Hey guys,
My recruiter told me that i will not be able to join the reserves because i had a broken jaw and they had to put plates in... How hard is it to get a medical waiver? I don't even notice the plates are there and they don't prevent me from doing anything. Hopefully somebody can help me out with this. I have been considering making the USCG a career, so im pretty bummed.

(sorry if you are seeing this for the second time, i also put it in the reserve forum, but realized it might get more attention here.)

Do some research...CG Medical Manual

Thank you.

d. Fractures.
(1) Current malunion or non-union of any fracture (733.8) (except
asymptomatic ulnar styloid process fracture) is disqualifying.
(2) Current retained hardware that is symptomatic, interferes with proper
wearing of protective equipment or military uniform, and/or is subject
to easy trauma, is disqualifying (V53.7). Retained hardware (including
plates, pins, rods, wires, or screws used for fixation) is not disqualifying
if fractures are healed, ligaments are stable, there is no pain, and it is
not subject to easy trauma.

Chapter 3. D. Page 24

quote:

Hey guys,
My recruiter told me that i will not be able to join the reserves because i had a broken jaw and they had to put plates in... How hard is it to get a medical waiver? I don't even notice the plates are there and they don't prevent me from doing anything. Hopefully somebody can help me out with this. I have been considering making the USCG a career, so im pretty bummed.

(sorry if you are seeing this for the second time, i also put it in the reserve forum, but realized it might get more attention here.)

The Coast Guard Reserve is in need, so if your recruiter could get a waiver they would. Obviously your medical issue is not waiverable. I've gotten a few medical waivers for Reserve that active duty can't get. CPO Kalbach

PO Kalbach,
Perhaps i should have given more information. I only spoke over the phone with a recruiter and he said that my hardware would disqualify me, but he also mentioned that i could possibly get a waiver and that i would need to get a physical at MEPS(capitalized?) first to see if that was a possibility. I really hope i can enlist. According to BillyT80's post i should be able to get a waiver seeing as the fracture has heeled, there is no pain and the ligaments are stable. Again gentlemen, i thank you for your responses.

I have screws in my jaw and was able to join the Marines then the Coast Guard. Give it a try and let the Coast Guard tell you that they would not let you that you can't join or get a waiver.

From my experience take all the paperwork from your oral surgeon including a letter stating that you have not had any problems with the hardware. Good luck.

PO Kalbach,
Perhaps i should have given more information. I only spoke over the phone with a recruiter and he said that my hardware would disqualify me, but he also mentioned that i could possibly get a waiver and that i would need to get a physical at MEPS(capitalized?) first to see if that was a possibility. I really hope i can enlist. According to BillyT80's post i should be able to get a waiver seeing as the fracture has heeled, there is no pain and the ligaments are stable. Again gentlemen, i thank you for your responses.

Ok, that sounds good. Get ALL your records to see. Best of luck. CPO Kalbach