Expert: John L - 8/12/2009

Question
Hi I am a mother of a 18yr old who joined the army at 17 he recently left for boot camp and had a complete mental break down and self mutilated himself after 1 week of basic. Prior to him joining and all I spoke with the recruiters and explained to them he had ADHD, depression, with a mild case of Bi-Polar, shared with them that he was on medication. And at the age of 17 i felt he was a minor and was liable to tell them, they told us DON'T ASK DON'T TELL! Now with all that said the 2 of them told him not to take his meds because he had to get though MEPS. He has been off meds for some time and seemed fine, but all of a sudden he flipped out and hurt himself and is now on suicide watch and looking at detachment from the army! He wanted this so much and I blame the recruiters for this and finding out he probably should have not been able to join to start. But the recruiters and their boss are blaming my son for not informing MEPS of his cond. He was a minor child and I told them he had these problems but they told us not to worry the army will take care of it once he is in?? please tell me WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED!? I did what any parent would do and that is to make sure he is in safe hands and I feel he was not in the safest with these Army recruiters. Is there help for him? Can he get help or medications from the army? Or do they see him as a lost cause?

Answer
at 17 you signed his medical form and consent to join,  he will get no help from the Army since he lied about his issues before joining.  Concelaing adhd medicine as a kid is fine and one thing, but his issues put his life in danger and should not be taken lightly.  If you told the recruiters, they should have stopped right there and told him he wasn't able to join, but they wanted their number so bad it almost cost a young man his life. I would follow up with his recruit command and complain about recruiter impropriety.  they will be forced to do an investigation.  But be aware, you signed a form 2807-2 which showed he had no medical problems.  But do not worry, no one will come after you for going along with what a recruiter said.