Hi, I was planning on joining the marines, but I noticed that I have a medical issue on the disqualification list. My problem is that I am missing my left testicle. I am not 100% sure why but I think it has something to do with me being born about 4 weeks early. Anyways it doesn't affect me at all, and I am in excellent shape, so will this PDQ me or can I still join

It is more likely an undescended testicle, rather than a "missing" one. Get evaluated by a board-certified urologist, and take that documentation with you to have for your recruiter.

It is not an automatic disqualifier.

Good luck.

PS. You should not be embarrassed by anything - the MEPS docs (and most experienced recruiters) have seen and heard it all. Just be matter-of-fact about it, like you would about a case of acne or any appendectomy.

A undescended testicle can later in life become cancerous. This is do to the testicle being up next to the bone and subjected to warmer tempatures.
My son had a undescended testicle and doctors lowered it with a simple medical procedure.
If this is the case with you ---- you need to get it taken care of.

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I was just scanning the site. I like the professional way both Cider33Alpha and Bullhunter responded.

There are no embarassing ?s when dealing w/your health and career.

The best to 12913939!

Similar issue here...per the regs, it's disqualifying--can it be waivered? Or only if you have corrective surgery?

As Bullhunter said, it's more than an issue of embarrassment or qualifying for military service. It's REALLY an issue of preventing serious complications that are easily preventable.

If corrected, and if there are no complications, after a period of recovery (3-6 months and discharge by the surgeon from further follow-up), either outright qualification or a medical waiver is very likely to happen.

Hey thanks a lot for your answers. I will definatly get it checked out. Hopefully its not a disqualifyer.

Thanks again

I work for a veterans service organization. A missing testicle would not cause the military to reject you. It would be noted on your entrance exam. It would not be a disability that you could claim as service connected when you are discharged because it is pre-exisitng medical condition prior to your entry into the military. Only if the condition were somehow aggravated beyond any normal progression, a claim for service connection could be filed.

By the way, the military takes people with flat feet, pre-existing knee conditions(like High Scholl football injuries etc, visual problems so on and so on). In other words, a person does not have to be a perfect physical specimen to be accepted into the military.

Hey, I ended up deciding to go ROTC instead, and I got a medical disqualification today for the missing testicle. I know why it is missing now. I was born a few weeks early and it was undeveloped and had to be removed. The doctor who reviewed me didnt think it was a problem but apparently the meps review board did. It says i need to send a written request to cadet command. What exactly should I include in that. I really really really want this waiver and I am willing to do almost anything to get it. Any ideas? Thank you

Ok, so I sent in the waiver request and they asked for remedials. I finished them and sent the info back to cadet command. Now Im just waiting on their response. I am really hoping and praying that I get the waiver.

Beware: Just because you passed the physical for ROTC doesn't mean you will pass entrance physical. Few months ago there was some editorial discussion in the Navy Times about ROTC graduates who had to repay the Navy their tuition costs because they could not pass the entrance physical (even though they passed several ROTC physicals). What stopped them at the entrance physical was accepted for the ROTC physical: in other words, it wasn't a "new" problem that came up preventing them from passing the military entrance physical.

This is not as un commen as you would think. In 4 years as a Army Recruiter I did run into several cases. All it took was a medical wavier and they were allowed to sign up. Been a long time ago and I can't remember how the waiver was put togather, I do know it required doctor letters etc. Sgt D

"It's hard to push a Chain"

The loss of or missing testicle may cause a decreased amount of testosterone hormones which can effect muscle strength, agillity, or developement. This may be the reason the military is concerned with this. I had a late decending testicle which resulted in an abnormally low amount of the hormone in my system. I have to take an androgen replacement (Androgel) to offset the deficiancy. I was always weaker and less athletiic than other guys, I think this was the reason. It went undiagnosed for years. You should ask your doctor if he thinks you need a "free testoserone" blood test. Hope this helps you.

My testosterone is fine. Im one of the bigger more athletic people in my class, and Im in excellent shape. The thing is, mine was atrophic, meaning it was twisted from the beginning and never developed. The other one therefore adapted even before I was born and picked up the slack. The doctor that did my remedial said that I was perfectly fine, and more than capable of service. That said though, Im still waiting on that waiver. i called the surgeon at Cadet Command and he said they had it for review, but due to backlogged waiver requests, it could take sometime before I am informed of a decision. Thank you for all your comments, I really appreciate you taking the time to post them.

Good news, I got my waiver the other day so now I am on board for the scholarship and the chance to commission. Thank you everyone for keeping my hopes up. I appreciate it.

Great to hear that you are on track....

Good Luck