Stomach problems

[Anonymous]

I want to be an MP in the Marine Corp Reserve really bad but I have stomach problems. They are undetectible by doctors (since none of them can fix me) so I doubt if the physical will pick anything up. I've always had problems but the last couple of years I've been battling pretty hard. Chemicals in our drinking water made my stomach the way it is now. I'm not as bad as I was last year but I'm still not that good. I know I could make it through boot camp but being nausious most of the day would make it pretty much impossible. I have a hard enough time working all day at my job and at home. I'm patienly waiting to get better so that I can join. I don't care if I'm 30-40 by the time that happens! My parents also don't want me to join but they understand that I want it and are glad that I want to serve my country. I was just wondering if anyone would care writing to me and telling me about being in the Marines (regular or reserves), being an MP, anything at all! Thank you for your time. Take care and God bless, Janette:)

[Anonymous]

You don't mention how old you are but I know there are age limits to joining the Corps. I believe it's 29 if you go in enlisted. Keep this in mind.

Good Luck with your health problems. Do you drink water from the tap or bottled water?



jara@cybergal.com

[Anonymous]

Janette:

According to my recruiter, the Corps will give you an age waiver if you are mentally and psysically qualified up until about age 30, 31. If you're over 32 you can't get in at all. I believe the Army's age limit is 35.

Now, I don't want to sound totally negative, but you need to be aware that if you go to MEPS, they are going to ask you a ton of questions about your medical history. Yes, the physical is cheesy, but if you reveal you have had stomach problems, they will ask for medical records and depending on what they find, they may disqualify you. If you reveal nothing, lying to MEPS about your medical history can get you permanently disqualified. I went through MEPS 3 months ago so this is first hand info.

If anything happens to you in boot camp, they will ask for your records and if they find out you were withholding information, you will definitely get sent home. Think also about this: if you can't make it through your day now, and feel naseous all day long, you are correct in thinking going to have a really, really hard time getting through boot camp. There is constant physical activity and stress. They are not going to let you lie down and rest while other recruits are running a 3 mile run. Boot camp is the exactly the same for reserves as it is for active duty marines, it's no easier.

I don't know how old you are, but my advice is to explore every avenue including alternative medicine, to try to fix your problem. Don't "wait patiently" to get better--make it happen!! For certain medical conditions, if you haven't had symptoms in a certain number of years, you may be able to get a waiver. Recruiters have charts listing disqualifying conditions.

I had a friend with stomach problems that went undiagnosed for years. They finally found out her stomach wasn't "emptying" out at an appropriate rate and causing acid buildup. She's on medication now, a kind of muscle relaxer that she has to take before hse eats, and now she's fine.

If you have seen a recruiter, also make sure you check which MOSs (jobs) for reserves are available in your area. Mine only had 3, and MP was not one of them. It depends on what your reserve bases need and do.

Well, Janette, I hope this gives you some info and I wish you luck--if you have any other questions feel free to email me--and Semper Fi.



zuma@themarines.com

[Anonymous]

I just turned 18. My medical records don't really show anything stomach wise. MP is available at the reserve base that I would got to. Janette:)

[Anonymous]

Well Janette I'm glad to hear it! I would have liked a different MOS than Admin, but when I go to OCS it will change anyway.

Now get crackin recruit! ;-)



zuma@themarines.com