After 10yrs and medical documents are sealed, would it finally be possible for me to enlist in the USMC with an RE-3 discharge?

Christian King — Thu, 17 Sep 2020 16:27:59 -0400

Hi, I know I've asked questions here before but I seem to get solid realistic advice here so I'm here with a final question.

I learned, from my last attempt at enlistment, that until my mental health issues are resolved or a complete non-issue (or unable to be retrieved) that I have a slim to none chance of enlistment. The mental health issues were a suicide attempt at 14 and a clinical depression diagnosis in 2016, that I was genuinely unaware of (and untreated for) until I got my BUMED rejection and that was listed as a reason.

The good news is I called the hospital I was at and they said those records are to be sealed and/or destroyed after 10yrs. Lucky me, I make ten years in 7mo (April 2021) and I'll be 24 by then. I plan to wait until either May or I call and get told they were sealed, whichever comes first, before I attempt to enlist again. I also looked this up, and correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to look like I need 36 consecutive months without treatment for the whole depression thing to be considered treated for/okay? By the time I attempt to enlist, it would've been just at 5yrs since I've last seen a therapist, which was the same one who diagnosed me.

Given those two things, and the fact that I've continued to stay out of trouble, would I finally have a chance? No mental health issues or actual physical health problems, I'm actually pretty healthy. If so, is it possible to get a waiver through the Army and use it for the Marines? I'd feel bad cheating a recruiter out of their time, but I was told it's possible and some people do that since getting waivers from the Army is much easier and apparently it work regardless of what branch you go with.

I also understand some may wonder why on earth I needed to go through BUMED to begin with. I was in the Army Reserves at 17, but was discharged with a JFW and RE-3 during basic. What exactly led to it(SEE EDIT) I have no real memory of other than something came up (I think?). It's been so long, if you ask me what classes I took that same year (junior) you'd be met with a blank stare and a shrug.

EDIT: Yes, I DID not know. I literally just said, out loud, 'Oh my God, I remember'. I actually remember. After almost seven years, I remember what happened! I'm gonna be honest, thank you to the ones who said I should remember cause I really was getting frustrated with being reminded of my recruiter asking me and I simply couldn't piece together why and I sat here going through the days. Why I didn't do this the first time, I don't know, but seriously thank you guys. I guess I'm still not bright if it took me 6yrs to actually remember the freaking details. I'm writing this stuff down now so if someone asks I can tell them. Again, THANK YOU. Seriously.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Sep 17 at 2020 4:36 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Thu, 17 Sep 2020 16:36:34 -0400

What has the recruiter said to you brother Christian King

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Sep 17 at 2020 4:50 PM

SGT Christopher Hayden — Thu, 17 Sep 2020 16:50:52 -0400

So you can't remember something as important as the reason for getting discharged from the Army, yet you think you're mentally fit to serve in the Marines? You're 23/24, not 64. It hasn't been THAT long.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2020 5:11 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Sep 2020 17:11:15 -0400

You need to talk to a recruiter. If you are trying to join the Marine Corps, you will need a waiver from the Marine Corps. I would be completely honest on answering questions or filling out forms. Forgetting why you were discharged six or seven years ago sounds like a problem.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2020 7:30 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Sep 2020 19:30:20 -0400

To be 100% realistic with you, no, you have no chance of being able to re-enlist. Regardless of your records being "sealed" the military knows and would not risk your wellbeing nor the unit you are assigned to due to the possibility of a reoccurrence of your issues under stress. Im sorry, but most if not all BH issues are never waived.

Response by SSG Brian G. made Sep 17 at 2020 7:33 PM

SSG Brian G. — Thu, 17 Sep 2020 19:33:40 -0400

You need to talk to a recruiter. No one here can answer your questions beyond a maybe or talk to a recruiter. One thing is you need to change your profile as you are prior service and not a civilian.

There would be no waiver from the Army. You would go to whatever branch and they would review your packet and you would seek the waiver from them. An RE3 is a steep hill to climb and you having mental issues with an attempted suicide... that might be a straight up flag for non entry in and of itself. Again talk to a recruiter.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2020 7:56 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Sep 2020 19:56:41 -0400

To be straightforward, you need to move on with your life and find another way to give back. Even with sealed records, you would still have to admit all past history or risk a fraudulent enlistment charge. If your first attempt at Basic resulted in some kind of disassociation that resulted in a loss of memory/time, then for your health, you shouldn't be in the military. With your history, you will always be too great a risk, no matter how many year pass. You have shown a pattern of mental health issues over many years; make your health your priority.