I'm in the Marines Delayed Enlistment Program... Recruiter told me to lie about asthma. What if Im caught?

Question

I've asked a question similar to this. Basically, I do not want to offend anyone I'm looking for a solid answer. The Marine recruiter told me to lie. I know not to believe everything he says. I got sworn into DEP. I think I can still get out of the DEP. However, I DO NOT WANT TO... I want to join and do this its been a dream. I've never been in any legal trouble. I've heard of fraudulent enlistment. I'd gladly pay back the money for the chance but DO NOT want dishonerable discharge. If it came down to it could I say I was told to lie? I understand they probably wouldnt listen, but I need something I CANNOT get dishonerable discharge and I WANT to do this

Answer 1

Well I think it's hard to say what's going to happen. At this point it's probably best to play dumb. Problem is you might make it through boot camp but you will be in the Marines for 4 years and in the Marines you have to exercise every day to stay in shape and pass your physical performance tests. My guess you'll probably just be given a medical discharge, that's what happened to my friend who has asthma (he was discharged from the air force).

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

Your best bet is to tell the truth, because especially with something like this, the truth will eventually come out.

Neither the Marines nor anyone else wants to recruit liars, and you can't blame the recruiter as your excuse.

If you're still only in the DEP and haven't actually sworn into the Marines, you should be ok with coming clean either now or at your first medical screening, which will occur before you actually swear in as a new recruit.

I don't know enough about Marine standards or the severity of your asthma to say whether you can still get in. But come clean - call someone higher up the chain who can give you the straight information on how to proceed from here. Better to fix this mistake now than wait until later.

If you can't get into the Marines and are open to other services, check around to see if your asthma is a problem with them, and see what kind of opportunities they might offer that match your interests and capabilities.

Good luck.

PS
I did a search on the medical requirements for recruits and got some info from Answers.com that purports to be pulled from DoD recruiting standards. See links for details:
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/l/blintmedstandar.htm
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/lungs.htm
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/asthma.htm

Answer 4

Are there medical records showing you've been diagnosed with asthma? If not, then you should be okay. If there are records then it's best to tell them. I had asthma and was accepted into the Air Force. I don't know what the Marines would do if they found out, but there on be serious consequences on the battle field if you were to have an attack. You could get some of your friends killed if you couldn't do your job or worst yet you could get killed if you couldn't perform. It's best to let the medical professionals decide. Before you make your decision you could find out exactly how bad your asthma is and whether or not you're acceptable. If not, check the other services out. Asthma can be very serious and have serious consequences at the wrong time.

Answer 5

Lying to get into the military is a Federal offense. Believe me, you do not want to go in with this hanging on your shoulder. If you have already been processed then I am very very surprised that this wasn't caught in your medical. You saying that you were told to lie will get you no place unless you have a non biased witness or a recording. Your offense falls under § 883, Article 83 in the Uniform Code of Military Justice. You need to get yourself some legal counsel right away!

My free advice (free is worth nothing), don't lie.

Answer 6

Unless there is a previous medical history of asthma, you probably would receive a medical discharge if you are caught. If you do have a medical history I would not lie about the condition. If they believe that you attempted to intentionally deceive them, you may be guilty of enlistment fraud.

I would have to believe that if you caught, they will give you a medical discharge and not do anything else to you.

Answer 7

If you have asthma have you been treated in the last few years for it? They may look into your record but probably won't go back far.

My brother had a history of migraines & most have had the same recruiter as you ;-) He never got busted but he only did one enlistment.

Good luck to you!

Answer 8

If it is found, the Marines will make a determination of whether it is severe enough to prevent your being a good marine. If it is you'll get a medical discharge, otherwise they will overlook your mistake of not putting it on your application because you didn't think it was severe enough to be worth mentioning.

Answer 9

They kick you out and you join the coast gaurd...