Expert: Howard Lorenz - 4/7/2009

Question
My son was in basic training for the Air Force for only four days when he had what I would say was a panic attack.  After this they began questioning him and he admitted that he had been on an antidepressant in the past.  This is something that the recruiter told him not to mention, but that my son didn't hear that information from him.  They threatened to arrest him and charge him with fraud and told him he would be discharged.  I am awaiting his return home and am very upset.  They told him he could fight this but probably wouldn't win and would just end up staying there an extra eight weeks for nothing.  Is there anything that can be done or is there is a chance in the future he can get back in?  I feel very helpless right now.

Answer
Michelle, Sorry for not getting back to you sooner, Im prepping for deployment.

This is an unfortunate turn of events for your son, who was no doubt coached by his recruiter. Its rare that a recruiter doesnt find out that kind of info from an applicant during the initial medical questionaire, thats why we have them. There are some recruiters that will walk a grey line and some go over that line, but even if the recruiter told him not to mention the medications, it still falls on your sone because he ws the one that certified that he had not taken them when he went to the MEPS..

He will more than likely be discharged for fraudulent enlistment, which will basically barr him from going back to the military. They usually never charge them with anything, they Federal Government has the right to prosecute, but rarely does because it costs more money and man power to go thru the motions of prosecution. Its easier to discharge...  

Recruiters who advise young airman to with hold information do not think of the consequences to the person being when something happens and the information comes out... I as a prior recruiter want to apologize for that recruiters actions, because that is not how we were trained to do business.

My advise is get him in school and get him focused his future with out the military.. There are other ways to serve this country with out being in the military...

H