I need som advice regarding donating a kidney

[Csartori1988]

First, I apologize if this has been addressed before but I could find nothing certain about this topic.

I want to join the Army sometime next year. My brother was born with Chronic Renal Failure and I am basically a perfect candidate for donating a kidney to him. Most everything I have read says that donating/having one kidney is a PDQ but there is a possibility of getting a medical waiver for it.

I am looking for conformation on this matter and what the possibility of getting a waiver for this is provided there are no complications that arise from it. I am not looking to go infantry. I am interested in a computer related MOS.

Is this a possibility? How likely am I to have a waiver granted?

 

[Luigi59]

1. Missing a kidney, either from birth defect through other method (donation, accident, etc) is a disqualification under DODMERB.

D174.10 - Congenital absence of one kidney or acquired absence of one kidney

2. No one can tell you if you could acquire a waiver except the program you apply to at that time.

3. "Joining the Army" has different medical standards than the officer accession programs (Academies and ROTC) discussed in this forum.

You may get better advice consulting a forum that discussing enlisted personnel, or speaking with a recruiter.

 

[Maplerock]

I wonder...

If your brother can wait, after you enlist then donate the kidney. Perhaps you would qualify for restricted line duty. Just wondering. I have no idea if the army would allow it. You are kind to be willing to perform such a selfless act. Good luck.

 

[MemberLG]

3. "Joining the Army" has different medical standards than the officer accession programs (Academies and ROTC) discussed in this forum.

Missing a kidney is a disqualifying condition for enlisting

2–1. General
This chapter implements DODD 6130.3, Physical Standards for Appointment, Enlistment, and Induction, December 15, 2000, and DODI 6130.4, Medical Standards for Appointment, Enlistment, or Induction in the Armed Forces, January 18, 2005.

2–15. Urinary system
f. Kidney.
(1) Current absence of one kidney, congenital (753.0) or acquired (V45.73) does not meet the standard.

AR 40–501 • 14 December 2007/RAR 23 August 2010

The Army pretty much stop giving out any type of waivers recentl, since it's in a downsizing mode.

So if you donate your kidney before enlisting, not likely for you to get a waiver.

Once you join, I don't think the Army will stop you donating your kideny, but once you do you will end up appearing before a medical retention board to determine your medical fitness to serve in the Army.

 

[Pima]

I will take a different approach.

You want to go into the tech world. Have you looked into GS/contractor options.

I.E. Homeland has an Army division. You could be tied to the Army, but not in the Army.

The Army will not cry over your grave in 60-70 yrs. Your family will.

Think outside of the box before you think it is one or another.

https://www.usajobs.gov/

More specifically for computer fields, all military related.
https://www.usajobs.gov/JobSearch/S...248&search=Search!&AutoCompleteSelected=False

You can have it both. You can have that tie to the military, and you don't have to worry that you will be stationed at SKorea!

 

[pathnottaken]

I will take a different approach.

You want to go into the tech world. Have you looked into GS/contractor options.

I.E. Homeland has an Army division. You could be tied to the Army, but not in the Army.

The Army will not cry over your grave in 60-70 yrs. Your family will.

Think outside of the box before you think it is one or another.

https://www.usajobs.gov/

More specifically for computer fields, all military related.
https://www.usajobs.gov/JobSearch/S...248&search=Search!&AutoCompleteSelected=False

You can have it both. You can have that tie to the military, and you don't have to worry that you will be stationed at SKorea!

+1 (from one who tried ROTC didn't like it, but went to DoD as civilian Engineer)

 

[Csartori1988]

Thank you all for the advice and response. We have decided that we can wait so that I may join.