Do YOU want to enlist but b/c of WLS you can't?

Hi all.  I asked a question yesterday about joing the Army and got an array of responses.  All of which were GREAT!  I DID talk to a recruiter for the Army National Guard Friday Morning and was finally given the news this afternoon about noon.  At first I was upset, then I was MAD and now I am LIVID!!!!  I know at least 3 of the posters on my previous thread expressed an interest in enlisting in whatever branch.  Me the Army because of age.  And I researched the Army Medical Standards which were last updated FEB of 2005 and it was thrown in as an afterthought!   I know there are many who believe that I am on some kind of "special" diet and that this would in some way hinder me.  BUT I AM NOT!  I am 3 yrs post op, at my goal weight and aside from issues with gall bladder in the 1st 30 days out I have had no major issues.  One poster on previous thread stated that if you are in and have it its ok, because you are already trained and have all of that under your belt and the military does not want to spend money to train us "IN CASE".  Well I am not BUYING that BS.  EVERY individual that joins is a risk.  EVERY ONE!!!  Whether a flight risk, a injury or some one looses it, there are always risks.  Every employer including the military goes through this.  Spending time and money to train individuals who may or may not make the cut.  I am pissed that some entity that has not a clue of what I can do is not at least willing to talk to me and hear what I have to say.  Especially when the recruit #'s are so low.  When every person willing and able should be given the oppurtunity to serve thier Country! I am willing to walk away from my job, my husband, my comfortable life and DEFEND this GREAT NATION and I am really ticked that I, because I made a decision to take control of my weight and my life 3 yrs ago, albiet considered drastic, now I can't do WHAT I wanted to do 21 yrs ago but was too Overweight to do!  Would they have let me join at 330lbs, well HELL NO!  But now I have a smaller damn stomach and I can't.  My basic comment is this! IF YOU COULD GET A WAIVER WOULD YOU JOIN!   RIGHT NOW!!??   I ask because, BY GOD I am not taking this laying DOWN!  I want to fight beside my Country MEN and WOMEN for my COUNTRY and I am willing to put a little Bee in the Big Militaries Bonnet to do SO!  Would you do it too?   On my previous thread a responder stated the increase in militaries medical waivers would cover say an old Knee Surgery!  HMMMM!  Interestingly enough, my "little" Stomach would not suddenly give out on me if running in BCT or AIT or in the Sand, or mountains or out the door for Gods sake.  I am pissed that they can take THAT RISK but not one on ME!   I have this special diet,that is very damn laughable, let's see............................. I ate scrambled eggs and toast this morning with coffee, then for lunch I had Chinese, a little of several items!  and for dinner taco salad.  Damn I am alot more different then all the non WLS's out there huh!  Oh yeah, I had some Ritz crackers, 5 to be exact for a mid afternoon snack.  DAMN ME for being so different!  Oops I forgot I had Unsweet tea all day too!  If you are interested in stirring up enough of a voice to maybe get the Disqualifier changed, or given a case by case review, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE contact me.  I have several friends already on it!  I am gonna get a MEPS Dr to review my case and I am gonna get someone to sit up and take notice that just BECAUSE I don't eat as much as they do, that I can STILL FIGHT FOR MY COUNTRY!!!! I am not a QUITER, never have BEEN and I am not about to START NOW!  If you are serious and want to make the BEE bigger and stronger PLEASE contact me.  First I am teased and discriminated on because I was Obese and NOW because I did something about IT I am being discrimated against.  Military does not want to spend money to train me in case, well last damn time I checked EVERY working individual was footing the bill and I want my small portion put to work for ME! I appreciate all responses but please contact me personally if you feel the same.  One person can't change much but 2+ can damn sure get them to take notice! Thanks for listening, reading and supporting!   Angie ps.  I posted this exact post on the main message board but I know not everyone visits there.  I am in Meridian. MS

Hi Angie,  I am very surprised that the army will not allow you to enlist because of this. I do agree that if someone wants to enlist and serve their country, in this way, they should be allowed. To answer your question: IF YOU COULD GET A WAIVER WOULD YOU JOIN!   RIGHT NOW!!??  My answer is absolutely not. I am probably coming from a completely different view point than you regarding the war in Iraq. I love our troops and I support them but I could never fight a war I do not agree with.  Good luck with your journey and congrats on your weight loss!! Abby

Abby, I appreciate your opinion!  And Thank you!   If it not for you that is fine.  I respect that.  Thank you for responding though. Angie

AngieM, How did the Army find out about the WLS? If someone doesn't tell them, couldn't the scars be explained as gallbladder surgery or something they aren't so scared of? Have you tried the Air Force? I feel for you. If you want to join the military you should be able to do it. I think it is admirable.  Renee

Renee, Thank you!  Well I told them, I thought it was the right thing to do.  I am too old for all but Army and Coast Guard.  And there is not a Coast Guard unit any where near me.  I am going to contact them tho, because they offer Homeland security and find out if the Coast Guard reserves can live as far as I do from a unit.  I have 5 scars from WLS and 2 from Gall Bladder, so there are 7 total, and it would have been tough to explain. Angie

Hi Angie, Kathy's right.  My DH is Ex Army (11 yrs service, made it to Sargent).  He said that especially during BC they only give you maybe 5 minutes to eat all of that food too (and believe me you'll need every calorie).  To this day, sometimes he reverts back to his Army eating skills,  it gross,  you would not believe the amount of food he can shovel in his mouth in each bite. If you DO happen to get in, his best advice is always wear 2 pairs of socks.  Keeps you from getting blisters (he was a Special Forces, Special Ops, Medic).  In all of his thousands of miles of "humpin" it thru deserts, jungles, etc. in all kinds of weather he never got a blister.

Hi Angie, I just wanted to touch base with you about one thing I know for certain, due to having several nephews and a niece in the military.  Basic training/Boot Camp is very strenuous.  The caloric intake requirements per meal for recruits to make it through and maintain good health is like, 2000 calories per meal, 3 times a day.   When my son-in-law was in the Marine Corp boot camp for 11 weeks, he said it was all he could do to get all of his food down.  A person whose stomach has been reduced to the size ours is would never be able to eat like that, and they don't dole out Flintstones chewables either...lol.  WLS'er DO have special diet requirements such as no sugar, low carbs, high protein, and at least 64 ounces of fluids each day.  If you've ever observed or experienced a military kitchen, you would clearly see that because of the mass quantity production, there's no room to provide special meals for anyone.  Those recruits are working really hard from dawn to dusk and actually use those calories as energy.  I know I would never be able to eat like that now.  I'd have to be left behind by my batallion because of dumping syndrome, after eating all those carbs! I admire your patriotism and desire to defend this country, though.  Good Luck! KathyG