What is the length of time hit takes for someone to be discharged/separated during BCT for depression/medical?

A1C Missy Young — Sat, 27 Feb 2021 18:56:49 -0500

Hello. My friend is currently one week into BCT, has been placed in possible holdover, and prescribed anti-depression medication by military doctor. My question is, how long can the process take, when my friend asks their commander for medical separation... how long can it take for them to be separated/discharged and sent back home?

Also, any information in connection to similar situation would be appreciated.

Thank you for your time.

Response by A1C Missy Young made Feb 27 at 2021 6:58 PM

A1C Missy Young — Sat, 27 Feb 2021 18:58:32 -0500

*Army BCT

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 27 at 2021 7:04 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Feb 2021 19:04:31 -0500

A1C Missy Young Here is information about a similar situation.

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/can-depression-anxiety-get-you-discharged

Can depression/anxiety get you discharged? | RallyPoint

Can depression/anxiety get you discharged? My friend has been struggling with it for quite some time and is scared to bring it up. He has 2 years left he doesnt want to be booted out for dealing with it. What are his options ?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 27 at 2021 7:39 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Feb 2021 19:39:04 -0500

Army Basic? If your friend doesn't want to continue training they'll be given an entry level separation with an uncharacterized discharged

It takes as long as it takes. Discharging trainees is not the priority for the commander there

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Feb 27 at 2021 9:59 PM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Sat, 27 Feb 2021 21:59:25 -0500

I'm with SFC Private RallyPoint Member on this one.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 27 at 2021 10:31 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Feb 2021 22:31:52 -0500

It’s a process and let it take its course. When I went through there were trainees who were there for the whole cycle and more. It all depends

Response by SSG Brian G. made Feb 27 at 2021 10:36 PM

SSG Brian G. — Sat, 27 Feb 2021 22:36:40 -0500

It takes as long as it takes. The military TRADOC is concerned with the training of personnel for the Army, once they enter into that point of being separated it is at the needs, whims and time of the Army. At Ft Dix there was a rolly polly (PT & Fitness failure) that was being discharged and was there the entire 4 months I was there waiting on my clearance.

Response by SGT Chris Padgett made Feb 27 at 2021 11:43 PM

SGT Chris Padgett — Sat, 27 Feb 2021 23:43:02 -0500

It's going to depend.
When I went through Basic in 1988 there was a guy who decided that he wanted out.
Pretty much refused to train, so they chaptered him out. Thing is, while the paperwork was being pushed thru, they made him and another kid from a different platoon pretty much go everywhere we went, and they became the "battery bitch's".
When we had some sort of training, they rode out to the site and set up and tore down whatever the DS's were using for training aids.
During BRM, they were tasked to load magazines, but not allowed to shoot. They were made to police brass afterwards.
When we came up on rotation for KP, you already know who was pulling that everyday.
We went through OSUT and graduated with those two guys still there. I have no idea how long they were there after we left.
On the other hand,
A good friend of mines son joined the Army a couple years ago. I thought it was a bad idea, but hoped it would be good for him.
Turns out, I was right.
He got down to Ft. Jackson and refused to train about 5 weeks in.
He called his dad, told him they were going to chapter him out. His dad got a hold of the commander and asked when he could come get his son, he'd be there in a day or so. The commander told him the process could take weeks. My friend got off the phone and promptly went to our congressman's office and followed that visit with a visit to our senator.
Needless to say, Rick was driving down to Ft. Jackson 4 days later.
It's amazing what can happen when you get politics involved.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Feb 28 at 2021 2:35 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Sun, 28 Feb 2021 14:35:04 -0500

It all depends on the situation. Mental Health concerns could delay it as they are responsible for your friends health while in their care. Once things level out and if a discharge is chosen as the appropriate course of action it will go until it is complete. As SFC Boyd stated, your friends discharge isn't a priority over the trainees moving forward.

Response by SSgt Richard Kensinger made Feb 28 at 2021 2:43 PM

SSgt Richard Kensinger — Sun, 28 Feb 2021 14:43:38 -0500

As a clinical psychologist I offer the following observations. If the diagnosis is accurate, it takes 2~4 weeks before AD's exert efficacy. Then psychotherapy is indicated for at least 4 to 6 sessions. Her prognosis will dictate her discharge for care.
Rich