HIV-positive recruits still face barriers to military enlistment, despite federal ruling

HIV-positive recruits say they have been turned away from military service or faced roadblocks to enlistment.

In August , a federal judge struck down the military’s prohibition on letting people with HIV enlist.

The Defense Department on Oct. 18 instructed its branches in an internal memo, which NBC News has reviewed, to adhere to the legal decision.

HIV-positive man sought in September to enlist in the National Guard through a recruitment office in South Carolina .

Recruitment office said he disclosed upfront to recruiters that he had HIV and said they assured him that it would be no impediment.

But when he attended an informational slideshow presentation at a Military Entrance Processing Station, he said, the text on one slide stood out: “Absolutely no HIV” A recruiter who had looked into the matter told him that having the virus did, in fact, preclude him.

“Hopefully, in the closing days and hours, the administration can get this done,” said Quigley , referring to his hope for more exacting guidance on how military recruiters should implement a policy permitting enlistment by people with HIV and the withdrawal of the appeal. “But obviously, it’s not looking good at this point in time,” Quigley said. “To those who want to serve, my message to them is: Thank you. Don’t give up. We’re not going to give up.”.