Question on possible disqualification

[WatchDog]

Just a NOTE: im 31, relativly good health (need to get in shape).

I went this weekend with my recruiter to a training center and had a chance to ask tons of questions to a few soldiers fresh out of basic and talk with my recruiter a little more about my situation. I am convinced after this weekend that this is what I want to do.

However, I had heart surgery when I was 5 years old to repair holes in my heart. I am fine now, NEVER had any problems and have been active all my life with all types of sports and activities (baseball, football, basketball, karate, boxing, wrestling and swimming) Always had 100% from doctors.

I was told by my recruiter that if I had a murmur that I would instantly be disqualified...why? Is there a way around this? I researched this last nite and today and found out there is such a thing called 'innocent' murmur which is harmless and doesnt mean anything medical is wrong.

I am going to my doctors on Monday will find out whether I do have a murmur and if they can label it as an innocent murmur.

So would the MEPS let me in if my murmur is innocent? What can I do to get by this? I have a scar on my chest as well and I am trying to find ways to get rid of it. Maybe a huge tatoo of a fish or something would cover it hehe, joke.

So does any of the recruiters here have any advice?

[andrew.tischner]

if you CURRENTLY have a murmor its disqualified, if you had one at 5 dont worry about it get ALL your medical documents about the surgery, before and after it, and make sure you bring them to MEPS, well thats what I would do, I have seen people get in with open chest heart surgery, so I would think you could get in to.

There is no such thing as a innocent murmur, MEPS will disqualify you at any level, they love to disqualify its their job. dont get a tatoo , you are 31 if you havnt got one yet dont get it now. they will find the murmor even if they cant see the scar

[Guard Life Sawyer]

I fully agree with SPC Tischner, dont try to hide it. Bring all medical documents with you when you go to MEPS. It dosent hurt at all to get the most recent medical exam and take with you. Our MEPS doctor would prefer new documentation from your doctor. I dont see a problem with the surgery as long as it was corrected with no side affects. In some cases we already know what the doc will say, but there are times we have to go for it and see what happens as we are not medical professionals. Good Luck!

[WatchDog]

Thank you both for the reply. I do have a doctors appointment today at 3 and will discuss with the doctor about my surgery and see what we can do. Hopefully it's not there anymore. I did read somewhere yesterday about a guy who had a murmer going into the MEPS and the doctors didnt find it, through basic he was able to get in shape and stay in shape and the murmer went away. I'll take it with a grain of salt, but it made me hopeful.

I will post my results today when I get back, today I will either be a new recruit or DQ'd.

Enjoy your day.

[andrew.tischner]

Basicaly how we see it, or how I am seeing it is that it was when you were 5 and how you are talking is that you have not had any trouble since, just when you get to meps when you write on the 2807-1 check that you had surgery and write that you had heart surgery at age 5 for this heart problem whatever it was and that you had no further problems since

[WatchDog]

I agree 100% and that is the route I plan to take. I definitly dont want to keep something like that from them. but my recruiter did mention to me that he only knows what I tell him...I read between the lines on that one.

I ended up having to take my son to the doctors a few hours before my appointment for a checkup. by the time we got out of there it was already past my time for my appointment. So I asked his doctor to check my heart to see if I have a murmer and I told her about my interest in the National Guard. She checked it for a few and in different area's and she said she does not hear a murmer, which is excellent news.

I realize I have to make it official first and get it in writting that I have a clean bill of health. But at least this hurdle is crossed and I am murmer free. I called the hospital today where my surgery was and requested all my medical documents, should be here within a week she said. Once that is done I give them to my recruiter and let the MEPS take a look at them.

At that time when Im at the MEPS I will take your advice Spc Tischner and be honest and answer the questions like I should. Since the murmer fear is gone, I honestly dont see a reason why I should be DQ'd. Except maybe being out of shape but I'll work on that asap.

So far so good, thanks for the help on this.