Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 9/19/2010

Question
QUESTION: I'm in the air forceand have been in about 7 months now and it's not for
me nor what I want.. I'm beginning to get depressed about it and life in it..
How do I go about getting out and if I get discharged for it, will it ruin my
chances of having a civilian job?

ANSWER: Jamey,
I'm sorry to hear you're having such a rough time of it.  The military just isn't for everybody.

First of all you need to seek help for your depression.  Depression is actually treatable medically, and if you don't treat it now, for free, it will come back to haunt you in civilian life.

When certain chemicals in the brain (such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine) are out of balance, depression can occur. Antidepressants improve the symptoms of depression by bringing these chemicals back into balance.

There are many effective treatments for depression, including therapy, medication, and alternative treatments.  Discuss this with a doctor and see what he recommends.  If you don't enjoy what you're doing or look forward to going to work everyday, then you definitely need a change in lifestyle.

Being medically discharged is not necessarily a bad thing, nor will it ruin your chances for a good civilian job.  If you don't see a doctor, you can end up getting a Dishonorable Discharge, and that will haunt you for the rest of your life.

I have seen depressed people work toward getting themselves thrown out of the military without getting their depression treated, and then later regret having left the Service, because their depression followed them wherever they went.

It's no small matter.  See a doctor immediately.  You don't have to tell your supervisor why, just say it's something internal.

I wish you well, and thanks for your Service thus far.
Colonel H

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks so much for the advice and concern.. Its nice to hear words of
encouragement. I heard being medically discharged for depression is a
long drawn out process. Is that true? About how long does it take? I just
feel like I need to get out and go home to my support system soon so I
can get better and the thought of it taking forever to be separated makes
me feel worse. Could you offer any advice on how long it takes? Thanks
so much for your help

Answer
Jamey,
Any discharge takes 3-6 weeks.  A medical discharge takes a bit longer because there's possible money involved.  Depending upon the doctor's findings, you may or may not be awarded a disability rating.  If this disability is high enough the government may be on the hook to pay you disability for the rest of your life.  Because of the possible big $ involved the government will take extra steps to ensure they get it right so they won't have to pay you much, if any.

I hope your support system is as good as you believe it will be.

Colonel H