Should i enlist?

Question

so background information....im a girl and im 18, just graduated from high school and i have never given the army any thought whatsoever...in fact i have always been completely apposed to joining. recently, (and im not sure if its just because of the stress of not being in high school anymore and having my future ahead of me) i have been thinking that maybe the army is right for me. there are some problems though. for starters my parents are completely against me joining the armed forces, not because they dont like the army or anything but they dont want to see me get hurt or leave, etc. secondly, i have clinical depression and have been on anti-depressants for years now, am i even elegible to enlist? i dont know what i should do and i need some feedback from soldiers or people who kind of understand. please help!!

Answer 1

First off, you are 18, the decision to enlist is yours, not your parent's. Second, the depression would likely disqualify you, but, depending on the severity of it, maybe basic is just what you need to help yourself get through it. The Army is a very respectable organization and it will teach you discipline and honor. If you chose to serve, then that's a brave thing and a courageous thing to do. I wish you well whatever you chose.

Answer 2

you sound a lot like me, and im actually wondering the same thing...since you're younger than me, i definitely think you should give it more thought and try other roads first. the only thing i've considered is joining the guard or the reserves. although i think they have a longer commitment period.
it's probably the most serious commitment you can make, even more so than marriage or anything because unlike anything else you can't quit this. you're stuck for at least as many years as you sign up. the bonus which is why i've considered it is because you're highly respected and you're pretty much taken care of for life.
on the other hand you do have to realize that we are at war right now and every facet of the armed forces is deploying like hot cakes. the only thing that has stopped me is that i have somebody to live for and they make me very happy. i'm pretty sure everybody that passes the physical fitness test and health test with at least a GED can make it into the army. it just depends on what you are eligible to do in the army. the better you do on your tests the better jobs you can get.
good luck on your decision, just don't jump into anything and give some other things a shot first.

Answer 3

Clinical depression? Anti-Depressents? You're in for a long road if you are serious about trying to enlist. You're going to need a written letter from a shrink stating that you are stable and of sound mind. And then, you will have to submit a request for a waiver.
My advice to you is simple. Go to school. Get a good education. And then, if you are still thinking about joining, take that college degree and approach a recruiter about gaining a commission. Officer's lives, living conditions and pay is so much better than enlisted...
Consider this, my job while up on the line was to collect the body parts of my men (who'd died in battle) and transport them to the rear to G&R. These guys were firends. The one time I got R&R, I was assigned to burn the latrines (pull the cans out from under the stalls, add kerosene, torch the contents and then stand there stiring until there was nothing left but ash. Does THIS sound like fun to you? I guaranty your pretty little bottom that the officers didn't do these tasks -- ever! Get your education.

Answer 4

Military life is very stressful. Especially boot camp. If you are clinically depressed, you may take everything the Drill Instructors are telling you personally. You can serve your country in other ways and I would check them out.
If I were you. I would wait a year or so out of graduation and see what else there is out there.
You cannot take your anti depressant in basic. I don't care what others tell you. Your Drill Instructor is not going to stop you're platoon from firing on the rifle range because you have to run back and take your meds.
Good luck to you

Answer 5

First, if you're 18 then the decision is yours to make. No parent wants their child's life at risk, but most parents will support and respect the choice if they can tell it's really what their son or daughter wants to do.

I'm pretty sure that being clinically depressed will disqualify you from most combat-related positions. But fully half of the military is related to logistics (without which no victory is possible), and those positions might still be available for you. They entail training and discipline, too, and the resulting confidence can help emotional stability. And these positions tend to reduce the immediacy of your risk, which would please your parents.

Ask a recruiter. And whatever decision you make, I thank you for considering serving your country. History books will eventually judge the honor of the mission, but the personal commitment made by each member of our armed forces is always worthy of honor and respect. God bless.

Answer 6

I'll start off that im not in the army, but i have friends in the military.

I think you should consider it. It sounds like you need some direction, and i've seen the worst kids become the most respectable, fit, driven men/women. It will give you a chance to get in great shape, learn a lot of great life skills, serve your country, become driven, and after all of that you will also have time to decide what to do with your life (a great idea would be a field in law enforcement immediately after or going to college). Either way, I would give it a thought.

Answer 7

I think you would be disqualified. But, you never know until you try.

One thing for "Mindbender": You don't join to fight for what someone else wants you to believe. You join because you love your country and you support it through good times and bad. My country has not sold me out, in fact a country is not it's government, a country is it's people. And if you saw it from my point of view, you would see a lot of people I do not know and who do not know me, write me letters and send me care packages. I believe if anything it has brought our country closer together.

I apologize for the tangent. Best of luck in whatever you do.

Answer 8

One of the first thing the recruiters will ask you if you've been taking medication for depression(Or have you ever even in the past). Not sure what happens after that, but it might be an automatic DQ.

Answer 9

Uh. Clinical depression is usually a big disqualifier. Sorry about the bummer.

Answer 10

if you have despression problems and are on medication then you should not. i think everyone who is qualified should join either the army or the marines. i dont care how smart or rich or small you are. im me at chkibo2000.