Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 10/29/2010

Question
Good afternoon Sir. My name is Alex I'm a high school senior who has an interest in joining the military. I was wondering can I still get in with a disorder? I mean I'm not a psychopath and I don't have any conduct problems, but I do have periods of depression (mostly low level, there was one time that I contemplated suicide, but most of the time it's low level.) and often experience depersonalization. I mean should I get counseling first before signing up? Or is that not to big of a deal and I can just sign up?

Answer
Alex,
Sorry for the delay in answering, I just returned.

If you really want to join, you'll have to deny everything you just told me.  When you first go to the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) to take a physical exam, you'll be given a questionnaire to fill out.  It will ask, "Have you ever seen a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, counselor or other professional for any reason (inpatient or outpatient) including counseling or treatment", and also you will have a brief interview with a psychologist who will ask you if you've ever had depression or thoughts of suicide.  If you answer yes, the interview is over and you'll be disqualified and sent home.

That's how it works, so if you can feel comfortable saying no, that's how you can get in.   By no means am I encouraging you to lie, I'm just telling you what many other people in your situation do.

If you decide not to ever join the military, then you may want to see a psychiatrist if you believe the problem is severe enough.  If it's not, then don't worry about it.  The pressures of high school are great (pressure to perform, peer pressure, etc.) so you'd be surprised at the high percentage of high school students that have contemplated suicide.  Thankfully, you're not one of the weak-willed who actually attempt it.  That fact alone should qualify you to say no.

I wish you well in whatever you choose.
Colonel H