Medical waiver for blood pressure on medication

[Caroline]

Good morning!

Can anyone tell me of someone who successfully received a medical waiver to enlist while already on blood pressure medication? 

My oldest son has been accepted for the Navy music program but he failed the physical at MEPS due to high blood pressure.  It remained high enough after returning home that he is now on medication.  He is young at 23 and is otherwise healthy with normal weight. His ASVAB score was high and he has a college degree so he's a pretty good candidate otherwise.  I know that he needs to exercise more now, both for his blood pressure and in general (and certainly for boot camp readiness!), but I am concerned that he will remain on medication.  Clearly, millions of people lead healthy and active lives on blood pressure medication and I don't see people getting kicked OUT of the Navy if their pressure is treated and controlled.  Additionally, he is not ultimately going into a field that requires undue physical exertion.

Does anyone have any personal knowledge or experience to set our minds at ease or guide us to the proper channels?  He also does not have a very helpful or knowledgeable recruiter....

Thank you!

[Angie]

People do get kicked out for high blood pressure.  Not sure where you are getting your information from.

Also ever sailor has to PT and is put under stress those two things than add high blood pressure isn't good.

As someone else has said on here, the USN is not the make a wish foundation, not everyone is going to be able to join. 

 

[Caroline]

Wow.  I was looking for some encouragement and I sure didn't get it.  I am well aware of the "make a wish" reference and I am a nurse as well as a mother, with 30 years of experience in Critical Care and Emergency medicine so I both know about the risks of high blood pressure and value my son's health and life.  If his blood pressure is well maintained and he is physically trained, he can excel at PT.  I am not likely to advise him to turn his face to the wall and give up at the age of 23.  I hope that there is someone else out there who has something more constructive to say and I have ALREADY found references to the fact that medicated/controlled hypertension IS a potentially  waiverable condition, I just want to hear more facts about the process.  Perhaps you are merely what you consider a realist but your remarks do not reflect the spirit of "NavyForMoms.com" as I have perceived it to date and I am disappointed.

[BunkerQB]

Navy's music program is so specialized that very few of us have any knowledge about the requirements. You probably know more about it than we do. As for getting a waiver for high blood pressure - I can't imagine anyone getting that in any of the other ratings (most ratings require strenuous physical work at some point). I have not heard of anyone getting a waiver for high blood pressure w meds. Doesn't mean that no one has gotten one - just have not run across that on N4M (or outside of N4M). You guess is really as good as mine. Best of luck.

[Caroline]

Thank you BunkerQUEENBee.   The job rate is certainly not as physically demanding as some of the others but he will have to go through the same 8 weeks of basic training and on-going PT.  He may get to a point where he does not require medication (I certainly have him on a healthier diet that his bachelor habits now!) I was diagnosed with high blood pressure at his age but managed to stay off meds for another 20 years!  I feel I have to look at a "worst-case" scenario to help prepare him, if I have to, and guide him if I can.  I appreciate your kind thoughts!

[Caroline]

An excellent point.

Please don't anyone misunderstand me.  As I have said, I am both a nurse and a mother and that means I see this not just two but several different ways.  I want my son healthy and safe first and foremost.  I know that the US Navy has every right and reason to establish any rule they feel necessary to serve our country's needs.  I also know that hypertension is only a problem if it is not addressed, treated, and monitored properly and that many of same properly treated hypertensives will out-live any number of those who pass the Navy physical with flying colors.  It is hardly a death sentence and I guarantee you - given my 30 years in the medical field - that those with hypertension of some level or another represent the majority, not the minority so none of us can afford to dismiss the issue so quickly.

[BunkerQB]

On behalf of a family friend, I had talked to a recruiter about the music program (enlisted). He said that much depends on what the Navy needs (pertaining specifically to how many trumpeters, flutist, etc. the Navy has at the particular time). So if your son plays an instrument or is qualified for something the Navy really, really needs - who knows. Since he is a college graduate, I assumed he is applying to OCS (which in itself is easier than regular Bootcamp). In addition, he might be going into the equilvalent "watered down" version of OCS for doctors/dentist etc. - he'll be a staff officer - not a line officer (regular commissioned officers are out on the fleet).

On another note, son of one of my friends had a collapsed lung four months ago. He was a nuke officer on a sub. He needs to be near a hospital at all times. He can no longer served on a sub - his advocate is in the middle of trying to find something to allow him to finish his commitment. He does not want to go SWO. He was really into music in high school - and it's really his passion. I suggested something in the music program. My son (also a nuke officer on a sub) thinks he should be discharged immediately no muss, no fuss (they can be so heartless). His mother thinks he is so brilliant, he should be in the pentagon doing something. Please pat me in the back, I didn't gagged or laughed hysterically (if hers is brilliant, then mine is Einstein II - you can gag, Craig). The Navy can be an adventure, even after you get in.

[Caroline]

Well, I don't really know about the need.  He was accepted as a vocalist although he does play a couple of other instruments.  His degree is in music and that does not get you into OCS in the Navy - they ALL go in enlisted, no matter the education or experience. 

I didn't know anybody got "watered down" physical training lol.

My youngest son leaves tomorrow for basic and then the Nuke program.

[BunkerQB]

Now the nuke stuff -  I know a little about that!

[Caroline]

I am currently watching him race around the house, finishing up last-minute stuff and being grumpy.  I am soon to be a puddle.  I will get back to you on that one!

[Craig]

BQ - You know I always enjoy your reading your stuff.  It always come at the correct time...    I can imagine your son is just like me, and all guys for that matter, we will never understand women. ~ha

Frankly, I too agree with your son.  What people fail to see is sometimes these disabilities actually work is many sailors favors.  An example, suppose you have two sailors, one who completed his 20 years to collect retirement/fleet reserve pay which is 50% of his pay, and another who had a collapsed lung at his  6 year point, and was medically retired at 100% of his pay for life.  To me, you make a heck of alot more money with the medical issue, and you still have 14 years (20 years normal - 6 years before you were hurt = 14 years) of pay you would have normally had to worked for...  It's better to have the medical issue (within reason).

Sorry, this doesn't help the OP question, but I can see where your son is coming from, it only makes sense. 

 

[BunkerQB]

I had not thought of your payout explanation - makes good sense - will let you know when I find out the outcome of the guy w the collapsed lung. His boat mates are somewhat cynical about his condition. It's for real but guys are a bit envious - think now he is getting a cushy ride.

My son has a number of versions of E=MC(square). It would even make the Chicken Shippers blush.

[Craig]

BQ - Those are some hard boots to fill.  To make a Chicken Shipper blush just doesn't happen.  They are the most scurvyest mateys I know...  Just a bad bunch of eggs...