Hi so i have kyphosis of the back. My degree is 70 which i guess is moderate but getting close to severe. I have played football my whole life and have just kind of went through the pain but recently at my job in which i stand for hours at a time i find it hard to get through the day. Once i finally get off of my feet and rest my back the pain subsides only until the next day when i do it all over again. Right now i am enlisted but i have not left for bootcamp yet and have many months until i do. I guess im just worried that once im in i'll have this horriable back pain cause i know for a fact i'll be standing a lot longer in the military than i am now. I just trying to figure out if it is worth the pain for the training or should i not stress my back which is already going to be in pain from everyday life because of my kyphosis. Im also worried about having even more pain later in life than i already will because i went to the military and was forced to suffer through it. I know this is trivial but I also don't want to look like a pussy in front of my parents and recruiters backing out because im worried about pain but they honestly don't know what i go through, it sucks having to suffer through work when everybody else can do it just fine. All answers will be appreacieated.
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H&R Moderators: VerbalTruist
Possiable back problems worth joining the military?
- Thread starter kyle1
- Start date
CHiLD-0F-THE-BEAT
Bluelighter
Hello, welcome to the forum kyle. 
My first question is have you discussed your condition with the medical staff who recruited you into the military? If not, why not? I would imagine they would be the best people to help you make the decision as to whether you should pursue that path.
That being said, there are many different career-paths you can take when you get into the military - I'm no expert, but I would imagine there would be some that don't require standing for long periods that may not affect your back?
The long and short of this is you are much better speaking with a member of the military recruiting staff and letting them know your concerns. They will know better than any of us whether you should progress and go to bootcamp, or choose a different direction.
My first question is have you discussed your condition with the medical staff who recruited you into the military? If not, why not? I would imagine they would be the best people to help you make the decision as to whether you should pursue that path.
That being said, there are many different career-paths you can take when you get into the military - I'm no expert, but I would imagine there would be some that don't require standing for long periods that may not affect your back?
The long and short of this is you are much better speaking with a member of the military recruiting staff and letting them know your concerns. They will know better than any of us whether you should progress and go to bootcamp, or choose a different direction.
Yes I have told my recruiters about it but not that I'm worried about it they just know I have it and it causes some pain. I can't tell anybody else such as army medical staff because it's severe enough that it would disqualify me from service I'm actually lucky that I even passed the physical and the doctors didn't catch it that's why I'm coming here.
cj
Bluelight Crew
I dunno man it depends. What MOS are you planning to pursue? If your trying to be in the infantry then I would say not to do it. Think about if your back gives out on you while your hauling a 120 pound pack somewhere in the afghan mountains, thats not going to be a good situation for anyone. I also know people who were injured in the army and now reallty regret joining. Something to consider.
My mos is a health care specialist but if I do end up going I'm going to go to ranger school no matter what. The way I see it if I'm gonna be stuck there for 4 years i might as well do something I can be proud of like going airborne or ranger despite my back pain.
modern buddha
Bluelighter
Hm, this is a tough dilemma and I think you're really the only one in the end that can answer that.
Do YOU think joining the military is worth possibly messing up your back for good? Is there any pressure financially that is making you consider the military? Do you even want to join the military? Is there anything else you can do for work instead?
Do YOU think joining the military is worth possibly messing up your back for good? Is there any pressure financially that is making you consider the military? Do you even want to join the military? Is there anything else you can do for work instead?
cj
Bluelight Crew
I dont want to offend you but I doubt you will make it through Ranger or jump school with a back problem. But health care field is a definate option. Another thing to consider is going to college and joining ROTC that way after graduation you go in as an officer.
XThexXTank
Bluelighter
I fucked my lower back up 2 years ago doing t bar rows. Went to the doctor and he said i had spondylolisthesis. Anyway, for back pain there are many things you can do to prepare for the military. Consider physical therapy or exercises that strengthen your back and give it support so it will take the pain away. Thats what i did and now im pain free and can hit the heavy weights again.
Just be ready for the worst and try to prepare yourself as much as you can.
Im also enlisting in the army but not now, more like in a year and a half (need to get off probation). Im also thinking about jump school after basic and ait. Also consider this, get jump school into your contract (it is like a prerequisite for ranger sniper sf and pathfinder schools) and after that if you feel like yer back wont be a problem get into RASP and go for it. Besides, you can always try again for the rangers if ya dont make it the first time.
Just be ready for the worst and try to prepare yourself as much as you can.
Im also enlisting in the army but not now, more like in a year and a half (need to get off probation). Im also thinking about jump school after basic and ait. Also consider this, get jump school into your contract (it is like a prerequisite for ranger sniper sf and pathfinder schools) and after that if you feel like yer back wont be a problem get into RASP and go for it. Besides, you can always try again for the rangers if ya dont make it the first time.