams? If he has surgery, I wonder if they will accept him? If he doesn't?

Thanks!
Best Answer
620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER

Hi and welcome to the Chiari  forum.

I would have to say it all depends on how this is affecting him and his overall health....yrs ago using the MRI to detect something other then cancer was new, MRI's for this purpose is till relatively new in that they may find things, but it is b4 they know how it can affect us or be taught in the medical schools the Drs have been to, so it is like falling on deaf ears....they may see it but have no idea what to do with the information.

Yes, many of us have dealt with it a lot longer in life and done things now that we know may not have...was that ok or were we just lucky?

I agree if he is able to, I support him and if not the same support and admiration is there, I appreciate all that serve this country...and if he is denied that there are other ways to serve this country and I am sure he will find his path.

Please keep us posted <3
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620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

The member you are replying to has not posted since that last post...to contact him....send a PM (private message) that will generate an e-mail to alert him someone is trying to make contact.

You can also start a new thread asking other questions of the currant active members.
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Avatar universal
Hi, my son is 16. He also has always dreamed of enlisting. He was diagnosed with Chiari when he was 13. He has progressively gotten worse over the last year. I figured marines won't take him. As his brother in the Marines and I know how they look at every inch of your body.
Please, tell me how or if you got in to the army ??  
Helpful - 0
620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

The member u r replying to has not posted in a yr, but to let them know u want to make contact u can send a PM (private message) which will generate an email letting them know someone is trying to communicate with them.

I wanted to say thank u for ur desire to serve.....

Please keep us posted <3
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Avatar universal
hello, My name is Logan. I have similar goals as your son, I was diagnosed with a chiari in 2012. I under went the Decompressive surgery in December of the same year. I am 18 and currently trying to enlist, the Marines will not accept you if you have undergone the surgery or have symptoms, but the army may. After almost a year of reviewing my medical documentation and talking to military medical specialists I am ready to be considered for a medical waiver, I will keep you posted on how it goes if you want.
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Avatar universal
Thank you for your response! It is something to consider that many people have served, and never knew the cause of their symptoms. Thanks again!
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Avatar universal
Thank you so much for the response, and your service! My son is 13 and has always dreamed of enlisting. He is torn between Marine Corp and Army. His Uncle served in the Marines first for 9years, and is now in the Army. My husband was in the Army. We are going to the neurosurgeon on Wednesday to see what the treatment plan should be. He is suffering from vision issues, dizziness, headaches, shortness of breath, and trouble sleeping. I hope that the condition and whatever treatment won't affect the future he's envisioned. He has always been an athletic, rough and tough boy and now he finds himself laying back more because exerting himself causes pain.  

Again, thank you for your support and bravery.
Sincerely,
Amy
Helpful - 0
4816750 tn?1368804670
Hello Chasemom and welcome to our and yours now coommunity.

I will start off by saying I am a 46, male and spent 161/2 years in the military between Army and Marines.  But I was not diagnosed until last year.  It is up to them if he can still enlist.  I would chck with a recrutier and have him check.  That way you will know up front.  Mine was overlooked for years cause of me not knowing.  You can tell him I admire him for joining and if he is not able he has my support.  Semper Fi
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