Expert: Howard Lorenz - 1/13/2008

Question
I need to get a waiver for 2 instances of circumstantial depression pretaining to sexual abuse and malfunctioning medication.

I am looking for anything I can do to prove to the army that I can handle stressful situations, and be a successful recruit.

I was wondering if you knew of anyway, and if my joining the ROTC basic course and/or attending the leadership training camp would help.  I don't necessarily want to be an officer, it would be great, but my main goal right now is just to get in.

I've gotten a cleanbill of mental health from a civilian-psychologist, but I was wondering if there was anything else you could think of to help me.

Oh, and also, after you have applied for a waiver and been denied, is that it? Can you no longer apply for one in the future no matter what you do?

Answer
Susan,
I wish that you would have found me before you went thru the process of trying to get into the army. Sounds to me like you already went thru the motions and was turned down?
The military in general or the department of defense doesnt look at the fact that you NOW can handle the situation you went thru with the sexual abuse, they look at the long term possibility that you can slip into anther depression for another reason in the future. They assess the "risk" and that you have already had a bout with depression rather the meds you took were working or not, its a High risk to them.

There are other ways you can serve the country that have a completely different set of rules. You can try the TSA Department of Homeland Security. Most folks dont think of this agency as being like the military, but in fact it is a Government Gob....Its under the Feds. With the way that the world is today, we need them just as much as we need folks in the armed forces. Check them out. There is also law enforcement positions that you can get like the ATF and the DEA that are essential to the nations security. You have other options...seek them out!

Susan your country still needs you although the DoD says that it cant use you.

HW