At MEPS I lied about something. What happens if I bring it up?

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 22:08:11 -0500

When I went to MEPs, like most people, I had something to lie about. It happened to be depression and medication for it. Now I’ve been referred to behavioral health for depression. What happens if I bring it up to the counselor/ doctor? Is it best to just keep denying ever being depressed or tell the truth? Prison time? Discharge? Fine? Just want to figure out what will happen..

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2018 10:16 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 22:16:37 -0500

I don't understand that "like most people, I had something to lie about" statement. I don't know of anyone I served with that knowingly lied. Tell the truth and take personal responsibility for your actions. That is what is required in the military, and it is what is required in life as well. If you make a mistake own up to that mistake. I respect and admire those who do.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2018 10:17 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 22:17:38 -0500

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member Depression is serious, so be totally honest about it now and receive the care that you need. I disagree that most men and women have something to lie about at MEPS. We all make mistakes, so take responsibility, and be honest about your depression history.

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Jan 24 at 2018 10:38 PM

LT Brad McInnis — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 22:38:09 -0500

I don't but the "like most people" comment, but the fact is that you have an issue. Own up to it, get the treatment for it you need, and get out in front of it. If you are honest now, accept therapy/treatment, who knows? My guess is if you are just out of boot, or before, you can be discharged for good of service. But, I strongly suggest you talk to a JAG. You aren't the first one, and certainly won't be the last. With the recruiting #'s as bad as they are, they may still keep you depending upon what the issue is...

Now, as an example... I once had a suicidal sailor that worked for me. He managed to pull a gun on me (he was going to take us both out), and I talked him down after 4 hours. He had issues that he was upfront about, got treatment, and he went on to serve for another 10 years. So, whatever issues you had can be overcome, but it will be up to you. If you want to stay in, work to get better, tell the truth, and let the chips fall where they may. You may find out that it is a lesser thing than you think it is. Talk to the lawyer. Talk to the mental health professional. You will only make it worse, IMO, if you keep denying, but that is a decision you have to make for yourself based on all the info you take in.

Best of luck to you!

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2018 10:39 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 22:39:40 -0500

PVT C Black, life it self is not easy. Depression is a serious mental illness that requieres attention ASAP. Having a military lifestyle, in my opinion, requieres to be ready and able to adapt to a lot of changes/situations that can affect you emotionally and mentally, having a history of depression without profesional help don't mix well with this military life. So don't even think about MEPS, think about your health and future, tell the truth and seek for help. I don't think in a worst case scenario you will go to prison because of this (that's mi opinion, not a fact).

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2018 10:59 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 22:59:31 -0500

Down voted for the "like most people" comment. If you are interested in joining a position with the United States Government, whether military or civilian, you should NEVER lie about anything. You should be up front and honest about everything. If you have something that you feel could reflect on you negatively, you need to own up to it and accept responsibility for your actions.

On a positive note, being that you have been referred, you can actually get the help that you need, that you may or may not have been able to afford prior to enlisting. The military is a wise career choice, and personally, I think every high school graduate should serve at least a couple of years in the military, I think it would benefit them in the long run.

Use the counselors and doctors, that's what they're there for. But don't discredit your integrity in the process if you don't want to have to face the repercussions.

Response by SSG Dale London made Jan 24 at 2018 11:09 PM

SSG Dale London — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 23:09:59 -0500

