I was medically discharged for "Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Disturbance of Emotions and Conduct." Does anyone know what that means?

PVT Donovan Graham — Sat, 25 Apr 2020 03:35:09 -0400

And how will I know when I am ready to go back?

Response by SGT Robert Pryor made Apr 25 at 2020 3:55 AM

SGT Robert Pryor — Sat, 25 Apr 2020 03:55:53 -0400

You will know it is time to go back in because hell will have frozen over.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2020 6:21 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Apr 2020 06:21:50 -0400

What is your RE Code?

My guess is you won't be able to come back.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2020 11:03 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Apr 2020 11:03:40 -0400

According to John Hopkins Medicine - "An adjustment disorder is an emotional or behavioral reaction to a stressful event or change in a person’s life. The reaction is considered an unhealthy or excessive response to the event or change within three months of it happening."

In other words, it's a behavior health diagnosis that says you are not dealing with stress in a healthy way. Consider how you acted during basic and then think of how your peers reacted to the same events/stress.

As to the discharge, with an RE code of 3 you would require a waiver to come back. Very few behavior health waivers are approved because there is a greater change that the issue could return.

Response by SFC Jeremy Boyd made Apr 25 at 2020 12:59 PM

SFC Jeremy Boyd — Sat, 25 Apr 2020 12:59:47 -0400

PVT Donovan Graham I wont sugar coat it and say it will be an easy process, because it won't be, and in no way will I guarantee approval, because the chances are EXTREMELY slim to none, but there is the ever slightest possibility of a waiver, due to your RE Code being 3. With that being said, be prepared to put in a LOT of leg work to prove you've overcome the issues that got you discharged and put in a LOT of wait time, with few noteworthy updates from your recruiter, in return for zero guarantee of waiver approval.

I do want to give you the best guidance for how to proceed, so the first thing I would do is get documentation from a civilian mental health professional (licensed psychiatrist or psychologist) clearing you of any mental health issues. Of course I would expect you to get an actual evaluation from them before having them sign off. Then I would take that documentation, plus your DD214 and all other service and discharge documentation, and go see a local recruiter. Hand over copies of the documentation so the recruiter can submit what is called a "med read" to MEPS, in order to get advanced permission from the MEPS doctor to take the physical. Yes, you will have to take a full physical again before the waiver process can even begin. With the physical complete, provided you met qualifications aside from the condition you were discharged for, you will draw a psychological consult, which will be scheduled by MEPS for a later date, with a mental health professional they designate.

After the consult takes place your RE-3 medical waiver, including the results of the consult, your physical results and your civilian doctor documents, will be sent to the USAREC Command Surgeon for determination. Since the Command Surgeon only has two or three Deputy Command Surgeons and each medical waiver request must be reviewed by at least one of them, this process will take a few months at the very least. There are bound to be thousands of waivers in the queue before yours will be. If the USAREC Command Surgeon or his office approve the waiver, you'll be able to enlist again under Prior Service Business Rules, if you're looking at active duty. If the waiver gets denied, at least you tried. I hope this gives you some perspective. Best of luck!

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Apr 25 at 2020 4:45 PM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Sat, 25 Apr 2020 16:45:21 -0400

I have no filter so here's the layout:
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1. What was your RE Code?
2. You really have provided no information for anyone here to comment critically on your case.
3. If you have an RE-3 Code, you can apply to re-enlist but an evaluation and assessment will be required. It will also be 'at the needs of the service.' This is also provided while under the duress of your "Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Disturbance of Emotions and Conduct", you did not make false official statements, start fights, vandalize equipment or conduct acts detrimental to good order, conduct and discipline of the US Army.
4.If you have a RE-4 Code - Forget about it.. You are ineligible for re-enlistment, unable to work at a position with the US Government and will be unable to receive a Public Trust Clearance.
5. Another RE Code other the RE-3 and the RE-4 may hold some hope out to you but returning to the service because of the nature of your discharge will not be easy.
.
I believe everyone should have a second chance as some people take longer to grow up.
Good Luck, SFC K

Response by PVT Donovan Graham made Apr 25 at 2020 10:53 PM

PVT Donovan Graham — Sat, 25 Apr 2020 22:53:52 -0400

Wow I didn't know this would generate so much input! Thanks everybody, now I have a better perspective on things.

Response by PFC Donnie Harold Harris made Apr 26 at 2020 9:05 PM

PFC Donnie Harold Harris — Sun, 26 Apr 2020 21:05:04 -0400

No disability, most likely.

Response by MSG Albert Grounds made Apr 27 at 2020 6:38 AM

MSG Albert Grounds — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 06:38:55 -0400

Donavan, I can only answer from my experiences with fellow soldiers. Frankly, some individuals mindset does not fit the mentality required to be a soldier. It requires not only discipline but a courage one doesn't really know they have until faced with it. I saw soldiers break under the stress of combat for example. It wasn't their fault per se because this becomes a life and death scenario and they could not bear the thought that may die at any moment. I believe two things happen at this point. One is the person is afraid for his life and realizes it is fight or die; the other is concern for you fellow soldiers and the need to protect them. Bonds become very strong at a time like this. To remember you are an individual but also a member of a unified force that requires both discipline and respect for what your mission is and your fellow soldiers. I wish you success in rejoining but only you know if you meet what is required to be a soldier.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Apr 28 at 2020 10:46 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 22:46:08 -0400

If you were medically discharged/separated I assume you were med boarded. That information is something that you should have been briefed on by your PEBLO.

It depends on your reenlistment code but also depends on what your percentages were from the end board.

There are a lot of ifs and maybes with this.

Response by SPC Richard Zacke made Apr 30 at 2020 8:47 PM

SPC Richard Zacke — Thu, 30 Apr 2020 20:47:31 -0400

Move on with your life because it clearly is not with the military!

Response by CPL Tony LoCoco made May 1 at 2020 2:51 PM

CPL Tony LoCoco — Fri, 01 May 2020 14:51:17 -0400

If you got an entry level separation, There is supposed nothing stopping you from reenlisting depending on reenlistment code RE 3 or 4 there is slim to none.