Got any clues?

[Christiansen]

I've probably already told my story here before but I'll retell it just to refresh.

This last May I had a tentative ship date but was disqualified at MEPS just before I officially enlisted. The last test I had to take there showed that I had high levels of protein in my urine.
The next day I filled out a wavier (for the protein) and was denied a few days later.

I was told to go to my family doctor to get it checked out and approved. My doctor then referred me to a kidney specialist who then took a biopsy of my kidneys and "strongly believes" I have some type of kidney disease. I don't doubt his prognosis, but he surely wasn't overly confident about it.

Next, he put me on a few odd ball pills including, at one point, blood pressure medicine originally intended for diabetics. Though the medicine didn't help, he said that the levels of protein had remained unchanged and was not an imminent health issue.

After a few months of hearing that over and over again I decided to ask him:

• Am I healthy enough for boot
• Am I healthy enough for 4 years in the Marines.

He says yes and sees no reason why I should not join but also asserts the need for future treatment at some point. I ask what "at some point" means and he could give no definitive answer. Figures.

My recruiter tells me of a possibility he could do something called a "B Med?" but would need my doctor to write a letter agreeing to the following talking points.

1. I am physically healthy enough for boot
2. I am physically healthy enough and capable for 4 years in the Marines.
3. I am released from doctor's care.

Long story short, over a period of 6 months, the doctor tries to write that letter 3 different times and each time my recruiter rips it up because, apparently, he keeps rambling on with details which make the letter sound a little too weak.

Later, I did a search on the internet and found a kidney specialist closer to home. I called and they said I'd need a referral from my doctor. I called my doctor and he tells me he cannot give referrals out to any other specialists than the one I already had. (for policy reasons..)

I wrote out that whole mess because of this: I've been trying to join the Marines for a little over a year now with no avail. On one had, my kidney specialist is quoted as saying I'm perfectly fine and able to live a normal life (including join the Marines). I take that with a grain of salt because he clearly isn't aware of anything other than the medical aspect and isn't familiar with military procedures of enlistment. Likewise, on the other had, my recruit has no medical experience and can't exactly write the letter himself. Making matters worse, my kidney specialist doesn't necessarily speak english well and isn't upfront at all.

If you have ANY notion of what I can do from this point on, I'm beyond all ears. Basically, I'm all out of ideas and with continuous frustration, my recruiter isn't exactly as proactive and interested with this as he used to.

[Christ0ph]

somehow, someway.........find another specialist, that's about your best chance

[devildoghopeful]

Or just lay it out strait to your specialist, no bull****, say "this is my life and you need to be strait with me, if not, refer me to another specialist because I'm not taking any more sh*** from "professionals" who won't be clear and frank with me"

[Marine84]

Do you think he IS telling you something and you're just not wanting to hear it? I know this is something that you really want to do but..................by all means, get another opinion and get a doc that speaks enough English for you to understand. Keep in mind though, there are SOME questions that they CANNOT answer like...................WHEN?....................NO BODY but God knows that one. Maybe joining the Corps isn't meant for you to do but, it IS just as Honorable to join one of the other branches. Something to think about.

[cplbrooks]

The physical standards are the same for all branches. The reason the Marine Corps DQ'd you for this is because if you join and have problems with this in the future the Marine Corps is obligated to fix you or give you a disablility rating. The government doesnt want to buy broken merchandise. They dont mind breaking you once they have you but they dont want you to come in that way. It is just too risky. You should have your recruiter call your doctor and let the two of them talk about what is needed in your letter.

[LaResistance]

Why did you wait six months to get another opinion?

[Christiansen]

Do you think he IS telling you something and you're just not wanting to hear it? I know this is something that you really want to do but..................by all means, get another opinion and get a doc that speaks enough English for you to understand. Keep in mind though, there are SOME questions that they CANNOT answer like...................WHEN?....................NO BODY but God knows that one. Maybe joining the Corps isn't meant for you to do but, it IS just as Honorable to join one of the other branches. Something to think about.

Well, that’s the thing... he explains that this is possibly a progressive condition and honestly, I can understand not knowing an estimated timeline but not knowing anything at all is kind of borderline ridiculous. As a kidney specialist, he himself, had to get a second, third, and fourth opinion from his peer kidney experts at his clinic and still, wasn’t exactly sure what I had.


I can still side with him and understand that it isn’t always easy to pin point everything but it gets to the point that he needs to give me a solid yes or no. From day one I’ve told him I’ll take any meds or get any tests done that are needed. My recruiter has kind of been a lame duck or at least passive with what to do next but still insists I stay active in the poolee sessions. I don’t really blame him because its much easier to get a guy off the street or in high school than mess with a medical case.


I try to stay pretty realistic with this and I see a clear possibility of me never being a Marine. I’m just frustrated with this specialist saying I can go and will be fine but then turns around and writes a “letter of release” filled with boilerplate.. (Which I believe sums up to being a way for him to cover his behind to prevent future legal measures against him…which wont happen.)


