Can I be "un-disqualified" after having been disqualified by MEPS?

Michael Jenkins — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 12:23:01 -0500

So, I talked to an army recuriter, and we had a good conversation.. But an issue came up that would effect my chances of joining the Army: Self harm..
He said that any self-harm cuts would immediately make me MEPS disqualified, and sadly I don't have too many medical forms that show I'm okay.
But the last time I cut myself was in 8th grade (3 years, now) and it was more of a cry for help rather than suicide issues..
I asked the recruiter if I can write a letter to the people who confirm military entry or not, and he's NEVER gotten back to me (it has been months, now!)
What can I do about this? I've wanted to serve since I was in 1st grade..
Thank you!

UPDATE: As stated above, the self-afflictions were made more for a CRY FOR HELP, there was NO ISSUE with Mental stability or depression.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2019 12:26 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 12:26:12 -0500

Let me ask a medical person here.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2019 12:34 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 12:34:46 -0500

Here is my own personal experience and it may not be applicable. I applied for the Army National Guard at age 31. I was applying for military police. In the screening process I had admitted that I smoked pot three times periods the last time I had smoked pot had been over six years before. I was 31 years old, had a bachelor's degree and I was worried because the security officer in my in-processing was concerned about that Honesty on my part. When I arrived to my basic training Battalion, the sergeant major or nobody else ever brought this up to me. Ended up graduating from basic training. What I would say to do is to pursue something in the civilian side like Police Explorers, getting some kind of Reserve or full-time law enforcement credentials. I also would suggest you try to get a college degree first. They are so worried about wasting so much money and they have had soldiers commit suicide or threatened to commit suicide in basic training.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2019 12:38 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 12:38:53 -0500

If you go into college ROTC later in life, you could go in as a second lieutenant after you graduate. They have a longer time to assess you. You would also make probably three times the money and you would get a lot more recognition. In the meantime, do you apply for police explorers or do other kinds of law enforcement or something that can be related to its that can show that you have a track record of mental stability. Don't let this overwhelm you. At least you're thinking about your future career now. Now was the time to make those changes in plan for 5 7 10 years down the line. Let's see what others have to say.

Response by MSG Dan Castaneda made Jan 22 at 2019 12:47 PM

MSG Dan Castaneda — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 12:47:00 -0500

Well here's a lesson for you. Stupid decisions have life long consequences.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2019 12:50 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 12:50:46 -0500

I would also suggest getting into Athletics if you are not already in such a program. Track and cross-country are good sports that will help you stay in shape in the military. When I was 31 years old, I was the second fastest runner in my training battalion. Before making fun of me because I had thinning hair. They didn't make fun of me when I could run 2 miles in 12 minutes. Doing push-ups and sit-ups is a good thing. The army transitioning to this Army Combat fitness test. Doing deadlifts and crunches in the gym as well as pull ups will be very helpful for you. It also will make you feel better with lice so you won't want to cut yourself. I also suggest, very strongly, to not smoke part at all! I have two step daughters were in their early twenties who ended up getting into drinking, smoking cigarettes and pot smoking. They were both decent kids until they turned about 15 then their life went into the toilet. I put them in Air Force Junior ROTC and in Catholic School and they happen to meet weirdos in Catholic School whose parents let them drink and do drugs. Both of them are messed up. Both of them are on welfare and neither of them graduated from high school. One of them also cut themselves as well. So if you don't get into being in the army or in the military, don't go be like them. They are in their twenties but they are a physical mess, they are always coughing due to smoking and they're always depressed and they have mental problems because of their drug abuse. Thank you for confiding with us here on rallypoint!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2019 12:53 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 12:53:32 -0500

The Army announced about a year ago that they would let people in with a history of self harm. They got so much backlash that they immediately withdrew the decision. The recruiter hadn't gotten back with you because there's nothing he can do.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2019 1:28 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 13:28:49 -0500

Because all records are kept of your past oh, you have to admit in any future application for ROTC or military what you said in your last application. They will find out if you purposely decline-to-state what you said in your last application.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2019 1:57 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 13:57:49 -0500

Google and download DoDI 6130.03. Look under the mental health section.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2019 3:31 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 15:31:10 -0500

Michael, a quote from Alexander Graham Bell:

"When one door closes another door opens, but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us."

There are many way to serve your country. Please explore all of your options.

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Response by SPC Chris Ison made Jan 23 at 2019 2:33 PM

SPC Chris Ison — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 14:33:24 -0500

Nope. Your done.

The army does not have time for people who might break under stress, this is the curse of an all volunteer army and hero worship, everyone wants to join, so anyone with a problem is pretty much dismissed as not recruit material.