Why is it so hard to re-enlist with a RE-3E (anxiety in Navy boot camp)?

Tony Wynn — Mon, 10 Feb 2020 00:40:06 -0500

Hi all,

I signed up and went to Great Lakes boot camp in 2018 and was separated a month in due to anxiety and trauma or stressor related disorder.

I was on meds because i had all my wisdom teeth pulled out and I was feeling homesick at the same time. I told my chief I was feeling depressed and was sent to the recruit evaluation unit to be seen by a psychiatrist.

He asked me a bunch of questions about my life and i was honest and he said i had some kind of stressor or trauma related disorder. He said i could either continue with training or go home to collect myself, and reapply after 6 months.

I foolishly accepted the latter offer to go home and was processed for separation right away.

Almost two years later i strongly believe I’ve grown not only mentally but physically as well. I’ve lost over 20 lbs since coming home from boot and have been keeping myself ready.

Over the course of the past 6 months I’ve contacted many recruiters (over 20) from the Navy and Air Force. Only a few of them were willing to even work with me and they said the biggest thing I’ll need for re-enlisting is a letter or evaluation from a psychiatrist.

A letter sounds easy right? No, I’ve contacted over 18 different psychiatry practices both private and community. I’ve even tried providers that are way outside of my area. None of them are willing to evaluate me or even help me.

No one would give me any answers other than that they are not familiar with the military and its standards and that they would not be able to give me an evaluation to go into service because it would be a ‘liability’ for them.

I’m starting to run out of options at this point, even the few recruiters that have agreed to help me seem to be backing away.

I know i took my one opportunity for granted and i realize that now, I was selfish at the time and only thought about making my situation better even if it meant getting set back, how foolish I was at the time.

Any advice on how I can get this waiver will be appreciated. I know many service members will try and tell me to move on and that i blew my chance but my desire to serve still burns hot.

Thank you RP

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2020 7:27 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Feb 2020 07:27:41 -0500

You probably have, but try and get the evaluation without mentioning the military. Maybe start to see a doctor about your problems and see if they have resolved. If the doctor sees that your good to go and documents that I dont see why that wouldn't work. But I'm also not sure on how the process works (if the doc needs specific paperwork ect...).

Maybe just say that you having this diagnosis and its effecting you being able to get a job and see if someone is willing to talk to you and clear you.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Feb 10 at 2020 8:36 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Mon, 10 Feb 2020 08:36:02 -0500

This is one you will not find the answers to on this site. The only recommendation I can give is to contact your MEPS station and ask that the military doctors at MEPS eveluate your situation. Even a private sector assessment will be reviewed there, put the cart before the horse.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2020 3:06 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Feb 2020 15:06:18 -0500

Bro you messed up, initial entry training is suppose to suck and even the toughest MF’s get homesick, your just suppose to tough it out. You quit, now no branch wants to give you another chance, and why should they? Your a quitter, why should they sign off on you and waste more of the governments money on someone who’s more than likely gonna quit again?

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made Feb 11 at 2020 5:23 PM

CPL Gary Pifer — Tue, 11 Feb 2020 17:23:21 -0500

Can the story about the wisdom teeth... They got you with Adjustment Disorder. They don't want to take a chance you'll pull it again or try and file VA disability. Mybe SMR or State naval or Army militia.

Response by SR Grant Just made Apr 5 at 2020 1:49 AM

SR Grant Just — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 01:49:54 -0400

I was in a similar situation back in 2018 myself. I was screening for sub duty, and I kind of misinterpreted some of the mental health related questions... one thing lead to another, and I was sent to get a psych eval from a Lieutenant at the clinic who asked me all those similar questions. She told me I had a severe depression/anxiety disorder, based off of my answers to the test. Then at the end of the meeting she handed me a paper to sign my consent to separation, telling me I should make it easier on myself because 'the Navy would be too rough for me to handle mentally and emotionally'...so I packed up my seabag, headed to SEPS, and thus concluded my Navy career.

If it's any consolation to your situation, I have been working with Army recruiters since September to get a waiver packet assembled and sent in for approval. They've been super supportive, and if it weren't for the COVID-19 shutdown I'd say I was confident my case and presentation for being reenlisted would be accepted upon review. If/when it is, I know I'm not fooling around this time for a second. Case in point, my advice would be to not let what happened in the past, slow you down. But Be honest with yourself. If you know you are fit for duty and want to give the military another shot, then go for it and commit 100%, even if the chances are slim. Start building a strong case for yourself, go see doctors, psychiatrists, etc. and get your shit squared away; then get letters of recommendation from them, your family and friends, coworkers, manager, etc. That way when you find a recruiter who is willing to help you, most of the leg work is done already!
Good luck, I wish you the best!!