Question:
Does anyone know how likely I will be found out if I lie about having WLS to get in?
I recently enlisted and swore in for the Army. I am waiting to be shipped off for Basic Infantry Training. Personally - I dont think participating and passing BIC or AIT will be a problem. I honestly doubt my WLS will hinder me. Now, my problem is, I had to lie to get this far in the military. My recruiter told me that if I put WLS I will NOT get in, so just dont mention it. So, OK, I didnt. I went into MEPS and passed the first medical exam by the hair on my chinny-chin-chin. (The examiner was half blinde I think, and also my RNY was a LAP so the scars arent really visible). But recently I heard there will be a second exam conducted when I actually get to my new base for Basic. Is there ANYTHING they do here that they have not done to me before? And if not, is there any other reason/way they COULD find out I have had WLS? And even if they did find out - whats the worst that could happen??? HELP! :) — Kayla A. (posted on July 20, 2002)
July 20, 2002
Your post raises LOTS of interesting questions. WHY are WLS patients
prohibited from serving in the military? <P> Why did your recruiter
suggest you lie to get another person signed up? I dont have a answer of
what they will do when they find out you had surgery. <P> In the
event you get injured or shot while in the military you rearranged
intestines may create a problem patching you up. Even blindly doing a
endoscope can be a hazard. Is it worth putting your health at risk for this
job?
— bob-haller
July 20, 2002
Man I hate to be a downer but on this one I think they will find out about
your surgery sooner or later, it is just a matter of WHEN. They usually
require medical records from all treating physicians and when you try to
not provide just the WLS surgery records that is concealing information
with the intent to - what ever the legal term is, I know it has a pretty
harsh penalty and it would classify under a Dishonarble discharge. Your
just lucky this far and really I am not quite sure that with the dietary
requirments needed that it is in your best health interests to pursue this
career path. Good luck to either route you take.
— Rebecca B.
July 20, 2002
Hi... I absolutely do not want to be judgmental but there is a bigger issue
here and that is in lying at all. Truth, honor, and discipline are at the
core of military protocol and in how a member of the military should live.
There is always the chance here that you could not be found out by the
military though I suspect you will be, but you will always know you lied
and in the end this will eat you alive. I agree with previous posters on
their thoughts. If you are found out, this is deceit and in the military
this is dishonorable conduct. I think its horrible that someone is
automatically excluded because of WLS so that might be a feeling that needs
to be changed. But in the meantime, to thy own self be true is something
you need to think about and also your own health future that is at risk
with their not knowing. Either way, I wish you the very best.
— AJC750
July 20, 2002
You have had radical surgery done to you. You need to have this in your
medical records so that you can be treated properly in the event of an
emergency.
You have sworn an oath to your country. If you lie about this, the
Department of Defense assumes you will lie about anything. Take it from
me, I've had to answer to others who have put me down as a reference on
their Security Clearance applications.
Don't do this. Get this straightened out as soon as possible.
— suitfugue
July 20, 2002
Please tell them the truth about your surgery now. Also tell them that the
recruiter told you to lie. His/her should be held accountable. The guy
who had my Godson lie about his cerebral palsey and pin in his hip never
got caught, and the boy spent two tous in basic training before being given
a medical discharge.
— Janis D.
July 20, 2002
Kala, all of what was already said, and YOU NEED TO BE A RESPONSIBLE
ADULT...act like one. Tell the truth. What if you get out somewhere in the
"field" where water, and protein cannot be consumed properly.
YOUR LIFE AND OTHER LIVES ARE AT STAKE HERE....honesty is the right road
here.
— Jackiis
July 20, 2002
There are reasons these rules are made.You are not in a discriminatory
situation.Not supplying this information could eventually cost someone
their life or your own if you really think about it.In this situation,I am
totally against lying,although I admire you for wanting to join.
— Michelle W.
July 20, 2002
I just spoke with a friend of mine that is a Captain in the Army. He
explained that sooner or later, you will be caught and the penalties for
lying could be harsh and you will receive a dishonorable discharge. See,
all of your medical information is sent to the MIB (MEDICAL INFORMATION
BUREAU). If your MIB report is ever pulled by the Army, your gastric
bypass surgery will be listed as a red flag... and it will all be over
with. Is possible jail time, fines, or dishonorable discharge worth it to
you? Don't let some crack-head recruiter get you in trouble... get out
while the gettin's good.
— juliehedges
July 20, 2002
The son of an aquaintance of mine, a friend of a friend, enlisted in the
army. He'd had a juvenile police record, but figuring they said the
juvenile record was wiped clean when they turned 18, he answered NO to the
question had he been convicted of a crime. Well, shortly after he was in,
he got convicted of falsifying information. I don't think you want to go to
jail, in addition to all the other reasons stated here for not lying.
Please think hard about what you're doing. Best wishes.
