Is it possible to try again to enlist after being disapproved by BUMED due to a history of Bipolar and ODD?

Mayah Glynn My 2 cents is that if it is doable, it will be difficult to get a waiver. I seem to remember (way too long ago) that you had to have at least 6 months of medicated treatment to be disqualifying. But, that was the Navy, and I just saw the message as I was looking up stuff for one of my sailors that had BPD. If I understand all you said, you only had one month of treatment?

The reality is that we are in a semi-drawdown and in that case waivers become much more difficult. You end up with more applicants than openings, so it is easier to just deny waiver requests.

What I would do is this:
1) Figure out if the issue was bs from when you were a kid. Will the stress of combat cause a re-emergence. If you can't answer that honestly, then there is no point going forward. Because the fact is if you could become a danger to yourself and other Marines, you should find something else to do. Harsh reality, but it is what it is. If you can honestly say it was crap from when you were younger, then I would follow the steps below.

2) Find out if there is an appeal process for the denial. Be a pain in the a@@, call, email and write to the person who denied your waiver. Find their supervisor, and bug the crap out of them. There is an element of the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Keep pushing your recruiter and MEPS personnel in the same manner.

3) Get all your ducks in a row. Find all the references that apply to your case. They probably cited some BUMED messages in the denial. Get them. Find out exactly which section applies to you and find out if they are in error. Put together a package. Find a local Congressperson that represents you ( I find Senators are better than Reps). Write a letter (mandatory logging and response by their office) detailing your desires, the DQ reason you were given, and then refute the reason based on the documents you have found and your medical records.

4) Get in the absolute best shape of your life. The chance that a Marine MEPS/recruiter will blow you off if you are a puff body like me is higher than if you are a PT stud.

5) Practice the ASVAB, study your butt off and get top scores. You are trying to give them a reason to give you a shot.

6) Try and volunteer with some high stress groups (Firefighters, and the like).

7) Lastly, you have to realize that even with busting your tail, it may not work out. And that's okay, One door closes and another opens. I had my heart set on being a Marine Infantry Officer. Never looked at anything else. Got hurt my senior year, and went Surface Navy and had an absolute blast. Just keep in mind if it doesn't work out, it isn't the end of the world.

Best of luck.

I know this isn't what you may want to hear but I would look at something else as a career option. The military isn't willing to accept any risk when it comes to behavioral health. I know it isn't really fair but fair isn't something that is guaranteed in the military when it comes to joining.

Keep on trying to enlist. You got a bum rap and it is not your fault. Go up the recruiting chain of command if nothing else works. Sooner or later they have to enlist you. Show them you have the heart to be a MARINE.