Let me preface my response with this: I understand very well how personally important military service can be for people... it was for me. I even understand how tempting it is to do just about ANYTHING to get it. I get it. I really do.
But as much as I sympathize with your situation I have to say that lying at a MEPS interview is probably one of the dumbest things you could have done.
Had you been truthful in your interview they may or may not have accepted your application -- they might have allowed a waiver or allowed you entry for a combat service support MOS -- they have a lot of scope for that sort of thing. But now that you have lied, the Army may chose to separate you for lying in your application. I doubt they would prosecute -- though what you did is illegal. But continuing in the lie -- especially one that will be discovered if you ever need to apply for a security clearance -- is not something you want to do. You will eventually be found out and the longer you leave it the worse it will be for you.
The reason they ask you about things like depression is because in a warfighter environment you will (not may be, not could be, but WILL) come under tremendous stress.
Previous bouts of depression -- particularly where medication has been required as part of the treatment -- raises the spectre of a potential that you will not be able to cope when heavily stressed. De-compensating in a combat environment places you and those around you in unnecessary additional danger.
You were not asked that just because the doctor thought it was a cute question -- you were asked because they were trying to assess any risk you might pose. The fact that you lied about it -- and now seem to want to blame your recruiter for that lie -- calls into question your integrity and moral fiber as well.
This is not a question about what other people do or do not do. This is about you and your ownership of a wrongful act -- lying in your interview.
My advice to you is simple. Come clean now -- the sooner the better. Take your lumps and get on with your life. Who knows but maybe it will be okay. The army seems more warm and fuzzy now than it was when I joined back in the day. In any case, if you persist in the lie it is going to haunt you the whole time you serve. Every time a personnel action comes around you will be worrying if they're going to catch you.
Brother, that is no way to live.

Response by SSgt David Marks made Jan 25 at 2018 12:45 AM

SSgt David Marks — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 00:45:14 -0500

If you bring it up that you lied on your MEPS paperwork they can charge you with falsifying official paperwork, and they can give you anything from an Article 15 to a less than honorable discharge. If there are multiple falsifications, it can also go as far as a Courts Marshall. Being a former USAF Security Police LE Supervisor with over 14 years experience, the latter during my time in the USAF, I've only seen that done once against a Full Bird Colonel, which was a group commander, and he had falsified lots of gov't forms to cover his butt for equipment and money that he couldn't account for, or he participated in the black market. He has submitted the false paperwork to USAFE. Hr tried to blame a Tech Sergeant (E6), in supply for the missing property. What the Colonel didn't know is the TSgt kept copies of all paperwork he had submitted. The Colonel was Court Marshaled and was reduced in rank to E-1, loss of all retirement pay and benefits, and he got a Dishonorable Discharge. I know this sounds far fetched, but it happened at the base I was stationed at, and the Colonel WAS my Group Commander. In connection with the Colonel's crimes, other Squadron Commanders and 1st Sgt's received Article 15's. I'm Not telling you not to speak up, it's your decision as to whether you tell your Dr.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Jan 25 at 2018 10:46 AM

CSM Richard StCyr — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 10:46:20 -0500

Well being as you have posted this on a site with oodles of active duty folks and folks still tied to the military, MPs and CID agents and not to mention the CI spooks that cruise the site; you pretty much have "brought it up".

My advice is to get an appointment with JAG and discuss your options with an attorney about how to handle the fraudulent enlistment stuff.

See the doctor and get the help you need for your depression.

Response by SGT David T. made Jan 25 at 2018 1:44 PM

SGT David T. — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 13:44:53 -0500

I wont echo what the others have said as they gave some great advice. This is something you have to decide for yourself. You basically have two crappy choices. You need to pick the one that you will be able to stare in the mirror at and live with. You have to be the one to live with your choices.

Regardless of the choice you make, you do need to seek treatment. I have known too many good people who didn't and ended up "opting out". Depression is a serious thing and like any medical issue it needs treatment. It will get worse over time if you don't deal with it.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Jan 25 at 2018 3:39 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 15:39:58 -0500

I would just like to say that you should hope that no one that knows you sees such a statement because lying to MEPS in order to get into the military is an offense that could have you immediately booted out of the military or, worse, jailed.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 18 at 2019 5:40 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 18 May 2019 17:40:33 -0400

You also need to understand what is good for the Army and the Nation. That is all I am going to say.

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made May 19 at 2019 5:37 PM

CPL Gary Pifer — Sun, 19 May 2019 17:37:33 -0400

LOL....everyone's crazy
..just wait until you see your first dead body or one of your friends die or gets killed....

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2019 7:47 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Sep 2019 19:47:58 -0400

Why did they refer you in the first place