Will my prior mental health records get in my way?

Cole Onyx — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 19:04:07 -0400

When I was 14, I was going through a rough patch with my parents and I ended up expressing dramatic feelings through a paper we were writing in English class. My teacher saw it as a suicide note and reported it to the office. Then a team came down and asked me if I was suicidal, me wanting attention said yes. Even though looking back I really wasn't. Within 3 days I was released from the mental hospital and was never deemed suicidal. But i was diagnosed with a common form of depression, never a threat to myself nor society. Now I'm not sure this will show up on my medical records (since I was under 18), but if it does. Considering my age and the triviality of the situation, will it be dismissed? I've never had mental issues since then and was never prescribed medication.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2018 7:14 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 19:14:12 -0400

Half the military may be depressed at one time or another. We all have our demons. If your not in need of treatment according to a Dr then chances are you will be fine. It also depends on the questions they ask. Be truthful but if you feel it was exasperated then don’t over tell the story. This is only an opinion.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 11 at 2018 7:58 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 19:58:36 -0400

You might need a letter of opinion from a psychologist stating depression is not a problem.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2018 9:51 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 21:51:06 -0400

Cole Onyx Cole, you have three Posts about health issues. To find your answers, you need to talk to a Recruiter instead of asking health questions on Rally Point. Be honest answering all questions and filling out forms concerning your medical history.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2018 9:51 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 21:51:31 -0400

If you already applied to the USMC and you later get declined, make sure your questions are all answered exactly the same. They will dig up your old questionnaire from the USMC. It also depends on how many years later. I admitted to smoking pot three times in my lifetime and the security officer for military police almost denied me. The Saving Grace was that had been over 8 years since I had inhaled and I also had a college degree. I am not a psychologist but I guess it depends who is making the decision whether to let you in or not. Capt Sabrena Goldman 1LT Sandy Annala CSM Charles Hayden LTC John Mohor SMSgt Minister Gerald A. "Doc" Thomas Sgt Private RallyPoint Member SFC Private RallyPoint Member 1SG Carl McAndrews SGT Private RallyPoint Member COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Stephen F.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2018 10:01 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 22:01:41 -0400

It may not be waiverable for the USMC. That could be why no recruiter wants to work with you. Suicidal ideation didn’t waiverable for the Army either.

Response by GySgt Charles O'Connell made Jul 12 at 2018 4:58 AM

GySgt Charles O'Connell — Thu, 12 Jul 2018 04:58:28 -0400

Okay, during your interview/s with a recruiter, he/she is going to ask you questions about your background... police involvement, medical history, education. Be upfront, be honest. Most things, not all mind you, but most things can be sorted out. If you are serious a recruiter will work with you, it's to their benefit and yours. But if you keep coming up with, oh by the way there is also this... You're gonna come across as a time waster, and put doubt in their mind as to your conviction/ability to serve.
The Armed Forces can be a tremendous experience, but it is serious business.

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Jul 12 at 2018 7:47 AM

SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM — Thu, 12 Jul 2018 07:47:57 -0400

I'll tell you if you are trying to get a clearance and they ask you if you even thought about suicide you better tell them the truth because your past in everything you do will come up. I know because I'm going through this right now and a lot of questions are being asked about my poetry I used to write while I was in the Army because I wrote a book and now it's like its coming back to haunt me. I would change a thing because its' all the truth.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Jul 12 at 2018 9:35 AM

SGT Dave Tracy — Thu, 12 Jul 2018 09:35:33 -0400

Quite possibly.

Cole Onyx the military has been tightening up on actual, potential and perceived mental heath issues. The Military Times recently reported on the cases of new recruits getting the boot because of it (I'd suggest Googling those articles).

I have a coworker; she and her husband were both AD Marines (he remains upper enlisted in the Marine Reserve), and they encouraged their good, but somewhat shiftless kid to enlist in the armed forces-didn't press, just encourage, and he was receptive to the idea.

So a couple months ago, their son enlisted in the Army. While at basic, he expressed general unhappiness and that he was feeling blue-nothing too scary from what I am told. The Army called his mother, my coworker, and asked about her son's mental health history, where she told them about a few times he saw a therapist as a teen during a period when his dad was deployed. It was just a few visits; the kid never expressed suicidal or violent thoughts. He was just depressed. She thought noting of telling the Army this because it was so minor, so long ago, and something she believed would help her kid. To her surprise the Army sent him home from week 3 of basic.

He may have a shot at getting back in if he can get mental health professionals to evaluate him; and he is considering it apparently, but he's a little burned by the whole experience and wishes he kept his mouth shut.

You're best bet is to make sure you can get mental health professionals to sign off on you. Be straight forward-own it. Hide nothing. Explain anything the Marines may have questions on. Have copies of all your own records.

No matter how it all plays out in the end, head up, stand tall, be your best. I hope it works out well for you.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2018 1:22 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 13:22:23 -0500

I had a few Marines under my care during my time who had a similar story of previous depression. They wanted nothing more than to join the USMC and serve their country. The constant stress of military life ended up causing previous issues to resurface. These Marines ended up distracting from the mission and other Marines training don’t get the attention they deserve. If you have any doubts about your ability to handle military life, do your country a service and stay home. That’s just my take, may be unpopular or harsh but it’s how I feel about it.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Jul 12 at 2021 12:52 PM

SFC Stephen King — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 12:52:33 -0400

Cole Onyx greatest question, gives your age and the outcome ensure that if you tell the Recruiter everything. If you leave out any pertinent information it will be found when they request your records.