Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Physical requirements to join Marines

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Expert: - 3/7/2008


Question
I am an associate psychologist for the Texas Youth commission and I work on the Crisis Stabilization Unit (A unit with youths who are emotionally disturbed) It sounds bad but many of them are normal with medications. Anyhow, I have a youth who is soon to be 18 and he wants to join the Marine Corps, however, I feel that there are several things working against him. For one, he has a heart condition in which the muscles that surrounds the ventricles get thick if his heart beats really fast (I think this is the problem) Also, would he be disqualified because he has required mental health treatment? Last question, since he is incarcerated will that also ruin his chances for being accepted. This will all be good information I can use for the other boys I work with. Thanks and have a nice day!

Answer
Kandi:

 Your kid would have to be looked at by a doctor at MEPS for his heart, but that sounds like a disqualifier to me.  Not sure of what it's called and only a doctor could say for sure.  

 The other issue is the incarceration and mental health issues.  Both will almost certainly disqualify him.  As far as meds go, (for anything, not just Mental), the standard usually says 3-5 years med free prior to enlistment for strong prescription medication.   And that means no re-lapses requiring further treatment during that time.

 So, sad to say, most of these kids will be DQ'd.  

Jason

Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard

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Jason Grabill

Expertise

Questions relating to US Marine Corps; rank, awards, uniforms, career choices. I can also help people spot and expose fakes (people pretending to be Marines or have awards they didn`t earn). Considering the Marines as a career? Or another branch, like the Air National Guard? Drop me a line. HOWever..know that I am NOT a recruiter. I can offer my expert opinion and advice, but can't (and won't) over rule what a recruiter says, they are the 'on duty' expert.

Experience

Infantry Rifleman, MOS 0311: 3 years. Marine Barracks Security (Marine Barracks, Annapolis, Maryland(not Embassy Duty): 3 years. Parachutist: MOS 9962: Got my wings in August of 1984. Intelligence Specialist: MOS 0231 10 years working as an Intelligence Analyst with a Fixed Wing Fighter Squadron, Force Service Support Group, and at Headquarters, Marine Corps. Field Radio Operator: MOS 2531. Served as a Platoon Sergeant in a Communications Platoon assigned to MEU Service Support Group 24 (Special Operations Capable). Did a hitch in the Army reserves as an 11B (Infantryman), 3 years. Finished out my career in the Air National Guard as a BioEnvironmental Engineer MOS 4B3X1, did that for a few years. I"ve been collecting and selling Marine Corps and other military uniforms, medals, and field gear since I was 8 years old.

Organizations
United States Marine Corps Logistical Company.

Publications
I was an Editorial writer for Marine Corps Times from 1998-2000.

Education/Credentials
Extensive library of research materials relating to uniforms, medals, and equipment of the military and the Marine Corps. 22 College credits, Community College of the Air Force. Certified Historical Interpreter.

Awards and Honors
Kosovo Campaign Medal w/1 star Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 4 stars. Numerous other unit awards. I was on duty on 9/11 at HQMC, near the Pentagon, and responded to that location to try and lend a hand if needed...

Past/Present Clients
United States Marine Corps Historical Company, Guardian Security and Investigations, lead Investigator for 'Stolen Valor' cases.

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