For 11 years I have always wanted to join the Military, I've been to multiple JROTC's, joined the Drill team, joined the Young Marines, and even worked as a Security Officer. I, in all honesty feel deeply saddened that my dreams have failed due to extremely stringent military policy. I hope by you signing this that we can have our dreams back. The military should be a right to anyone who is physically able, meaning having all limbs, and joints working normal. I strongly disagree that someone should be declined the opportunity to enlist due to minor issues such as kidney stones, I do understand having an episode in battle would be dangerous, so why not let us do jobs in the homeland such as the National Guard, let us become eligible for "Non Deployment". Let us do non dangerous military jobs here at home like 88M Truck Driving across the US, or possibly be a cook here in the military, maybe even become an MP. I have done a lot of physical exercise from boot camp for young marines, being a security officer and doing foot patrol for hours, and not once has a kidney stone caused me an issue. Or better, maybe we can have the kidney stone removed using Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy before being deployed which is non damaging to the body, and ensures all stones are gone. My uncle was in the USMC, Army, Airforce, and Coast Guard. He also completed a Police academy and earned several medals from the military. I believe that the Military should be an equal opportunity for everyone to join and be able to earn the same benefits as another. It makes people like me feel unaccepted, the armed forces should have fair enlistment. I believe that everyone of all types of physique can be put to good use. I dream of a day when I can enlist and so can my children. I got my GED, drivers licence and earned several college credits just so I could have a chance at the military until my history of stones ended my 11 years of planning and progress. I would like to give an example, look at President George Washington, he was one of the sickest men, always had life threatening illnesses and still managed to create this great nation. Here is a list of sicknesses he had:
?? ???? diphtheria
17 1749 malaria
19 1751 smallpox
19 1751 tuberculosis
30 1752 malaria
33 1755 dysentery
35 1757 dysentery
35 1757 tuberculosis
39 1761 malaria
39 1761 dysentery
47 1779 quinsy
52 1784 malaria
57 1789 carbuncle
58 1790 pneumonia
59 1791 carbuncle
66 1798 malaria
67 1799 epiglottitis
So why would kidney stones stop not just me, but thousands of other recruits from joining, it almost feels like unfair treatment. I apologise if anything I have said comes along as hostile, I just wish for my dream and the dream of thousands of others to continue on. God bless.