— L. Maillard
July 20, 2002
They have you on a forced 15 mile march with regular but infrequent 5
minute breaks. You as a post op cant drink fast enough in these breaks and
get dehydrated and ill. Do everyone a favor and come clean now. Be sure
that recruiter gets reported... What he did was wrong, as it puts others at
risk. <P> BTW you will probably find a GREAT job when this is over.
Theres a saying, when one door closes another opens:)
— bob-haller
July 21, 2002
Kayla, You must "fess up" because by posting this on the
internet you have just "fessed up" anyway! Thousands of people
have just learned you lied to the government. No offense, dear one, but
you have no choice now. Besides falsifying government records, a lie by
"omission of the truth" is the same as a lie. Please do yourself
a favor and get this behind you. I like others admire your willingness to
serve our country, but believe me, when the government has a rule it is not
an option. I work for the Dept of Justice and have seen our own employees
fired because of an "ommission of the truth". For example, one
employee used marijuana back in the 60's, could not remember the exact
number of times, answered differently on a lie detector test than the
number of times given on a written application, she was fired for lying.
Because of all the corruption we have experienced in the past, there is
zero tolerance for lying. If you come clean now, I am sure there will be
nothing further done, but later on could be very harmful to your future
both in your health and in your opportunities to find future employment. A
dishonorable discharge does not set well with employers. The military
recruiters are horrible to do this kind of thing. All they want is to
"get their numbers" on how many they recruit. They could care
less about your future. God bless you, Kayla. I have a feeling that you
are a honest person and this is bothering you. As another person said,
don't worry you will find a good job somewhere else! There are many other
ways you can serve your country. Good luck to you and hope you make the
right decision. Good question here for the moderators......there is no
privacy when a person posts on the internet.....why can't we get the
anonymous postings back???? Our members need to be able to ask a question
without worrying about millions finding out personal issues about us!
Thanks.
— Marilyn C.
July 21, 2002
DO NOT LIE.
— Bambi C.
July 21, 2002
Kayla, My husband is in the Army, and I asked him to read your question in
hopes of giving the best possible answer. If you don't fess up, you might
very well pass the second physical, but not survive the actual training.
By this, I do not mean the physical aspect of it, but the fact that you may
not be allowed to take your vitamins, you may have to drink water (1 quart
every 15 min.)extremely fast, and you may be forced to eat all of your
meals. I hope this helps, and I'm sorry I couldn't be more positive. You
could mention that your recruiter told you to lie, but essentially you are
responsible for your own actions, and I think that is what they will tell
you. Good Luck!
— Tina B.
July 21, 2002
Wow - I absolutely agree with Tina B. & her husband...listen to what
they have to say. I don't know about you but my surgeon sent me a card
that I attached to the back of my drivers license to alert medics, incase
of an emergency, exactly what I have had done. In my opinion, the
recruiter must not have known how much our system change after the surgery
but I sure as heck wouldn't chance it...you've just regained your health
back, it sounds like...why taking risk on your health from holding back
information?
— Lisa J.
July 21, 2002
Hi there!
I know that some of us get the surgery so that we are not inhibited by our
weight. We want to BE normal and have no restraints anymore in our lives!
And I know this is probably a dream that you have had and a goal that you
are striving for. Heck I can tell you are a GO GETTER and ASSERTIVE just
for the fact that you were brave enough to go through surgery, have a GREAT
BMI (I saw your profile), and now looking into the military! I looked into
officer's reserves myself once my BMI was normal (they said no due to the
WLS). But, you are going to have to ask yourself, is doing all of this and
facing the consequences WORTH your goal and what you are striving for?
Everyone else on here would say NO it's not. But that's NO for them, not
you. But, hun, this is a question you will have to ask YOURSELF. No one can
answer it for you. If you feel that serving your country and risking your
own personal health (and any other personal reasonings) is WORTH the the
risks of getting caught (including jail time) as long as you acheive your
goal, then it's up to you. Many people have sacrificed themselves and what
they beleive in to acheive an ULTIMATE goal (even with dishonest means).
But you have to ask YOURSELF is your goal worth the consequences here. And
be aware that you may never reach that goal if you get caught earlier (ie.
you want to defend and fight for your country in a war). But this is a very
personal question for yourself. It still may be early enough to
"right" any "wrongs" without suffering consequences if
you choose to come clean. But, do remember like it was said already, there
are SO many more opportunities out there. With the good qualities I can
tell you have already, you can be successful in anything you put your heart
and head into! Good luck and God bless.
