Can my son who is Bi-Polar/ADHD social security disabled since age five and in special ED join military?

Question

How would the recruiters find out?

Answer 1

Probably won't get through the medical based on ADHD letlone being Bi-Polar and attending Special School.

They are very strict, my cousin who is very fit (runs, does weights, kick boxing, etc) didn't pass because the back pack left an imprint on his back after he'd been carrying it all day. They said that meant he had a weak back - how bizarre?

Answer 2

I was a recruiter for three years very recently. Your son is permanently disqualified from all branches. Anyone who has been diagnosed with a mental disorder (bi-polar) cannot enlist. The only way for him is to have a doctor examine him and put in writing that he is not bi-polar and does not have ADHD and then you could submit for a waiver that probably won't get approved. The fact that he has been on SSI indicates that you are not going to get a doctor to testify that he is fine now.

Answer 3

If your son can meet the minimum requirements (including education, medical, fitness, backgroud check, etc.) then by all means APPLY!!
But since you mentioned that he is Bi-Polar/ADHD, military life may not be suitable for him if he was accepted.
If he is commited to being part of a military organization, I suggest for him to look for a cadet corps (Royal Canadian Army Cadets, Royal Canadian Air Cadets, Royal Canadian Sea Cadets) and become a voluteer. He may be accepted as a "CI" which means Civilian Instructor. There are many corps and squandrons across Canada that could benefit from diverse volunteers and instructors.
The best of luck to you and your son!

Answer 4

First, I am assuming your son is on meds to control his disability. If you were honest and up front about it, they would say no. If you lie, they would find out because he would not be allowed to take any medications during basic training. I know that it is not a good idea for people with Bi-Polar disorder to go off their meds. Your son will be better off serving his country in another way.

Answer 5

perfect scenerio of what happens when you lie to your recuiter about health problems to enlist: My husband is a SGT in the Army, he has a soldier who enlisted had no visible signs of bad health, he is orignally from Kansas gets stationed in NY. He is married with 1 small child. He moves his wife here and after a while they start having problems and decide to divorce. One day this soldier didnt show up to work so people from his unit went looking for him. Turns out he was an epileptic and has seizures since he was a child they found him on the floor of his house by himself he had been there all night with his tounge bleeding and bruises from falling. When they asked him if it had ever happend before he confessed and told them that he stopped taking his medication to join the Army (he has been in for about 2 years) so now they are kicking him out for lying to the recuiter to join, I'm not quite sure why you would even want to send someone to the military with the problems your son has especially with all the deployments right now just for his own safety and mental well being. no offense but problems like that would put the other soldiers at risk during combat.

Answer 6

Because themilitary WILL do a background check and his social security number WILL show him as being on SS.

Anyone currently on Meds for any mental illness is permanently disqualified. Bi Polar is a PDQW in and of itself, even if he wasn't on meds.

trying to lie is the worst possible thing you could suggest to your son. Ommitting information like that ios FRAUD and he woiuld be discharged and receive ZERO benefits, wasting not only his time, but the military's time and money as well.

Answer 7

If the recruiters miss it, the medical teams may not. If the medical team doesn't detect the problem the recruit trainers certainly will when he is under duress and his meds wear off!

Save the government the money they will spend on something that will never happen, give him up if lies about his medical history!

Answer 8

if he is on disability, the government would look up his background with his SSN and find it out. Unless it is controlled by a medication, then he may not be able to join. but if he can function properly in the world then he may be able to. But why is he on ssi if he thinks he can join the military. He would probably loose his ssi benefits.

Answer 9

It would seem better to me that it you did not believe all of the bi-polar crap and adhd crud, he might be alright if you spent some time with him. I have seen too many parents buy into this when most of it is actually their failure as parents. We did not have all of this when I was young. If a kid wanted to play and have fun, no one said he was hyper active. But then our parents did not have to have 72 inch TVs the latest BMW etc, that both parents had to work and turn their kid over to shrink to massage their guilt. Shame on you and your kind.

Answer 10

My name is SGT Wagner i am a re enlistment NCO. there are special waivers for people in the army. you could ask to see if he qualifies. each soldier is given a physical code and thet determines his MOS he would not be qualified to be in combat arms but he may qualify to do support jobs. your best bet is to call a recruter and ask. if you have any problem contacting on e-mail me and i will help you.