Would a history of mental hospitalizations disqualify my nephew from the army?
My nephew is wondering if it is an option for him to join the army since he will turn 18 soon. He wants to know if his past mental related hospitalizations when he was 14 and 16 could affect his ability to get in. His diagnoses was just depression, not schizophrenia or anything like that. But he did have suicidal thoughts and the depression was serious, and he takes medicine now that regulates that.
Would it \count against him? Is he even legal to handle a gun? (most gun owner apps ask if you have a mental history) That means he might not even be able to be a cop, his second choice of what he might want to do after HS.
How much will his mental history affect his choices in the future?
Answers:
A mental medical condition would definately be a cause of concern to be addressed before the Army allows him to join. There are three potential issue the Army would have with someone who suffers from clinical depression.
1) That person would stop taking the prescribe medication and hurt himself or others.
2) Treatment may not do it's job effectively when the person is subjected to the extreme stress brought on by being in combat.
3) Should an incident take place the Army would have to pay the medical that comes from the incident, which could include health benefits to treat the pre-existing medical condition.
In most cases it's easier to for the Army to simply deny entrance to people with such conditions. Your nephew may have to fight if he truly wants into the Army.
An additional note: Unlike criminal records, medical records never seal shut or go away. In my own case I tried to join the Navy when I was 21 but I had a knee injury when I was 16, the Navy recruiter I worked with found out about it before my second visit. If he lies about his prior condition that's a definate disqualifier. Best policy is to be honest and work towards a medical waiver stating that the condition is under control.
it would in my military days, I know they have cut standards now. Which I dont agree with. When I went into the military, they requested my juvenille medical records from my doctor
Ok they clear your underage record when you turn 18, so you do not have to worry about his record. But if he still requires the medicine the will probably be able to find out that he has been diagnosed with depression. My advice would be don't apply until after he truns 18.
They will ask him is past medical history. They will deceide at what level his depression was and if it is still an issue.
If he is still on medication and will not be coming off soon I would not count on it.
You know it's funny you asked this question, because on the news tonight they were talking about military recruiting being down especially in the army. They interviewed Army recruiters in 2 different states who said that know they are excepting recruits with various past histories including some who were criminals. I think he has a good chance, he needs to go and talk with a Army recruiter now if he is serious. There are recruiting offices all over the place now. I also have to ask you if you nephew is seriously depressed is this what you want him to do? Once he's in he's in. Three months of boot camp, three state side than he's off to Iraq. If you and he think he has a mental illnesses now just wait until he comes home, that's if he makes it home. I pray to God that he will make it home if he makes this serious decision. Please give this a second, third and forth thought. There are many other law enforcement fields he can go in to, he can talk to a college counselor for help with that. God Bless you both and lots of luck with what ever you decided.
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