— ravikamor
July 21, 2002
My husband has been in the navy for 13 years and did a 3 year tour as a
recruiter. I asked him about your situation and he said that when they see
the scars even if you said it was a gallbladder removal or something like
that they would have to pull the records from it. So I cant imagine it
would be something you can hide for long. It is possible to be charged for
lying and get 5 years in prison and 10000 in fines. But honestly they would
probably just discharge you. The problem is with recruiters like that they
give all recruiters a bad name. I am sure if you are far enough post op you
could physically make it through training and all that but I cant imagine
how you will pass the physicals you are required time after time. Not to
mention say for some reason you passed out or something and they do blood
work then I think you would be busted. I understand why they dont let us
posties in and I cant say I agree or disagree as I havent given it much
thought. But honestly I think you should fess up before you get to training
and get sent home. Unfortunately you should have been rejected by this
recruiter as soon as you mention it and it would save your time and not
dash your hopes as badly as it seems to now. I am sorry. BTW congrats on
your success!
— kittycat
July 21, 2002
What's the worst that could happen? You would be putting yourself and
others in severe jeopardy by having an undisclosed medical condition. I
doubt if any WLS postie could withstand the rigors of basic training. It is
not at all uncommon for soldiers to have very limited food and water for
long periods of time. If you are "doing" your tool correctly, you
are still drinking water constantly, eating lots of protein very, very
slowly, taking your vitamin and mineral supplements regularly... the armed
forces just aren't going to be able to accomodate your special needs and to
ignore them could eventually be deadly for you. You would be cheating
yourself and the government with your scam. This is NOT something to take
lightly. I imagine that you surgeon would be appalled. Could it possible be
worth it? Please rethink your decision very, very carefully. Good luck!
— Rebecca T.
July 21, 2002
The last poster really pisses me off with their complete and total lack of
info. So excuse me if I have to address "Becky" first!!! Do you
know anything about diffrent types of WLS? Second, you doubt that ANY post
op could not complete basic training why? Let me educate you. I see no
reason why a healthy post op couldn't pass basic training. I do however
see where some post ops would have trouble in the eating department. I
belive with the RNY you are forced to eat really slow and only 2 oz right?
This wouldn't work in basic. They force you to eat really fast and all of
your food you would throw up for sure. Now, let me tell you about a little
tool called the Duodenal switch. It allows me to eat a normal amont of
food with out having to pulvarize my food. I really belive that if a post
op could eat what a normal person could eat and thay were in good shape
their is no reason they should not be allowed in the Military. I
personally would rather do just about anything else in the world!! (No
offence to anyone, my father was in the Navy and I have complete respect
for out defenders, I just could never be one of them. I have a real bad
dislike for anyone telling me what I can and can't do!!!!) Any how to the
original poster. You have to come clean now. If you are forced to eat a
lot of food fast you could burst your stomach and Die is that what you
want? I admire you for wanting to serve our great country, but you need to
find another way to do this. The best of luck and please think about how
much this can cost you if you go ahead and do this. Is it worth your LIFE?
— Jody Diou
July 22, 2002
FYI, you can back out of joining, virtually no questions asked, up until
the moment they ship you away for boot camp. Better that than a
dishonorable discharge, or being brought up on the UCMJ for dishonesty. If
you want any work with the federal government in the future, and possibly
even with private companies, you most likely will have to explain the
dishonorable discharge over and over. Best of luck!
— Jess S.
July 22, 2002
Hummm. .I think lying falls under the "conduct unbecoming"
clause. I admire your desire to serve our country but I do not think lying
is the way to go. MEPS physicals aren't anywhere near as thorough as the
ones at basic. I know people kicked out of boot camp for gingivitis! So
they can get really picky. Good luck with whatever you choose. But if
they do find out in the future it could have some harsh consequences.
— Virginia N.
July 23, 2002
Kayla, your recruiter was wrong for adising you to lie. Long after he/she
is gone, you will have to answer for that very *first lie* to get you in. I
admire the desire you have to serve your country, however, I think you
should *'fess up*. Lies have a way of re-surfacing and not only that
~~~when one lie is easy to tell, it prompts telling another one. If you are
not careful, you may forget the original lie(s) that were told. Lying
intentionally to the U.S. govenment for any reason is sure to come back and
haunt you. The most important thing is YOUR HEALTH right now. You could be
kicked out of the military for lying~it's called "dishonorable
discharge" and it doesn't look good on ANY employment applications.
Not only that, you may not be eligible for military benefits of any kind in
the future. I work for the government around veterans every day~~I
SERVE~~them and they really go through a lot. Please, tell them before it's
too late and keep your AMOS Family updated as to your progress. We love you
enough to tell you the truth~~sometimes even when we don't want to hear
it~~~God be with you~~~do the right thing! ~~Hadiyah~~ Hope this helps.
— yourdivaness
July 23, 2002
Sorry that I "pissed" you off, J. Instead of saying WLS I should
have specified RNY as the original poster did. I still maintain that the
scam is a poor idea and I still think that armed forces basic training is
too tough for people who have had major abdominal surgery that has altered
what they can eat and drink when they can eat it and drink it. I grew up as
an "army brat" and know first hand that one thing that the
military doesn't promote is individuality.
— Rebecca T.
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