[RichL025]

Reaper,

I agree with you in principle, but I'm not sure this guy is "physically limited". He distantly had 2 compression fractures, presumably from an acute injury. Assuming that they are fully healed (as he indicated) then the worst he has to worry about is arthritis in his 50s instead of his 60s. His episode a few months ago sounds like an acute back sprain, again, NOT something that is necessarily going to indicate that he has a "weak" back.

He's 21 years old. I sincerely doubt he is describing degenerative disc disease or that he has a herniated disc. He's just a kid who lifted something awkwardly & had an acute strain (as evidenced by his complete recovery after 3 days)

Unless SFAS has changed significantly since I went through, he will have a helluva "stress test" to see how good his back really is. (Hell, I've got a great back, and it nearly killed ME) If he can be selected through SFAS, then I dare say his back has just as much chance of holding out as anyones'.

If he truly has physical limitations from his back, then that will come out in SFAS (hell, it would probably come out in basic trainng!)

To the OP: If that's really what you want to do, then by all means I say go for it. Special Operators are always in short supply. Just beware that the vast majority of people who start the training "pipeline" do not finish (which is why they are in such short supply).

(Caveat to original poster: I am not your doctor, and have no way of diagnosing you. All of this advice is in general, and any medical advice is subject to confirmation by your doctor after he has a chance to examine you)