# I made a young woman cry today. (Recruiter related) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 6, 2009, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-made-a-young-woman-cry-today-recruiter-related/484676 "2009-02-06T05:43:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-made-a-young-woman-cry-today-recruiter-related/484676/21 "2009-02-06T14:32:43Z")
> [@scifisam2009](#): > > Though maybe if this news made her cry, she wouldn’t be tough enough for some aspects of miltary service. What, soldiers are automatons? The OP is a recruiter, has been around the block a bit, and he felt bad about this. ---
**Author:** ![Furious\_Marmot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dfb087/32.png) [@Furious\_Marmot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Furious_Marmot)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-made-a-young-woman-cry-today-recruiter-related/484676/22 "2009-02-06T14:40:41Z")
Not so fast on the ‘only one way out’ angle. Sure, it might seem that way, but she’s a kid who’s just had her plans smashed. I seem to recall that Paris has a sizable community college. If she’s smart and motivated enough for the Army, she’s smart and motivated enough to go there. In-state tuition at CC in Texas is pretty cheap, as state education goes, certainly doable with the kind of crap jobs an 18 year old can get. She can learn a trade or, if she’s really smart, go on to state college. If she is dead set on serving the armed forces in some capacity, she can learn to be an electrician or somesuch, and work as a contractor. There are lots of ways ‘out’ for young people in small towns, if they are driven and willing to leave it all behind. Yes, the military can be a very good option, but it’s not the only one. ---
**Author:** ![Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helen_s_Eidolon)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-made-a-young-woman-cry-today-recruiter-related/484676/23 "2009-02-06T15:19:22Z")
Eczema? Really? What’s next, dandruff? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-made-a-young-woman-cry-today-recruiter-related/484676/24 "2009-02-06T15:36:54Z")
You have to understand the military here - they don’t want anything present that will pose more than a slight risk on the battlefield. You might want to shrug off eczema - but take an individual who has it, put them into a full uniform, place them into a desert with daytime temperatures of about 120 degrees, and deny them the ability to shower regularly. That individual could be septic within a couple of days. I’m sure you don’t want that. The Army doesn’t want it either. And I’d rather they be overly cautious about this than just shrug it off as you seem to want to do. My grandfather was turned down for the draft during WWII when they were pretty much taking everyone - he had a heart murmur all his life, I guess, but he only found out about it in his induction physical. Now, this is a man who was a steelworker in an era when that took considerable physical labor, and in his spare time he would hunt and fish and hike. When he died in his late seventies, it wasn’t his heart that killed him. His ticker probably would have stood up to combat, but there was a small chance it wouldn’t have. And while Pap was the kind of guy willing to take odds there, the Army wasn’t - because his ticker could have given out at the worst possible time for the guy next to him. It was a huge disappointment for him at the time, but it didn’t prevent him from contributing to that war in his way (like I said, he was a steelworker) and living a fullfilling life afterward. So there you go. ---
**Author:** ![Furious\_Marmot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dfb087/32.png) [@Furious\_Marmot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Furious_Marmot)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-made-a-young-woman-cry-today-recruiter-related/484676/25 "2009-02-06T15:37:22Z")
> [@Jolly\_Roger](#): > > Too hairy. Not kidding. Granted, the guy looked like Ookla the Mok, but come on. What’s the rationale there? Clogs the government’s shower drains? Easily waterlogged? Might be mistaken for a Wookiee mercenary? Freaks out the ladies? ---
**Author:** ![Freejooky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ba8739/32.png) [@Freejooky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freejooky)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-made-a-young-woman-cry-today-recruiter-related/484676/26 "2009-02-06T15:38:45Z")
Is the Army really that flush with members that they can start turning people away for a little rash? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-made-a-young-woman-cry-today-recruiter-related/484676/27 "2009-02-06T15:44:27Z")
Answered above. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-made-a-young-woman-cry-today-recruiter-related/484676/28 "2009-02-06T15:57:19Z")
Can she attempt to apply to the Navy or Air Force? Or would this disqualification carry over? ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-made-a-young-woman-cry-today-recruiter-related/484676/29 "2009-02-06T16:09:03Z")
Jeeze-o-flip. Three other doctors have certified that the first doctor was mistaken? and the military won’t listen to them but it’ll listen to the first guy? ::headdesk:: I understand the reasoning behind excluding someone with eczema but when 3/4 of the medical professionals say it ain’t so, that’s really unfortunate. (aside: now I know my daughter wouldn’t be able to serve as she has eczema that can be pretty bad at times. There are many reasons why it wouldn’t be a great idea for her to enlist, but it sounds like this would make all of them non-issues. Peanut allergies too? that lets out Dweezil. He’d be a horrible candidate as well what with being autistic ‘n’ all but that might not be obvious to a recruiter). ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-made-a-young-woman-cry-today-recruiter-related/484676/30 "2009-02-06T16:30:57Z")
I wonder if maybe another branch of the military might accept her? I don’t know - I’m just a mom of someone in the military. I don’t understand the in’s and out’s really so if that’s a stupid question, I apologize. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-made-a-young-woman-cry-today-recruiter-related/484676/31 "2009-02-06T16:36:36Z")
