I have a relative wanting to join the military that was diagnosed with tourette syndrome at age 9 or 10. He did not require medication to control his tics at the time. He is 18 years old now, and you wouldn't know he had this diagnosis if someone didn't tell you. Is there a possibility of a waiver to get into the military?

Take a look at this web-site: http://www.usapa.army.mil/pdffiles/r40_501.pdf

You may want to look into the JobCorps (www.dol.gov/jobcorps) for your relative as another option.

if he don't need medicine... i wouldn't even bring it up... but that's not a professional opinion... i'm not a recruiter...

if you're saying that he once had a medical condition at age 9 or 10, but no longer has it now...

what's the problem?

when i clicked on this i thought he had the cussing disease where you go around cussing uncontrollably...

i was going to tell you that most military people have the cussing disease and it's nothing to worry about.

if he's having spasms or ticks... that sounds like something for a real doctor i guess... i mean, you wouldn't exactly want a guy with ticks to de-fuse the bomb now would you?

so see, it's all about if he has an existing condition... or he HAD this condition, but it no longer exists...

If he's got a mild problem... such as a blinking kind of thing... i've seen that sort all over the military and it's just not a big deal... but if he has a more severe issue... see, they can't use someone like that. it is discrimination, but they have to discriminate.

mostly because a guy with ticks can't de-fuse the bomb. a guy with the cussing disease can't exactly be an air traffic controller... you see where i'm going with this right?

now, how bad off is he... he ought to know whether he can handle it or not. just use your judgement, disclose the condition as specifically as possible to the recruiter, and handle your business lady. LOL!

I'm just kidding, but seriously... if it's mild... it ain't a big deal. maybe a waiver or something. i've seen people that couldn't sit still or pay attention in there you know. you're thinking, o.k. now he got in... but that guy with the crooked finger got disqualified???

so see, i don't know. i hope that helps you some though.

15305498

Do you even know what Tourette's Syndrome is?

The military would be the last place for someone with this

quote:

but seriously... if it's mild... it ain't a big deal

Yes . . .it is a big deal

To the OP . . . tell your relative to look elsewhere

In the words of John McEnroe, you cannot be serious, 1530 ...

You obviously don't have ANY clue about this condition, so back off and butt out. The first two responses were enough on track. The other source of good information is to Google AR 40-501 (Standards of Military Fitness), looking for the chapters on neurological disorders.

Apparently Ma'am, 1530's no longer member.

Question. My DH has tourettes and can function normally. He has been an airplane mechanic in the past and now is in school to finish his bachelors. Simply because he has tourettes would disqualify him? I am wondering because we were toying with the idea of joining the military.

Thanks in advance!

Same advice: Google AR 40-501, Chapter Two, look at the section on neurological disorders.

If he is controlled with medication, he will most likely be DQ'd. If he does not require medication, is stable, and has medical documentation to back that up, he may be one who is recommended by the MEPS docs for a waiver.

Never hurts to try. Good luck.

I had a guy about 6 years ago that said he was diagnosed with tourettes at age 7, no meds and wanted to get in. Told him to go and get to full blown neuro consults stating he did not have tourettes and I ran the waiver and he was in.

yep, my tourettes came out around 7 or 8. i never yell stuff, but just the occasional head or eye twitch. ive been in 5 now, and ironically enough, im in Scout/Sniper PLT. whats the odds huh?

quote:

I had a guy about 6 years ago that said he was diagnosed with tourettes at age 7, no meds and wanted to get in. Told him to go and get to full blown neuro consults stating he did not have tourettes and I ran the waiver and he was in.

Yukondogg - If he had tourettes, how did he get a neuro consult stating he did not have tourettes.

Anybody else have any successful stories of getting in the military with tourettes? We probably should just go talk with a recruiter to see what will happen...

Thanks!

He went out to two private doctors and had consults and brought me the results and the MEPS still said no. He also had 3 people that deal with him over long periods of time, like coaches, managers, and teachers write him letters. I took all of those things and sent them to my AF top doc and he saw the light that there was nothing wrong and gave the guy a chance. He just made SSgt at Nellis AFB.

quote:

Anybody else have any successful stories of getting in the military with tourettes? We probably should just go talk with a recruiter to see what will happen...

MEPS will always follow the set standards. It's up to each individual service if they want to "waiver" their set standard. Yukon went to bat for his applicant and the AF waiver their set standard that Tourettes was a PDQ.

Congrats on that guy Yukon!

skonk, all you can do is try, make sure you have detailed med records first, try the path of least resistance, then work your way up. Neuro consults can cost big $$$$, some insurance companies "won't" pay for them unless there is a definate need, so the money may very well come out of your own pocket. Good luck. CPO Kalbach

I was diagnosed with TS when I was about 9. I have been in for 12 years, I deployed to Iraq for 12 months with no problems and have not experienced any issues. However I do get angry at the drop of a hat but who in the Army don't. So anyone that says you can't or you don't belong just ignore them.

Unbelievable. The last post was from last June no less.

For those of you old enough to remember the Gong Show, I'm giving this topic the gong.