? for military personnel

[minkydog]

My DS19 is seriously thinking about the Air Force. His best friend just finished basic training and is now in Monterey, CA, living it up. We come from a heavily AF/Navy family so I have no problem with him joining AT ALL--in fact, I think it would be the best thing in the world for growing him up.

Heres my big worry: DS19 went through a very difficult patch in high school. He was on some serious psychiatric drugs and was hospitalized twice for suicidal threats. He quit school,left home, and eventually got his HS diploma and is now in Community College. He has a clean record with the exception of a traffic ticket which he is working off now(community service).

He has not been treated with any manner of therapy or drugs in over a year and has really finally got his feet on the ground. I'm afraid that his 2yr floundering stint in HS will bar him from the military. I don't know whether to encourage him or not.

What do you think?

 

[horseshowmom]

If I understand your post correctly, you're not concerned about how your DS will do in the service but whether his past could have an effect on his actually getting in.

If that is what you mean, have you thought about calling a recruiter (off the record) and asking him/her about the issues. You shouldn't have to give any names. I might even call a recruiting office in another town just to keep it anonymous.

 

[BuckNaked]

I honestly don't know what affect it would have. When I came in, it wouldn't have been a non-starter - no way could I have come in with that history, but I really don't know what the requirements are now.

But should your son decide to speak with a recruiter, whatever you do, make sure he understands that he needs to tell the recruiter the whole truth. Don't sugarcoat it or try to hide it, because chances are, it will come out, and then there will be a whole new set of problems to deal with.

 

[Sleepy]

But should your son decide to speak with a recruiter, whatever you do, make sure he understands that he needs to tell the recruiter the whole truth. Don't sugarcoat it or try to hide it, because chances are, it will come out, and then there will be a whole new set of problems to deal with.

Since there are no "juvenile" medical records attached to your MEPPS processing, the most likely response a recruiter will give is "Don't worry about it. Just don't say anything while being processed." They are after a quota.

 

[BuckNaked]

Since there are no "juvenile" medical records attached to your MEPPS processing, the most likely response a recruiter will give is "Don't worry about it. Just don't say anything while being processed." They are after a quota.

But it's not just a matter of what is seen at MEPS. There is a penalty of $10,000 and/or 5 years in federal prison for falsifying information on enlistment papers. Unless thiings have changed radically, they don't just ask about your history since the age of 18, they ask about your history.

 

[sharbear]

This is what I found about enlisting and the GED. http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/genjoin/a/asvabminimum.htm
Education - You're more likely to be struck by lightening than enlist in the Air Force without a high school diploma. Even with a GED, the chances are not good. Only about 1/2 of a percent of all Air Force enlistments each year are GED-Holders. To even be considered for one of these very few slots, a GED-holder must score a minimum of 65 on the AFQT. The Air Force allows a higher enlistment rank for recruits with college credit.

From the same website info about enlisting in the Army.
Education - Those without a high school education need not apply. The Army allows no more than 10 to 15 percent per year of their enlistees to have a GED. To even be considered, a high school dropout (GED) must score at least a 50 on the AFQT. Like the Air Force, the Army also offers a higher enlistment rank for recruits with college. Unlike the Air Force, where the maximum initial enlistment rank for college credits is E-3, the Army offers the rank of E-4 for those with a bachelors degree.

Hope that this information helps. Sorry that it is not better news.

 

[sharbear]

I re read your post and have more to add. First, it seems that your DS did get his HS diploma, if so that is good news.

http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/armedfly/blmental.htm This is a list of disqualifying conditions to join the military.

 

[doxdogy]

Best thing is for your son to talk to an Air Force Recruiter. Sometimes a waiver can be given for past medical history. It really depends on the rules of the Air Force. He will be questioned about his entire past medical history.

 

[drakethib]

His recruiter can give him guidance on this.

I think he will be fine.

 

[Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki]

My husband is a Major in the Air Force. Though he has always been an officer and did complete college, he did not attend his senior year of high school. He was admitted to college at age 17 and has neither a diploma nor a GED.

If your son has been successful at gaining entry to community college and has had at least a couple of semesters in, he should have no problem at all enlisting. They just don't take high school drop-outs.

To the questions regarding pyschiatric medications, the recruiters want you to be off those drugs for at least 9 months before enlisting. My brother-in-law had a rough patch after graduating college and took anti-depressants for about a year...and tried to join the military. They told him to get off the psych meds and come back when he hadn't had any for about 9 months. He was later accepted into Officer Training School in the guard.

 

[ahutton]

The biggest thing I would say is don't hide or fail to disclose information. Aside from the potentional punishment factors, honor is the core of the military. The Honor Code is VERY serious, and while he may not be kicked out or fined (or any of the other punishments outlined) it certainly would inhibit his career.

Since he is in college now, has he considered an ROTC program? It may be a good bridge between getting his degree and moving towards a future in the military.

 

[minkydog]

You all are the best. I knew you'd know what to do. DS is very interested and has contacted a recruiter today. He isn't sure what he wants to do, but I told him he needs to find out *if* they will accept him. Then he can think about what kind of military career he might want.

Thanks for the encouragement. This boy has come a long way in the space of a year and I think the military would be a good match for him, someplace where he can "belong". Unfortunately, the school he is in currently has no ROTC. But his two best friends are enlisted--one just finished AFBMT at San Antonio,TX, and the other is leaving in a week or so to go to NavyBMT in Great Lakes, IL. so he is looking at it with different eyes now.

 

[doxdogy]

Glad to hear that he talked to a recruiter.

 

[BuckNaked]

I'm glad he talked to a recruiter, and especially glad that he chose the AF!!! Best of luck to him!

 

[mylightshines]

My son joined the Army right out of high school. He had received two tickets when he was a juvenile that were dismissed by the judge. In fact, the judge told him they would never be on his record. However, when he joined the Army, they had the tickets on his record.

So my advice to you is be honest when talking to the recruiter and filling out papers. Also, if he makes a career out of the military and applies for security clearance later on, they may find out about it and then he will be kicked out.