Military Questions...?

Question

I told my recruiter I have never been on medication. But I have taken anti-depressants for a few months nearly a year and a half ago. I also went to the hospital twice to receive stitches for cuts on my thigh and on my wrist. I used to be a cutter. I have noticable scars on my thighs and my left wrist. Will the Airforce still find out and will I be disqualified? I am rather embarassed about the whole situation, it was a period in my life I have chose to forget, I am however 100% better now. I get different answers from different people....yes be honest with him, you'll get a waiver, etc. etc....or No, pretend like it never happened, they will never find out. I am very confused about the situation and do not which action to take. Any sincere honest advice please?

Answer 1

improve your self on PRC test...
ask for one

Answer 2

To be honest im currently in the U. S. Army and ive been enlisted for about 1 year and change and i learned that once you goto meps you can lie and it wouldnt matter because the military is not allowed to check out prior medical records as a civillian so basically the choice is up to you also they really need people so there handing out waivers for anything right now. But if you choose to tell a recruiter based on the type of person he is he might tell you not to say anything and he'll pretend like he never heard you. Hope this helped.

Answer 3

Here's the skinny. You have to go through a physical at MEPS (usually where you take your ASVAB test too). They will see the scars, and they will ask about them. I assure you they've seen it before and can recognize them for what they are. Before you go up to physical you have to fill out a medical prescreen form. You'll have to list all issues and treatments, and you will need to provide detailed/all medial records from everything you list. You'll also have to have documentation to the effect of you being physically and mentally fit and released from all further care. Once this is sent up you either will or won't be approved to physical. If you are approved to physical they will proceed with the physical and probably schedule to see a physiatrist (paid for by MEPS). Assuming that goes well they will send all that up to the Air Force medial waiver shop and they either will or won't find you eligible for enlistment. All branches have different standards for the last part - something to keep in mind if the Air Force turns you down.

Fair winds and following seas.

Answer 4

OK here is the deal: these issues are something you will very unlikely get a waiver for. If the Air Force is something you REALLY want and are ready to risk it, then don't - say - anything. HOWEVER, if you are wanting a job/career that requires a TOP SECRET security clearance, you will want to go in with no skeletons in the closet; if someone you know mentions your past issues casually in a field interview, (they conduct lots of interviews with people whom you've met, known etc in order to give you a top secret clearance) the agents giving the interview will look for those problems in your military medical records. When they see that you have a clean medical record, they will be very suspicious, obtain your civilian medical records, find out that you lied, and likely give you a dishonorable discharge (they can court-martial you if they wish or even incarcerate you for up to 2 years).

It is nice to be able to be candid with your recruiter, but because I don't know him, it is possible (though unlikely) that he won't want to back you for enlistment.. he may tell you he can't do anything for you. However, I personally know about this sort of issue and I can assure you that what I've said is what many recruiters would tell you as well.

Things to remember:
1. If you don't tell, they won't know.

The only exception is if you have something like asthma and NEED your medication... obviously they will know when you're having an asthma attack in boot camp, but in your case, this is all only existing on paper, so it is something you could easily keep concealed by keeping your mouth shut.

2. If you want the Air Force to be a long career and you want a TOP SECRET security clearance involving interviews with people you know, you may just want to tell your recruiter that you haven't been completely honest with him and lay it out flat with him/her. You might want to forego the Air Force or just a career w/top secret, because it is a huge risk when those interviews roll around.

3. If you try the waiver route, remember that waivers aren't approved on a personal basis, but an impersonal one. If the Air Force is currently overmanned, you shouldn't count on an approval. If the issue is minor, you have doctors to document your progress of more than a year and you're extremely qualified (high ASVAB), you may have a shot.

Good luck, and if you want to talk to me any time, just email me!

PS remember that the military is founded upon morality and honesty. Its members should be trustworthy and conscientious citizens who are willing to sacrifice their lives for their fellow citizens. I personally do not condone lying, but I know of many who have successfully gone that route. It's up to you.

BREE USN

Answer 5

My husband was a recruiter for awhile, and believe me, it is better to tell your recruiter the truth! These guys put in alot of time and energy to get people into the miliary, only to find out once someone gets to MEPS that they weren't told the whole truth. It reflects bad on you, and the recruiter, even if they weren't told the whole truth! They can tell you whether or not it will be a problem. The noticeable scars may be a flag to one of the doctors, who may ask about them, leaving you in a place to tell the truth or lie. It is really just easier to be honest with your recruiter, and let them decide the best way to proceed. Good luck to you!

Answer 6

lying about your past is a sure fire way to get you booted with a fraudulent enlistment charge.

a waiver might be possible if you tell the WHOLE truth. however, failing to disclose WILL net you a LOT of trouble.

some of the core values of the military are Honesty and Integrity . Do you have any? are you worthy to be in the military? It is a privilege, it is not a right.,

Answer 7

There is a chance they can find out and you can be responsible or atleast thats what they would have you believe in the Army but once at basic they give you a chance to come clean without consequences I don't know if the Air Force is the same

Answer 8

My friend joined and he was in the same boat as you except he had once checked himself into a mental hospital. His recruiter told him to just keep shut about it because it's very doubtful they will ask you what the cuts are from, in all honestly the military is about quantity not quality anymore. And seeings how you said you're better don't worry about it, they're not going to dig that deep into your medical history. Good luck and thanks for supporting our country and joining.

Answer 9

I have been in the Marine Corps reserve for four years including a deployment to Iraq. I think you dhould just be honest with them. It'll be worse if they find out that you lied or just didn't say anything and you could get kicked out later.

Answer 10

Tell them what happened/is going on. If you don't say anything, and they find out, you will be out of there very quickly. It's better to be upfront with all medical issues, so that they can help you if you have relapses or troubles in the future.

Answer 11

If you don't tell them, and they find out anyway, you can be in trouble for enlisting under false pretenses, or even purjury. When you sign all those papers that formalize all those questions, they tell you that if you are caught lying on them, you can be criminally prosecuted.

I'm not telling you one way or another, its not my place. I'm just warning you, all the guys who tell you to just lie aren't the ones who could get busted.