Appointment after appointment I’ve made this clear and he simply gives me the same speech and writes up another appointment card.

The physical standards are the same for all branches. The reason the Marine Corps DQ'd you for this is because if you join and have problems with this in the future the Marine Corps is obligated to fix you or give you a disablility rating. The government doesnt want to buy broken merchandise. They dont mind breaking you once they have you but they dont want you to come in that way. It is just too risky. You should have your recruiter call your doctor and let the two of them talk about what is needed in your letter.

The last two letters the doctor has written have been from instructions my recruiter gave to him over the phone. The specialist has actually had my recruiters card since the first appointment.

On the last letter, my recruiter crossed out a few things and said if the doctor writes its up without said sentences, then it should work.

I waited a few weeks and called back, he said he wasn't able to contact him yet.

A weeks ago I casually asked my recruiter how it was coming along and if he had been faxed the new letter... he basically didn't think the guy would write the letter and had not contacted him.

I understand how I am a less desirable candidate, but doing the same thing over and over and expecting a new result is the definition of insanity.

[Kildars]

What exactly would treatment entail? If you could get treated without getting DQ'd because of the treatment why don't you just do that?

I'm in the same boat, medically DQ'd. So, welcome aboard .

[cplbrooks]

A weeks ago I casually asked my recruiter how it was coming along and if he had been faxed the new letter... he basically didn't think the guy would write the letter and had not contacted him.

I understand how I am a less desirable candidate, but doing the same thing over and over and expecting a new result is the definition of insanity.

This means that your recruiter doesnt think that you have a real chance of getting cleared so he isnt going to put much more time into it. If you want to get in be prepared to do most of the legwork yourself.

Ask your recruiter what needs to be done for you to be cleared and then take it upon yourself to do it. He is going to be busy trying to find "qualified" applicants.

[Echo_Four_Bravo]

I think you need a second opinion, whether it is for getting into the Marine Corps or just ensuring your health. Doctors make mistakes and they don't know everything there is to know about their field. So, getting to the kidney specialist closer to your home is imperative in my mind.

Your general practicioner should be willing to give you the referal to another specialist for a second opinion. He should rethink his policy on the issue. Regardless, doctors USUALLY do not get offended when someone wants a second opinion. So, tell the kidney doc you have now that you would like him to refer you to the doctor closer to your home for a second opinion. Chances are good that he will do so without thinking twice. Once you get in to see that doctor, tell him what the other doctor has said and ask him to examine you. If he believes you are fit for military service, have him write the letter saying that you are. If he believes you are not fit for service, have one of them fix you now and maybe it can be cleared up and will allow you to join at that point.

Cpl Brooks is correct that it is on you to make it all happen. So go get it done.

[Christiansen]

I understand the need for continued treatment – not only for current reasons, but also for my own health. I’m not really enthusiastic about this because this is really kind of what the idea was last year.

I took almost about every pill the specialist could think up and my condition had remained the same. (no better, no worse…just stable) Thats when the kidney specialist agreed that I should pursue my goals. I’m not really sure he understands what “no pending medical issues or liabilities” means, but he, nevertheless agreed to write anything I needed for the military.

The problem came about when he added additional comments in the letter which made the whole letter seem like an empty gesture.

I also understand how the phone tag and other work needs to be done on my end. For better or for worse, its kind of been like that for the last year.(except for his two phone calls)

The problem emerges when I need someone to write the letter. I don’t know exactly what these letters need to say and my recruiter obviously doesn’t want to deal with him much more. I get the feeling both sides are being coy with their gut feeling on this. I’m a big kid now and can see the negative aspects… I would just like a solid answer so I’m not wasting my days away.

Getting a second opinion might be a good solution. I was told I needed to get the referral from my family doctor. I didn’t think to ask the specialist himself for the referral. My family doctor denied the referral because apparently they only hand out referrals to certain offices within their group.

I’m 20.. closer to 21... not really that old at all... but with every coming year…this situation gets a little more tense and played out. Though I think I can try to suck it up and play a few more cards and see what happens.

Thank you for your help and consideration.

[cplbrooks]

I think you need a second opinion, whether it is for getting into the Marine Corps or just ensuring your health. Doctors make mistakes and they don't know everything there is to know about their field. So, getting to the kidney specialist closer to your home is imperative in my mind.

Your general practicioner should be willing to give you the referal to another specialist for a second opinion. He should rethink his policy on the issue. Regardless, doctors USUALLY do not get offended when someone wants a second opinion. So, tell the kidney doc you have now that you would like him to refer you to the doctor closer to your home for a second opinion. Chances are good that he will do so without thinking twice. Once you get in to see that doctor, tell him what the other doctor has said and ask him to examine you. If he believes you are fit for military service, have him write the letter saying that you are. If he believes you are not fit for service, have one of them fix you now and maybe it can be cleared up and will allow you to join at that point.

This is good advice