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

wow  i did not know that you can be disqualified from the military because of WLS -- my husband has talked of joining the army now that he lost the weight also -- he couldn't join when he was 18 because he was too fat -- i'm going to pass your story onto him -- he doesn't read these boards -- i'm sure he'll get his 2 cents rolling!! the military is a huge issue for him  good luck to you roberta

Good luck with the fight.  I have a fellow wls patient who tried numerous time to get in - even volunteering to go to Iraq.  The surgeon wrote a lette of support.... NOTHING helped and it's been almost 2 years since his last attempt.  They wouldn't take him.... Irene

HI!  ANGIE   GREAT POST.   MY HUSBAND IS IN THE ARMY GUARD.    I ALSO FIND THIS HARD TO BELIEVE. I WOULD MAKE AN APPT. WITH YOUR SENATOR OR LOCAL CONGRESSMAN.  I WOULD HAVE TO SIT DOWN FACE TO FACE, AND ASK THESE QUESTIONS.  I ALSO WOULD WRITE A LETTER TO OPERA,  AND DR. PHIL.   SEE WHICH ONE PICKS IT UP FIRST.   THAT WOULD MAKE A GREAT SHOW, BECAUSE YOU WANT TO REACH PEOPLE THAT WOULD NOT KNOW THIS. ALSO,  THEY SHOULD BE HAPPY,  YOU ARE NOT ASKING THEM TO PAY FOR YOUR SURGERY,  AND THEIR ARE A  LOT OF MILITARY WIVES THAT ARE GETTING THEIR WLS PAID FOR.   WE DON'T USE THEIR BENE'S BECAUSE MY HUSBAND IS A WEEKEND PERSON, EXCEPT WHEN DEPLOYED. I WISH YOU LUCK WITH THIS.  KEEP US POSTED. BRIDGET K.

write a letter to your congress man, and ask for his support for an appeal to general Granger, tricare, he is the secratary of defence for health for the military,and handled my appeal in great depth as to a DS, at bequest of my congressman. Retired navy, Army may not be the right service, Navy may be more forgiving/ or Airforce