Expert: Jason Grabill - 3/22/2010

Question
I am a 18 year old male who is going to be joining the National Guard in September 2010 and shipping to BCT in June 2011. I just have a few questions to ask about medical conditions, because I'm going to do my physical within the next week or two.

In 2003, at age 11, I was diagnosed with Membrane Nephropathy and was treated with the medication Enalapril until December of 2007 and was told that it had cleared up in January 2008.

In 2008, I was diagnosed with Clinical Depression (many believe this is a wrongful diagnosis and really had Situational Depression) and was treated with 30mg of Lexapro. I stopped taking the medication in September 2009, and have been fine ever since.

In July of 2009, I was sent to St. Luke's East Crittenton Campus for "behavioral problems" and was treated with the medication Risperidone .5mg a day. I stopped taking the medication as well in September 2009. I was never diagnosed with anything for that medication besides just helping with my temper, and ever since getting off of both medications I have been fine, mentally.

My recruiter is telling me that I need to wait up to 2 years before they will clear me medically, but I have seen on some websites cases of only having to wait 6 months to a year. I was just wondering if they would medically discharge me with a code 4 (meaning I could never enlist again) or is there a way for me to get waivers to get me cleared. Like before I said I'm feeling fine, mentally and physically, and I can still make good judgments. I've been wanting to join the military for a very long time now, and I was just wondering what I need to do to get in or should I lie?

Answer
Jordan:

 Your recruiter is correct.  He or she has the latest and most up to date information.  And at this point, lying wouldn't do any good anyway, since you've already told your recruiter.  AND it's a federal offense, AND it will get you a 'fraudulent enlistment' discharge.   While YOU may feel like  you are 'ok', the military is far more stressful than your day to day life as it is now, and there is no telling how you'll react.  And, quite frankly, if you are thinking about lying to enlist, then I don't call that 'good judgement'.  

 You'll need to be off the meds for AT LEAST a year and get doctors clearance prior to enlisting.  It's just that simple, there are no waivers and no way around it.  Wait it out and do the right thing.

Jason