Expert: Rod Powers - 12/9/2007

Question
About a month ago, I tried joining the Army National Guard. I was very interested in serving my country while obtaining a good education.

Unfortunately, things didn't work out that way. I had seen a counselor for career counseling (not for serious mental issues) and I told the people at MEPs this. I was flagged a '3' on mental issues, and was sent back before I could be processed further. I was fairly confident that things would work out, and gave the number of the person I had seen to the MEPs crew. He got back in touch with them, and recommended me for duty while stating that I had not seen him for any serious mental health issues.

I was shocked to hear back from them about nearly a month later, stating that I  was perm disqualified because I had 'General Anxiety Disorder'. I was stunned, and my recruiter tried to obtain a waiver for me to see a 'psych consul', so that I could prove that I was not crazy.

The waiver was declined, and I am stunned and very heartbroken. I do not suffer from this condition, and I  wanted to challenge this, but I was not even given a chance. I have more heart and desire to serve in the military than most anyone you will ever meet. It kills me to think that I am forever barred from joining the service.

I am 26 years old, and approaching the age limit for trying out for any of the services. My recruiter said that the only thing that I could do was ask for a Governor's investigation of my MEPs processing, or waiting a few years and resubmitting my packet.

Is there anything at all that I can do to join? Please give me some information - I cannot believe that I will be barred from the service for something that I don't even have. Any and all information would be very helpful.

Answer
Hi Allen,

Apparently your counselor informed MEPS that you were being treated for an "anxiety disorder." I'm afraid that's a medical disqualifying condition, for military service (for obvious reasons) (see: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/intmedstandards.htm).

Now, the National Guard "belongs" to the individual *STATE* and not the Federal Government. So, your recruiter is correct in that you could contact your *STATE* Governor, and ask for an investigation.

You could also apply to join a different branch of the Service, as, just because one branch denies a medical waiver, doesn't mean another branch would. For details, see my article at: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/medicalwaiver.htm

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my U.S. Military Information Site at: http://usmilitary.about.com

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com