What should I do if I have to be cleared by a psychiatrist (for suspected cutting) in order to enlist?

Jade Ruth — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 04:14:41 -0500

Long story, short, she didn’t believe me. She sent me to a lady who I’m assuming was probably psychiatrist. She pretty much manipulated me into crying. I’m not sure if I’ve been disqualified. I was later told that I should be cleared by a psychiatrist? I have no clue what to do. I moved to Oregon and the meps I went to was in Georgia.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2018 7:16 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 07:16:23 -0500

Jade Ruth, first and foremost, tell the truth in your interviews. Bottom line up front. If you have issues, bring them up. The military is not the place to be if you have pre-existing mental health issues that you need professional assistance with. There are waivers that can be permitted, but from being a commander and seeing how people deal with military service when there are pre-existing conditions, it isn't the best thing. Now, if there aren't any issues, there's nothing to cry about. Going to be brutally honest here...if you are having issues during the interview process, the military may not be the right place to be right now. Dedication and perseverance are things that are absolutely necessary in the profession of arms though. If you want to serve your country and you want to be a Warrior, then keep trying. Find the best way to do so. If you have to be cleared by a psychiatrist, then go to the one they require and put it all out there. There are plenty of people who have had bad experiences before coming into the service and it becomes their new home...their new family. You have to want it and you have to put up with the things it will throw at you. It isn't easy, but nothing worth having is.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2018 7:45 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 07:45:14 -0500

Your story has many details left out. Who sent you to a lady you thought was a psychiatrist? Was this at MEPS still? If this happened at MEPS, then the lady you were sent to was a medical doctor who was getting your history. Then you say she manipulated you into crying--did she do so by asking questions that made you uncomfortable? If that's the case, she was just doing her job. Furthermore, if you were told that you must be cleared by a specialist, a psychiatrist in your case, then that means that you were medically disqualified--at least initially. By getting the letter from a specialist that states that you are cleared for military service, you will be applying for a waiver. However, waivers aren't guaranteed and take a long time, they must go through many different channels for approval. As the COL said, be entirely honest and you will be fine. Good luck with your endeavors.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2018 8:40 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 08:40:08 -0500

Tell the truth. Good, bad, or indifferent. That’s all you can do. Wish you the best of luck in your endeavors!

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 8 at 2018 10:03 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 10:03:25 -0500

Ok, your file should be in the system- go to your nearest recruiter and talk to them- that you went to MEPS in GA. See what they have and then what they suggest needs to be done if you still want in.

Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2018 1:31 PM

LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 10 Mar 2018 13:31:42 -0500

Mental health consults can be written normally with 4 years of proven improvement to show a total recovery from any pre-existing condition. Some times you have to wait it out. Your local recruiter and MEPS station will be able to tell you much more. These things are very circumstantial.