Medical Waiver, Naval Attorney?
Hi,
I am interested in going to law school. Obviously, a legal education is filled with expensive tuition and fees. I have thought about joining the Navy and becoming a Naval Attorney after my education. I know I could never pass the medical exam. I have a muscle disorder in my lower extremities. I walk with leg braces knee high and I walk with a slight limp. The name of the condition is Spastic diplegia. I do not have the average lifestyle of somebody who has this disorder. I have a very minor form of this and I live a 95% of a normal life thanks to many surgeries and years of stretching, strengthening, and rehabilitation. I am just afraid that the Navy will see that condition and automatically disqualify me. I do not want to be involved in any combat and I am interested in becoming an Attorney in the Navy I am curious if it will be easy to obtain a medical wavier? I appreciate any answers.
Thanks
Nothing to be sorry about, that is just the way it is. I figured because I want to be an attorney in the military it would be easier to receive a waiver. My father was a medical officer in the Navy at the beginning of his medical career.
I do not want to join as a Naval officer now. If it were possible I would join as an attorney after I finish my schooling. thanks
I am curious why it is a "No". I expected that answer but what is the exact reason they will not allow someone with a physical disability to practice law in the military courtrooms? I could understand if I wanted to do some form of combat but I do not understand how my physical disability effects my ability to practice law. What is the explanation they give to someone in this situation? thanks
I know I would never be able to pass the medical exam. I stated that in my question but I have heard of people who do not meet the standards and they have obtained medical waivers by writing appealing the Navy’s decision and writing to Senators. My question relates to how easy it actually is to obtain a medical waiver because I already know I would never be able to pass the medical exam. Thanks again
Edit: by appealing the *Militaries* decision, not just the Navy. I have read about this happening in multiple branches.
Cerebral palsy is not a progressive disorder. Different symptoms can develop overtime for different people; however, like I stated my disability is very minor and I am stable because of all the surgeries I have had. My one concern is that they will see Cerebral palsy and automatically disqualify me but I am not the stereotypical person you think of when you think of someone CP. It appears that it won’t matter because they are going to accept me anyway but I may still try. thanks
all officers regardless of designator are required to meet the SAME physical standards as enlisted. you cannot. Thus you will never be permitted to serve in the US Military.
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You need to talk to a medical officer but if I were voting I would say no way you would be able to get into the military! I am sorry dude!
References :
5 Years and Current Navy Officer
4 Years Navy Enlisted
2 Years Army Enlisted
Not going to happen. You’re not an attorney now so you would need to be a naval officer until you completed your JD. Regardless, they won’t take you.
References :
all officers regardless of designator are required to meet the SAME physical standards as enlisted. you cannot. Thus you will never be permitted to serve in the US Military.
References :
I think your listening to too many hopeful stories.
I served on active duty in the navy for 23 years and 7 in the reserves.
Officers and enlisted have the same physical standards for enlistment.
If you have thousands of dollars to waste and want to make an appeal you are free to do so. I doubt it will do any good. I have never met an officer with any physical disabilities serving on active duty or in the reserves.
Appreciate your interest but sorry they won’t take you. Maybe you could pursue a defense contracting job.
References :
USN Retired.
Former Navy Recruiter.
That is a tough one. It’s Little Disease and a form of cerebral palsy. Because of the progressive nature of cerebral palsy I don’t think any branch will look favorably on a waiver request, even though they do give a certain amount of leeway in applying the medical standards to doctors, attorneys and other doctoral-degreed professionals.
I would not try and seek a resolution through corresponding with some Member of Congress or Senator. Use of political influence will get you nowhere.
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