Well I searched for similar questions regarding surgery, and found a few from around 5 years ago with no real answers. So if anyone can give me some advice here it would be much appreciated. Right now I'm 19, and from the time I was born I've had loose ligaments in both my shoulders. My arms used to be so loose in the socket that I could take them out voluntarily, and if you pulled on them a little you could see them come right out..however this never resulted in pain and they would just pop back in.
I started football at around 11 and played all through HS. In HS I played at D end, and god knows how many times my shoulder was forced out between rip/swim moves and all sorts of ****. Since then I've worked out and put on a significant amount of muscle (was around 165 then, around 210 now, 6'4), and my shoulders are much tighter, however there is still some pain and I'm sure theres a chance of a similar injury taking place. I went to see an orthopedic surgeon, got MRIs done and basically concluded that my ligaments were loose, and there's been some slight damage to the bone (from slipping in and out over the years).
Thats basically the background story..as of now I plan on getting surgery on both shoulders here in NYC over at the hospital for special surgery from an excellent surgeon who specializes in specifically the shoulder joint. Anyone from NY knows these are the guys that work on professional athletes from NY, so I'm not concerned about his proficiency. So obviously my question is will this make me ineligable for SEAL training, or is there some sort of waiver for this? If the answer is yes, it will DQ me, is there any way to just sweep this under the rug? I've been playing football, wrestling, lifting, swimming, etc. with no problems, just minor pain now and then. I plan on asking a recruiter but I'd like to hear your guys' opinion. I don't post questions often and sorry for the novel but again this has been bothering me a while.
The surgery itself would not necessarily be disqualifying. But, it will slow down the process of becoming a SEAL.
Generally, anytime someone has a joint repair, which is probably whatthe Navy would classify this as, there is a mandatory one year wait before someone can join the Navy. This is to ensure that there are no complications.
Here's what you can expect:
You would need to fully disclose the medical procedure to your recruiter and he/she will need to have you sign a record release so they can pull all the relevant records. These, along with a hand-written statement from you about the procedure would be forwarded to the Doctors at the local MEPS for a med read. The Doctors will look over the documents and determine if the procedure was done correctly and in accordance with the normal parameters for the surgery. If they agree it was done correctly, you will probably be cleared to take the entry physical at Meps.
If you clear physical, then the Doctors at MEPS will have to forward your medical paperwork to the Bureau of Medicine (BUMED) for a waiver. This is normally not a big deal, but sometimes BUMED gets silly. It's rare, but it does happen. If BUMED gets silly, then they can request a Flag Officer Review to overturn BUMED.
If you want to be a SEAL, at this time, you will be allowed to take a PST. After you pass the PST, the medical paperwork will then need to be submitted to the medical officers that cover SPEC WAR. They won't look at the paperwork until you have passed a PST. This is a formality, but it exists.
So, while not a kiss of death, surgery adds quite a bit to the process. I have a guy I worked with right now is SQT in Alaska. He had a screw in his wrist and had to jump through these hoops to get in. He made it, and if you want it bad enough, you can as well.
Good Luck
Chief Cacy
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Are you sure about that one year wait? I have a screw in my left index finger from a Intraarticular Fracture. I had no problems what so ever enlisting. MEPS was a breeze... Aside from some legal issues. My pins were pulled out in february some time, and I entered the DEP pool in June.
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Great post thanks a lot, just the type of info I was looking for. So I guess I've got no choice but to go through with the surgery and hope all goes well. As for the 1 year wait I meant to specify that I don't plan on joining within the next year or two anyway, I've got at least another year of college to finish up.. and some more running to do. Thanks again.
Are you sure about that one year wait? I have a screw in my left index finger from a Intraarticular Fracture. I had no problems what so ever enlisting. MEPS was a breeze... Aside from some legal issues. My pins were pulled out in february some time, and I entered the DEP pool in June.
Index finger isn't considered a major joint and for that reason, you can get a break on the year. But, if the joint is a major joint such as knee, hip, shoulder, elbow, wrist etc... then they are pretty strict about the year wait.
Bottom line, I'd plan on having to wait a year. maybe You'll get lucky and not have to wait that long, but I wouldn't bet the farm on it.
Chief
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Here's to all you SeaDogs
That travel after whales
And storm the gates of Hell itself
For the taste of a Mermaid's tail
Surgery
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