Surgery for an interested student

[Nilgawn]

I am 17 years old living in Saskatchewan, and interested in joining the Canadian Armed Forces. I want to be an Engineer Officer, but have two problems. They are my knees. I tore my left ACL in October of 2009, and still awaiting surgery. I recently tore my right ACL, just over a month ago. The reason I want to be an Engineer Officer is because when I am done High School, I want to go into the field of Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering or Mine Engineering. I am a very physically fit male, with brains to boot, but my knees are limiting me. I am interested in joining the Canadian Armed Forces if they can accelerate the dates of my surgeries. I am going to phone the recruiting center to find out, but thought I should check here too. Any knowledge to enlighten me with?

 

[Jarnhamar]

You'll want to get your knees fixed before joining the Canadian Forces.

I'm not sure if they would even accept you with torn ACLs in your knees. It doesn't make sence to hire someone that's effectively broken.

The waiting list for surgery military wise seems to be longer than civlian side.

This is just he said she said but generally from what I've noticed people seem to prefer going to civlian doctors over military ones.

There are a few untrained privates in the military who are injured and seem to float around in a sort of purgatory- it's a very lonely place to be.    Get your knees fixed before joining.

 

[Nilgawn]

Thank you very much. It does make sense to get the surgery and heal before applying.

 

[McD]

You dont want to cause more injury to your knees. Work hard in rehab ! You'll be good to go. Good luck !!!

 

[Alea]

I am going to phone the recruiting center to find out, but thought I should check here too.

Hi Nilgawn,

This is the best thing to do  :nod:

Good luck,
Alea

 

[CombatDoc]

I am interested in joining the Canadian Armed Forces if they can accelerate the dates of my surgeries. I am going to phone the recruiting center to find out, but thought I should check here too. Any knowledge to enlighten me with?

If I understand you correctly, you have bilateral ACL tears but are not yet a member of the CF?

Don't bother calling the recruiting centre, there is nothing that they can do to expedite your surgery in the civlian sector.  As others have already noted, get your surgery, heal up, and go a good job with your post-op rehab.  Once that is done, you will be in a position to apply to the CF.  Good luck.

 

[PMedMoe]

The waiting list for surgery military wise seems to be longer than civlian side.

And your basis for this statement is ?

 

[Jarnhamar]

And your basis for this statement is ?

Hey PMedMoe,
I went to Monfort to get an injury looked at (ironically, a knee injury). I initially went to a civilian doctor who hooked me up for a consaultation for surgery.
Since I'm class B I should have went to the military docs so  I went up to sick parade at Monfort. The doctor there said it was probably in my best interest to keep the civilian appointment as it's a 4 or 5 month wait if I went through the military (compared to 1 month civi side). They lead me to believe the weight through the military was considerably longer.
That's why I suggest it seems to be, rather than 100% fact. I could still be RTFO though.


I think CombatDoc is right about not even calling the recruiting center. You don't want your first impression to be; I have a fairly serious injury and I'm going to need some operations before joing, but I'd still like to join.

It'll be better to get your knees sorted out through operations (voodoo, whatever) then when you're good to go apply to the military. That way you can say "I had a surgry in the past but I'm good to go now and here is the doctors letter saying the same thing".  You'll be more desirable to the military.

 

[PMedMoe]

Hey PMedMoe,
I went to Monfort to get an injury looked at (ironically, a knee injury). I initially went to a civilian doctor who hooked me up for a consaultation for surgery.
Since I'm class B I should have went to the military docs so  I went up to sick parade at Monfort. The doctor there said it was probably in my best interest to keep the civilian appointment as it's a 4 or 5 month wait if I went through the military (compared to 1 month civi side). They lead me to believe the weight through the military was considerably longer.
That's why I suggest it seems to be, rather than 100% fact. I could still be RTFO though.

For the most part, the military wait for surgery is usually shorter than the civilian side, of course there are exceptions. 
And yes, if you're on a Cl B over 180 days, you should have gone to sick parade, first.