Is there any way for me to rejoin military?

Sgt Jt McLaughlin — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 11:06:13 -0500

So here's my situation... I spent five years on active duty with the Marine Corps and several years thereafter in the reserves. Twice I extended my IRR enlistment but it lapsed in 2011 and I received my honorable discharge. I had an exemplary career with two meritorious promotions and a number of Certificate of Commendations. I never got in trouble even once. At the end of my active duty enlistment, I was potentially offered my dream MOS of linguist and I nearly re-enlisted. There was one major reason, however, why I didn't: I was struggling with my own sexuality and terrified that I would get kicked out if I mentioned it. About three years in to my active enlistment, I was sent to counseling and prescribed anti-anxiety meds, but never once did I reveal the actual reason for my anxiety. Despite my prognosis, I was cleared for re-enlistment and, when ultimately I dropped to the reserves instead, I received a RE1A code. I suffered a few bouts of pancreatitis, presumably due to the meds, and was encouraged to seek a VA rating to continue care. I got a 40% rating but even this did not impede me from re-enlisting in the IRR or going to drill. Finally, a year ago I decided to deal with my issues and stop giving a crap what anyone thought. I went back to the VA and got treatment, this time explaining clearly why I had "anxiety" and "depression" in the first place. I got counseling and a prescription of a mild anti-depressant. The military, of course, has changed in recent years but I never saw it coming. I saw people get kicked out for being gay and I did not want to be one of them, so I subjected myself to all sorts of religious and mental programs to change. Now I'm 36... I spoke to a Marine Corps recruiter and despite nine years of creditable service, they say there's no way back active or reserve due to age alone. The National Guard recruiter says my VA rating is too high, else he would take me. The Army Reserve seemed interested in me but uncertain if MEPS would clear me. I never wanted to leave the military in the first place. I never would have under other circumstances and now I want to know if all doors are eternally shut. I have a decent job in the civilian world, no financial issues, I'm in outstanding physical shape for my age. All I have is this history of "anxiety" caused by years of self-repression. Is it even worth trying?

Response by SGT Eric Davis made Feb 22 at 2018 11:14 AM

SGT Eric Davis — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 11:14:15 -0500

If the Reserves are interested in you then go for it or the National Guard; contact a recruiter now cause your recode wil let you back in.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2018 11:26 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 11:26:06 -0500

MEPS may be an "issue" if you are currently on meds. However, waivers do exist for conditions. The best you can do is try and the worst they can do is disqualify you at MEPS...Then you go for the waiver. The only way to know for sure is to have your recruiter send up your med read to MEPS and get any necessary consults scheduled. Best of luck!

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Feb 22 at 2018 12:25 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 12:25:18 -0500

Damn hard for an age wavier, and I don't know if the NG would issue one, if you didn't walk on water in a shortage MOS.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Feb 22 at 2018 12:44 PM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 12:44:57 -0500

Don’t disqualify yourself... try and see what happens!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2018 1:50 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 13:50:11 -0500

I think your odds are not good, to be honest.
Your sexuality will not be an issue, but your medications and medical history will most definitely be an issue. I think that you can and should give it a try and see where your obstacles lie. From there, you will need to make a decision whether your drive to reenter service overrides what may quite possibly be a situation where you have to discontinue medication and/or renounce disability in order to rejoin.
I admire your desire to find a way.
I say go for it!

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Feb 23 at 2018 12:31 AM

SGT Christopher Hayden — Fri, 23 Feb 2018 00:31:03 -0500

Your age may be the biggest thing working against you. In order to get a Mental Health waiver, you generally have to be off any kind of medication for a period of 3 years. And I don't mean you just stop taking the meds yourself, but being 3 years cleared by an actual doctor. And even then, there is no guarantee, as they tend not to want to let people with anxiety/depression issues back in because of how stressful military life is. The VA rating is also going to be an issue, because they tend to use 30% as the cutoff, and you're well above that. But, it doesn't hurt to try if you've got a Recruiter willing to process the paperwork, just don't expect them to make you much of a priority.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2018 9:50 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Feb 2018 21:50:15 -0500

You are not too old. If you can finish 20 creditable years before reaching age 60, you are eligible from an age standpoint. I needed 4 years and passed a MEPS physical and enlisted in the Reserves at age 55. Passed the soft at the 18 year old level, kept medpros up and deployed to Afghanistan at age 57. Retired at age 59! How bad do you want it?

Response by CA Delete D. made Mar 3 at 2018 5:20 PM

CA Delete D. — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 17:20:26 -0500

Age waiver should not be an issue - ypu are prior service sep'd honorably. Not sure why the Marines recruiter told you that with an honorable discharge, other than he/she wasn't interested in processing your paperwork and not getting as many points to meet quotas as they would with a new recruit.

The medication and anxiety history waiver - give it a shot, but got a strong feeling that is going to cause an issue.....although the Army has been granting other questionable waivers, so it may just take a little longer to get approved. I would be up front about that part first to save yourself time and aggravation dealing with recruiters.

I was a linguist. Navy needs em and last time I checked they were recruiting heavily - even more so in 2019. Are you dead-set on rejoining the Corps.? If you are in good physical and financial shape (finances come up when they investigate your SF-86 claims) I'd contact a Navy recruiter.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Mar 3 at 2018 8:45 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 20:45:48 -0500

Your medical will be your issue. Do you have anything from a current provider to show you are cleared of your pancreatitis? Start there, and work forward. never take no for an answer. Apply towards the end of a month/quarter or year. Waivers tend to mystically appear when numbers suck at the end of a given time period. Also look at what MOS's are vacant, hard to fill MOS's that you may be qualified for can help a unit fill a vacancy that may be other wise hard to fill.

Response by GySgt Charles O'Connell made Mar 4 at 2018 5:25 PM

GySgt Charles O'Connell — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 17:25:32 -0500

Here's my question, do you want to be an active duty Marine, with all that it entails, or do you want to deal with your issues? If it's the deal with issues, I'd say maybe that's the wrong reason to go back on active duty. But if its a true desire to serve again, perhaps in a different branch, then go after it with the same tenacity you showed in your earlier service. Fair winds, and following seas.

Response by Cpl Billy Ashworth made Mar 4 at 2018 6:39 PM

Cpl Billy Ashworth — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 18:39:28 -0500

JT go to your County VA rep they can help you with all your Military paper work