AboutJason 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).
Parachutist: MOS 9962: Got my wings in August of 1984
Intelligence Specialist: MOS 0231 10 years working as an Intelligence Analyist
Field Radio Operator: MOS 2531. Served as a Platoon Sergeant in a Communications Platoon assigned to MEU Service Support Group 24 (Special Operations Capable)
Publications I was an Editorial writer for Marine Corps Times from 1998-2000.
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...
I am trying to join the military right now and I am torn on whether or not I should mention the fact that I saw a psychologist. I saw one from 1999-2001 roughly, but I was never medicated at all. I was not diagnosed with any specific problem.
On my own medical records, I found no written record of having seen him. Still nervous, I called the group we had gotten the services from back then last week. They told me that after seven years, they destroy their records, so if anyone did a background check into me, they would find no evidence of the fact that I saw a psychologist, and therefore I should be safe in omitting this fact.
What do you think? Is she right? I don't want to lie, but then again I don't want to need a waiver that will most likely be denied.
ANSWER: Tom:
If there isn't an issue then why lie about it? Why would the waiver be denied? Here's the deal, if you manage to get in, and on 'Day one' of recruit training, you suddenly have an issue that requires you to seek mental health treatment, I can assure you the Marine Corps/Navy medical WILL find out about your previous treatment, and you'll be given a "Fraudulent Enlistment" discharge. That will be the end of the story and you'll not be able to enlist into anything again.
If you try for the waiver and get denied, then so be it. At least you tried.
Jason
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thank you for the quick response.
The waiver would be denied because that seems to be the dragnet policy right now over medical issues. I never took medication and I was never diagnosed with anything. It is the stigma of this that matters, I don't have mental health problems so I would definitely not seek out treatment on day one or any day of training or military service.
I guess what I am asking here is exactly how far is the military's reach when it comes to your medical records. For example, how would they know I received services at that mental health clinic in 1999-2000? Where do they go for medical records? I don't know of any place where it would be stored. I look at my doctor's notes and I don't see any record of it there either. Does it exist anywhere, and if so does the military have access to it?
Thanks in advance.
Answer Have you been told by a recruiter that it would be denied, or someone in authority? Or is this just 'net rumor'??? Have you tried and been rejected?
Once again, and I repeat, failure to disclose the information upon enlistment will result in a fraudulent enlistment discharge IF you are discovered. Many before you have tried this route and have gotten kicked out, thinking "They'll never find out".
You have two choices; Tell the truth and see what happens, and if rejected, then pursue other avenues in an attempt to enlist, (or say you at least tried and move on), OR, lie about it and take your chances that something *might not* occur. But if it does, know that the military won't show much (if any) sympathy. Many jobs require security clearances, and that is handled by civilian employees of the Office of Personnel. They will ask you questions regarding past MH history, and lying on those forms not only gets you discharged but you face potential prison time.
Bottom line is, the gov't can locate the information, should they wish to do so. It's not rocket science, and they don't need the COMPLETE records, all they need is the fact that you failed to disclose treatment. ANY treatment. Like it or not, that's the way it is.
