Living Organ Donation for US Military Members
If you are in the US Armed Forces or US Coast Guard, you can be a living donor, in most cases. But you have to follow your branches’ specific policies and steps for permission; especially, since different service branches may vary in policy. To find out the specific policies and steps for your branch, contact your military unit medical provider, or your commanding officer.
In general, here are the steps you will probably need to take no matter what branch you’re in:
Ask for approval
- First, complete the initial step with the transplant center, before you ask for approval, to make sure screening process is cleared
- Ask your commander for approval to get evaluated by the transplant center
- Have your leave requirements reviewed and approved by military personnel staff
Get counseling and an exam
- Once your commander gets your request for approval, you will meet with a medical officer for counseling about donation and the surgery – the medical officer will explain that after the surgery:
• You won’t be put on special duty assignment
• You may not be eligible for disability benefits from the military or the Veterans Administration - The medical officer or a civilian doctor will give you a physical exam
- You will sign a service record entry that you got this counseling and understand what the medical officer told you
