Posted on Dec 24, 2019
Potential Recruit
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Recently I went to FT jackson BCT& sent home. My MOS was 09S. I was struggling with anxiety and depression. I’ve talked to DS, he took me to a mental health center, I’ve got discharged with EPTS-5/11 depression. doctor asked if I had suicidal attempt. Stupid self(struggling with anxiety atm) answered yes but it was 5 years ago.can i go back to BCT? Or federal jobs?(civilian contractor or GS jobs?
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CPT Special Forces Officer
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Edited >1 y ago
I realize that you wanted to be in the Army, but have you considered that the extremely high stress profession of arms may not be the best fit for you? This isn't so much a question of whether you are up to the challenge, as much as the Army just may not be the best place for you to make your mark in the world. I am very encouraged that you have had no suicide attempts for 5 years. At the same time I am concerned that you had so much emotional difficulty in BCT. The Army is not a "kind" profession (or environment) and you should consider myself fortunate that you found out so early. I also strongly feel that you should continue psychological and/or psychiatric (M.D. or D.O.) treatment for the foreseeable future. I don't believe that this is the death knell for all GS or contractor positions in your future. Nevertheless most federal and state government environments can feel like you are working in a "snake pit". It can unbalance the psychologically healthy, therefore you need to be well regulated emotionally before you stick your toe in there. A very superficial discussion can be found at:
https://psychcentral.com/blog/what-is-affect-or-emotion-dysregulation/
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1LT Excess
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This response is really good!
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Potential Recruit
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I hear you. Thank you for your response and that link. I appreciate it
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CPT Special Forces Officer
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1LT (Join to see) - Thank you very much!
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LTC Self Employed
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LTC Self Employed
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Just focus on taking care of yourself, getting enough sleep eating well and not thinking about suicide. My sister committed suicide on July 4th, 2015. many of us here on rallypoint could support you in discussion.
CPT (Join to see) Capt Sabrena Goldman COL Mikel J. Burroughs SSG(P) James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SFC (Join to see) CSM Charles Hayden Lt Col Charlie Brown LTC Stephen F. SSG Carlos Madden
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PVT Driver/ Fueler
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That sucks sir. One of my sisters tried several times. Thankfully didn't succeed. If you need to talk about it at any time, feel free to do so
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LTC Self Employed
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PVT (Join to see) I'm okay with it and it's okay, William, it's just that I see drunks and druggies on my wife's side of the family and I have two older step daughters who are on public assistance and who drink, smoke and even smoke pot on Instagram and brag about it and don't care. This is my sister's obituary.
https://obits.ocregister.com/obituaries/orangecounty/obituary.aspx?n=rose-loretta-conway&pid=175315548
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Cpl Mark Oresko
Cpl Mark Oresko
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LTC (Join to see) so sorry for your loss. I grew up in La Habra and lived in Fullerton. Thank you for sharing your sisters memory with us.
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