What happens if a recruit brings a prescription to basic training that wasn’t declared at MEPS?

Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Jan 2020 09:52:22 -0500

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2020 9:56 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Jan 2020 09:56:28 -0500

Nothing good. Health and welfare inspections could uncover it. If that happens, expect confiscation and corrective training at the least. At the most, UCMJ. Best to bring documentation stating which medication you need and turning that over to your drill sergeant so that they can send you to the TMC and have the PA prescribe you anything that you might need.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jan 12 at 2020 9:56 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Sun, 12 Jan 2020 09:56:44 -0500

If it's a new one, then let those at the reception center know what it is for, and why it wasn't on the list.

Response by SFC James Cameron made Jan 12 at 2020 10:29 AM

SFC James Cameron — Sun, 12 Jan 2020 10:29:10 -0500

You do not want to be caught with contraband. Period. Unless you like the idea of forfeiting your RASP contract. You will most likely receive an Article 15 and lose any additional contract schools you came with. Not to mention pay, rank, and possibly being sent home.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Jan 12 at 2020 12:15 PM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Sun, 12 Jan 2020 12:15:28 -0500

Declare it immediately before it turns into contraband. If it’s legit then no issues. If is not, well then you shouldn’t have it in the first place!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2020 12:31 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Jan 2020 12:31:55 -0500

Does meps know you have the condition/disease that your taking a prescription for? If they do you have go to the doctor at basic and they should give you a new prescription. Don’t take your civilian prescription with you

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made Jan 12 at 2020 12:43 PM

CPL Gary Pifer — Sun, 12 Jan 2020 12:43:44 -0500

Tell em it's new or you forgot... now it's a prescribed for a condition you didn't disclose on purpose..Hide it or trash it.. and keep your mouth shut.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Jan 12 at 2020 1:00 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Sun, 12 Jan 2020 13:00:16 -0500

All depends what it is for. It if is an antibiotic or antifungal that you need to take until complete, you have to finish it. Take his med to your recruiter and discuss it with them. If beyond that already, ask to speak to medical at reception. If it is a medication that for whatever reason you have to keep taking, you have to disclose it up front and that being said, do not stop taking until you discuss with a medical officer. At a minimum they should be an RN, PA, or Doc.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2020 1:15 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Jan 2020 13:15:07 -0500

They will then toss it into the trash during the shakedown at the start of Basic.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2020 1:34 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Jan 2020 13:34:52 -0500

Is this a new prescription since you were at MEPS? If not, why did you not declare it?

Response by SGT Robert Wager made Jan 12 at 2020 1:43 PM

SGT Robert Wager — Sun, 12 Jan 2020 13:43:40 -0500

Talk to your recruiter. Any new medical conditions must be disclosed PRIOR to you shipping out to basic.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2020 6:08 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Jan 2020 18:08:51 -0500

Prison wallet

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2020 6:59 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Jan 2020 18:59:54 -0500

You must not have been to Basic yet. Those of us that have....know that having undeclared & unauthorized contraband with drill sergeants around is like putting your arm or head in a crocodile's mouth. Try it and see what happens!

Response by SSG Brian G. made Jan 13 at 2020 4:28 AM

SSG Brian G. — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 04:28:25 -0500

Depends on several things. The length of time the recruit has been taking the med, what the med is for, when the recruit was last at MEPS.

If the med is not for a condition previously undisclosed then nothing to worry about. The recruit shows up, follows the DI's orders and things are processed as part of in-processing. The recruit will still continue to take the meds as normal until the allotted time runs out.

If however the recruit is taking a med for something undisclosed when they initially went through MEPS, that may be a problem. IN all likelyhood it will be treated as above but in some cases it could come back to bite the recruit. Best policy is to be upfront and honest and roll on.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jan 13 at 2020 7:21 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 07:21:16 -0500

Don’t. Yes it will be tossed, however there is a greater issue-the type of medicine will cause an inquiry. What are you hiding and what does it say about your fitness to serve. Do not lie, nor withhold information that could impact your fitness and the lives of those serving around you.