Eczema and SOF

[asewland]

I've just found out that I have a mild form of eczema that affects the insides of my elbows and my trunk area. I understand that eczema is a disqualifiable condition due to the fact that people w/ eczema can suffer possibly fatal complications from getting a smallpox virus. I also understand that a waiver can be obtained for eczema. This leads me to my two main questions:

1. How likely am I to obtain a waiver for eczema given the current military situation?

2. How will eczema affect my chances of trying out a Special Operations Force?

I'd also like to mention that I don't think my doctor has recorded eczema as a condition I have (he's only written a prescription for me as far as I know)

 

[Deleted member 2517]

I've just found out that I have a mild form of eczema that affects the insides of my elbows and my trunk area. I understand that eczema is a disqualifiable condition due to the fact that people w/ eczema can suffer possibly fatal complications from getting a smallpox virus. I also understand that a waiver can be obtained for eczema. This leads me to my two main questions:

1. How likely am I to obtain a waiver for eczema given the current military situation?

2. How will eczema affect my chances of trying out a Special Operations Force?

I'd also like to mention that I don't think my doctor has recorded eczema as a condition I have (he's only written a prescription for me as far as I know)

Sounds like we're in a pretty similar situation (mine is a little on the scalp and my wrists). I've been told to not say shit about it as they probably won't notice it at MEPS (if its moderate) and to keep it exposed to sun as vitamin D helps.

Hopefully someone will be a long to shed some light on the waiver situation.

 

[MOTOMETO]

Something that could help you guys out. http://www.naturalnews.com/037615_eczema_natural_remedies_immunity.html

 

[asewland]

Something that could help you guys out. http://www.naturalnews.com/037615_eczema_natural_remedies_immunity.html

Thanks for the link. The advice they give in the article seems to be sounds (although, they exaggerate how bad eczema is , for me, its nothing more than a minor annoyance at times)

BTW do you have eczema as well?

 

[MOTOMETO]

Negative, I was told I have Seborrheic Dermatitis in boot camp and I guess the two are similar in symptoms.

 

[shortbrownguy]

I have a dumb question.
Have you posed this question to a recruiter? A simple Google search will yield amazing results, including the number to the SORB(Special Operations Recruiting Battalion). You can get your answer from the horses mouth...

YMMV
SBG sends.

 

[Grimfury160]

I was diagnosed with Contact Dermatitis while in SOAR, no consequences ..........continued the mission no questions asked.

 

[surgicalcric]

...The advice they give in the article seems to be sounds (although, they exaggerate how bad eczema is, for me, its nothing more than a minor annoyance at times...

Eczema differs from person to person and what is an exaggeration to you is a fact of life for someone else. I have seen cases so bad it made the guy, luckily he wasnt a team guy, useless for a couple days while he took care of it.

And with that in mind, how often have you lived in austere conditions for weeks/months at a time, wearing the same clothing for a week or more between washes while carrying kit that restricts airflow, only bathing from a pack of baby wipes? What is a "minor annoyance at times" could become a mission stopper at others.

Something to think about...

Since each SOF unit has distinct missions we each look for some of the same yet different qualities which SOF unit are you interested in?

 

[asewland]

I have a dumb question.
Have you posed this question to a recruiter? A simple Google search will yield amazing results, including the number to the SORB(Special Operations Recruiting Battalion). You can get your answer from the horses mouth...

YMMV
SBG sends.

No, I have not. I'm planning on heading to the Army recruiting station in my town to ask the question there in addition to checking out the site you gave me. I apologize for not searching more before posting.

Eczema differs from person to person and what is an exaggeration to you is a fact of life for someone else. I have seen cases so bad it made the guy, luckily he wasnt a team guy, useless for a couple days while he took care of it.

And with that in mind, how often have you lived in austere conditions for weeks/months at a time, wearing the same clothing for a week or more between washes while carrying kit that restricts airflow, only bathing from a pack of baby wipes? What is a "minor annoyance at times" could become a mission stopper at others.

Something to think about...

Since each SOF unit has distinct missions we each look for some of the same yet different qualities which SOF unit are you interested in?

Didn't think about it like that. Thanks for the perspective. As to which SOF unit I'm most interested in, Special Forces has been the one that I've been focusing on the most.

 

[policemedic]

I'd also like to mention that I don't think my doctor has recorded eczema as a condition I have (he's only written a prescription for me as far as I know)

I see where you're going. Do you not see a potential issue or twelve there?

 

[shortbrownguy]

I can tell you as an SF soldier, you will be exposed to dermatological issues that have been show stoppers for others without preexisting skin conditions. I'm not a doctor or an 18D, but you are setting yourself up for failure, and more importantly those around you.

Hiding it from the Army may get your foot in the door, but are you willing to be the guy who caused a mission to fail because of it? Just because you want to be an SF soldier, doesn't mean you can be, and sometimes things we have no control over prevent us from going down a certain path.

JMHO

SBG sends.

 

[asewland]

I see where you're going. Do you not see a potential issue or twelve there?

I can tell you as an SF soldier, you will be exposed to dermatological issues that have been show stoppers for others without preexisting skin conditions. I'm not a doctor or an 18D, but you are setting yourself up for failure, and more importantly those around you.

Hiding it from the Army may get your foot in the door, but are you willing to be the guy who caused a mission to fail because of it? Just because you want to be an SF soldier, doesn't mean you can be, and sometimes things we have no control over prevent us from going down a certain path.

JMHO

SBG sends.

I did think about hiding my eczema and slipping through the system but not only would that be dishonest it would also like you guys said cause problems for me and any of my teammates down the road. I'm going to talk to a recruiter soon and find out my chances for getting a waiver for my eczema. If it turns out that I'm not able to get a waiver, I'll accept the reality and fall back on my plan B. Thanks for all the advice.

 

[asewland]

To add on, it turns that my eczema just be contact dermatitis instead. I did some more research on it and eczema is something that you're born with while contact dermatitis is something that is triggered by an irritant. I'm going to talk to my doctor about it the first chance I get.