> [@olivesmarch4th](#): > > Oh, and a totally random question – do psych disorders disqualify you, too? They Navy let me in, balance issues and all, right out of high school. I wasn’t on any medication and hadn’t been diagnosed as having Depression nor the occasional Anger issue yet, although I had been having symptoms, and the shrinks at Great Lakes didn’t seem to be in any position to do so. Those guys were so incompetent, their diplomas must have come out of Cracker Jack boxes! ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-made-a-young-woman-cry-today-recruiter-related/484676/32 "2009-02-06T16:48:30Z")
> [@Missy2U](#): > > I wonder if maybe another branch of the military might accept her? > > I don’t know - I’m just a mom of someone in the military. I don’t understand the in’s and out’s really so if that’s a stupid question, I apologize. MEPS processes recruits from all branches. There aren’t separate medical exams. ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-made-a-young-woman-cry-today-recruiter-related/484676/33 "2009-02-06T16:50:53Z")
I understand about MEPS, I just wondered if there were different requirements/thresholds/whatever you call it for the different branches - e.g. The Air Force might have different requirements physical wise than say The Army? ---
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-made-a-young-woman-cry-today-recruiter-related/484676/34 "2009-02-06T16:56:35Z")
> [@Jolly\_Roger](#): > > Schwartz, I’ve had MEPS dq applicants because of > > A blister. The guy ran 10 miles a day and had a small blister on his foot. > Acne. Yes, Acne. Whoa…a 17 yr old with acne! Call hazmat! > Allergic to peanuts > Too hairy. Not kidding. Granted, the guy looked like Ookla the Mok, but come on. … Does any one have any idea how any of these conditions could possibly hinder someone from serving in the Armed Forces? ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-made-a-young-woman-cry-today-recruiter-related/484676/35 "2009-02-06T17:00:51Z")
> [@gytalf2000](#): > > … > > Does any one have any idea how any of these conditions could possibly hinder someone from serving in the Armed Forces? I got curious and did some googling. From here: [Join the Military | Military.com](http://www.military.com/Recruiting/Content/0,13898,rec_step07_DQ_medical,,00.html) > [@](#): > > Acne, severe, or when extensive involvement of the neck, shoulders, chest, or back would be aggravated by or interfere with the wearing of military equipment, and would not be amenable to treatment. Patients under treatment with isotretinoin (Accutane) are medically unacceptable until 8 weeks after completion of course of therapy. . My guess is that a normal teenage dose of zits wouldn’t be an issue, but someone covered with them might have problems. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-made-a-young-woman-cry-today-recruiter-related/484676/36 "2009-02-06T17:09:46Z")
I have eczema which is reasonably under control right now, but it sometimes is quite bad. My late sister sometimes was unable to hold a pencil or turn a doorknob. She had to give up the guitar because she couldn’t wrap her hand around the neck. And then sometimes it would almost all clear up. I feel that a weapon would be of similar proportions? She could never have been able to fire a rifle when her eczema was flaring, and hot, humid conditions can only aggravate it. I am sorry for the young lady, but the Army is right. ---
**Author:** ![Jolly\_Roger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/91b2a8/32.png) [@Jolly\_Roger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jolly_Roger)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-made-a-young-woman-cry-today-recruiter-related/484676/37 "2009-02-06T17:16:24Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > Can she attempt to apply to the Navy or Air Force? Or would this disqualification carry over? They all see the SAME doctor at MEPs. I wonder if maybe the medical records from her doctors could be resubmitted. Theres a chance that she could still get in but its a small one. > [@](#): > > What’s the rationale there? Clogs the government’s shower drains? Easily waterlogged? Might be mistaken for a Wookiee mercenary? Freaks out the ladies? I don’t know. It was about 5 years ago, but I clearly remember being so angry I threw the phone on my desk at the wall. Sturdy phone…it didn’t break. But my boss was not amused. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-made-a-young-woman-cry-today-recruiter-related/484676/38 "2009-02-06T17:35:55Z")
This thread brings back memories. When I was at MEPS and all us guys were standing around in our underwear being examined for this and that, there was this guy who looked like a young Thor. White, blond, and built like brick shithouse underwear model. Except most of his body was covered in eczema. It seemed the doctors were discussing whether to approve him, not immediately DQing him. Don’t know if he ever got in. I’d tell the young woman in the OP to possibly try another MEPS. Is that something you could make happen, **Schwartz**? ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-made-a-young-woman-cry-today-recruiter-related/484676/39 "2009-02-06T17:37:33Z")
Somewhat related. The Armed forces (Navy mostly) actually considered not letting me in because basically… Drum roll please… I couldnt (quite) pee straight. I kid you not. And as far as the military was concerned, I was a godsend qualification wise. A real first string recruit type. Recruiter types probably had wet dreams about me. For various reasons I never did go into military, but I came damn close and to this day wonder I made the wrong choice by not going into the miltary. I actually had to pee at a urinal with the “pee pee inspector” watching with a clipboard. Seeing this, I went into the private contractor/consulting business helping men pee straight and have been raking in the dough ever since ! 🙂 I kid about the last sentence, but not anything else. Honest. ---
**Author:** ![NicePete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ee7513/32.png) [@NicePete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NicePete)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-made-a-young-woman-cry-today-recruiter-related/484676/40 "2009-02-06T18:27:16Z")
SSG, if it’s any consolation, you were only the bearer of bad news. _You_ didn’t break her heart, you just had the unpleasant job of telling her that someone else did. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-made-a-young-woman-cry-today-recruiter-related/484676.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-made-a-young-woman-cry-today-recruiter-related/484676.md?page=3)