Can i still be in the navy or airforce if i take medicine 4 seizures?

Answer 1

It depends on whether or not the medicine is being taken FOR seizures or not - there are several automatic medical disqualifiers for military service (Asthma is one, for example) and having seizures of any type is one. It makes no difference if the medicine prevents them - the fact that you can get them is the problem. It's the same with Asthma patients - even though medicine can keep them from getting an attack, there's no guarantee they wouldn't get one at a critical moment - like during Battle Stations in a combat situation.

The rule is for the person's safety as much as it is the people around him/her. If you are overcome at any point at a critical moment, it could endanger the lives of a lot of people. For example, I was in the Submarine Force, and each person is essential during damage control or battle scenarios. If you are incapacitated, it not only can cause loss of life for others, you become part of the current problem and not part of the solution. Rather than put anyone in that situation, the military doesn't allow it to begin with.

Does it suck - you bet. Asthma is what essentially ended my Naval career, even though I got it while serving. You have no idea what a psychological blow it was also.

Now, if the medicine you're taking is FOR seizures, but you're taking it for something else and NOT a seizure, that's different altogether. As long as your health doesn't include any medical disqualifiers, it doesn't really matter what you're taking, as long as it's not illegal ('Cocaine, etc.) Be prepared to answer why you're taking it though if you're not taking it for seizures, as I guarantee the question will be asked. An example of this is using a drug as an "augment" medicine, such as using an anti-depressant along with a pain medication. As long as the drug is being used for a condition that is not a medical disqualifier, it shouldn't be a problem.