Army - Medical Discharge

[AirAssault]

Hello All,

I have watched this board for a couple of weeks before I decided to ask this question. I was hoping some other brave soul would ask it before I had the chance to. Does anyone know the status of a disabled veteran in the eyes of local and state police departments. There is a chance, due to a knee injury, I might be medically discharged from the Army. I am currently deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and with less than a year left before the final decision is made my time is fading away. I had knee surgery almost a year ago and I am confident in my ability to pass a police academy, patrol urban areas, but my doctor has doubts about my ability to ruck march with a 50+ lbs ruck sack on a regular basis. I am only one year into my undergraduate degree, with three years military experience, and I will be taking my A&P exam in the December 06 timeframe. At that point I will have an AAS in aviation and still be working on my BA in CS. I am qualified to work in a aviation section as a mechanic, but I would rather not work in the field at this point in my life. I am currently a aircraft mechanic and would like to progress out of this field into law enforcement. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

[daveplaz]

I had knee surgery almost a year ago and I am confident in my ability to pass a police academy, patrol urban areas, but my doctor has doubts about my ability to ruck march with a 50+ lbs ruck sack on a regular basis.

Medical injuries are usually considered on a case by case basis so while yu may be DQ'd at one department, you may be accepted by another. However, I do think you'll have a tough road ahead of you considering all the other uninjured candidates that will be applying for the same spot.

Something you might want to keep in mind is this: While you may not be hucking around a 50 lb rucksack, (and I still remember what a mother that was when I was in the Marines), you will still be weighted down by your bullet proof vest, black grear, gun, ammo, ASP, handcuffs, OC spray, radio, etc. While that sounds fairly easy, the weight does add up after a while. Couple that with running after dirtbags, wrestling/fighting with them, then having to drag their bitching, screaming, kicking bodies back to the patrol car, it could cause a considerable amount of stress to your knee, not to mention, God Forbid, if some jerk kicks your knee or hits it with something.

I'm not trying to sound discouraging but it's something you might want to consider. After all, your knee, whether in good shape or blown out, will be with you for life.

However, if you want to pursue a career in law enforcement, and are willing to accept the risks involved, then I say go for it and best of luck!

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[L-1]

As daveplaz said, each agency has its own standards so it will depend on where you are applying.

Depenting on the agency, you most likely will get extra points on your test score for being a vetran, but the fact that your injury was sustained during military service will have no special meaning.

The key here is whether you injury will prevent you from performing the minimum physical duties of the job (which are uaually well defined in most agencies).

To give you an idea of law enforcement concerns regarding injuries of this nature, take a look at:

http://www.post.ca.gov/selection/pdf/Musculo.pdf