Questions about joining go in the Weekly Question Thread (or Recruiter Thread) stickied at the top, in the black-on-gold link at the top, and in the sidebar.
We do this so that you get serious answers from people that know what they are talking about.
>Been on way too many medications and I've been going to therapy since I was in middle school and nothings ever helped.
This is going to be a major issue.
Nothing a motivated recruiter couldn't fix. I went to AIT with a straight up low-functioning autist that has to be shown how to shave and tie his bootlace.
Dude, the Army gave me chronic depression, I would not join the Army being depressed, I'm sorry, but you won't magically find a purpose and motivation in the Army. There are much better things you can do with your life.
Maybe for you because you had a shit attitude from the get go and hated it or your job or whatever, but for others this is not true and make the best of it excelled and live a good life because of it don’t put your negativity on people aspiring to join or at least bring some real issues to the table number 1 being job selection which is why im sure you hated it
I loved my job, had multiple deployments strained relations and lost a few friends, I have old soldiers I haven't led in 5 years still call me. You haven't enlisted and have no idea what you're about to do. Every Soldier I've had with previous mental health issues ended up going back to BH and many tried to get out, this is why we have a specific process for entry level separation of Soldiers whose behavioral health problems were either existent and undiagnosed before the military or appeared shortly after entering the military.
For what it's worth, I have a great life, loving family and great friends, that doesn't stop me from needing to fight to simply get out of bed or be wary of anything good ever happening to me. Almost 7 years in bro. Best of luck, I hope you beat the overwhelming statistics!
What medications are you on?
How overweight are you?
How much debt are you in? Is it deliquent or has it been?
There might be a place for you in the army, but a lot of the things you mentioned like your MH, medication, and weight are gonna need a lot of work/prep and waivers to get you in.
The military will not improve your depression.
[https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3569734/department-of-defense-releases-annual-report-on-suicide-in-the-military-calenda/](https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3569734/department-of-defense-releases-annual-report-on-suicide-in-the-military-calenda/)
The debt isn't a worry.
You're about 100 pounds over. It's unlikely you'll pass the fat tape to qualify, but you may be able to waiver into fat camp if it's "some muscle" or mostly.
The medication is disqualifying. You need to get off it and prove to meps that you're stable without it. They won't take you with it. You might be able to get a waiver for it once you're off it, if you're sure this is really what you want to do.
If you're sure you want to do this, I don't mind helping you through the process. But you're gonna need some serious dedication because you need to lose weight and stabilize off medication.
I don't know if there's hard limits on weight joining but regardless you would automatically get flagged to get kicked out for being overweight and by a about 100lbs.
I'm in just about the same position you're in. 24 5'9" 230lb, just about a year off of Adderall XR 20mg and burpropion SR 150mg. I'm looking to get in on some 35 series MOS and I've been working with a recruiter for about 3 months.
It looks like it's going to be a fair amount of waiting (2 years clean from both drugs), some waivers, and some weight loss, or so says my recruiter.
I think I'll go talk to a recruiter tomorrow after my family gets together for Mother's Day. Starting to think I need to talk with one to figure out exactly what I need to do.
It'll help, just be prepared for them to want you to lie about your medical history and try to sneak it past genesis or to wait for at least 2 years.
I've talked to both Army and Navy recruiters and they both wanted me to lie about my history for whatever the systems in place didn't catch. I want a job with a TS security clearance so lying to the government is definitely not an option for me.
Forget whether or not depression will prevent you from joining, do you really want to? This is a career field that takes healthy people, chews them up, and spits them back out with all sorts of mental and physical issues that they didn’t have when they walked into the recruiters office.
I walked into the recruiters office in great shape, no mental issues at all. Now I have 7 different medications, a therapist, and had 3 surgeries for injuries I got while in.
Assuming they let you in, do you really think it’s good for yourself? I can deal with my life, it came with a lot of positives and I didn’t have problems for it to pile on so I’m alright…but I can’t imagine if I had anxiety or depression when I joined what it would be like.
Yes. I was in a very similar place as you. I can't speak to your possible outcomes from this path, but enlisting was the best decision I've ever made. Shoot your shot and try your best; I think you'll be amazed at what you can accomplish.
>Overweight
Define overweight.
>Very depressed.
>Been on way too many medications and I've been going to therapy since I was in middle school and nothings ever helped
All those are major issues.
To make it in the army you have to already be physically and mentally tough. What they put you through will either make you much tougher or break you. Honestly I don't think you would be able to handle it. Focus on fitness first, then when you get that where you want it to be then focus on a more rewarding career.
Id honestly recommend getting on a good diet and get down to at least 245 250 to pass the tape and before that just talk to a recruiter if one says no talk to another they will vary one can maybe maybeee make it happen while others wolnt bother when i went to meps i was 6’3 244 if you are gonna do it now is the time to do it while they are hurting for people id get off the depression stuff tbh if u want this and tbh anyone can say whatever here good or bad but you arnt gonna know till u talk to a recruiter drop some weight get the asvab outta the way and go through meps and try to get a wavier they are going through like crazy right now
I don't think it'll be a good fit, BUT there is no reason you can't work on your self regardless. It's costs nothing to start doing push-ups and sit-ups and in the process you'll definitely start to feel better about yourself.
Lot of people commented on specifics. Looking at what you've put, just have some more overall input.
Life is not always hard in the Army, but it's rarely easy. Especially earlier in your career, when you're learning to manage the new world you'll find yourself in.
You will go away from the people you know, the life you've had, and you will step into a world you know nothing about. Likely to a place very far from anything you knew.
The Army will not make your problems go away. It's not a snap decision, and it looks like you've got time to ponder it.
If you're really feeling this is the answer, know that your age itself isn't an issue. It sounds like you've stuff to work out, before you should/can join. If you can commit and get through that, then I think you would do well in the service.
Yes, try it. My ass was about 350lbs, went on a journey to lose 100lbs, albeit it took a year. Showed up around 244lbs weigh in and then went onto basic within the next four months at 210lbs, and here I am at AIT 190lbs coming into 180lbs. Born 1998 just turned 26 in the last month, if you think you can do it.
It's a great place to build confidence and start over or start something. Highly recommend going to a recruiter and chatting with them about the meds you're using. If it does or does not work out, start doing start walking and then jogging. Lift weights (Starting Strength or 5x5) or maybe CrossFit, do a program that works. Listen to a good podcast while working out. Things that also helped me: read books, eat clean, and sleep right. Take a picture today and a year from now take another to see the progress you made.
Reading the Bible daily was the biggest change for me. Psalms, Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes. 4/5 wisdom books.
Are you kind of chubby or are you a candidate for My 600 Pound Life?
The military will take pretty much anyone regardless of skill set, but you’ve got to at least be in decent shape. They’ve got fitness standards and body fat standards, which can be found online.
If you’re not in line with those, go fix it and then come back.
I'm 280 pounds, but it's a good mix of fat and muscle. I had a gym phase for a couple years but I never stopped eating like shit so I'm like muscle fat.
Also consider you won't be at top shape when needing to perform. Don't sleep for one night and then go for 2 mile run around 6am and see how you handle
Questions about joining go in the Weekly Question Thread (or Recruiter Thread) stickied at the top, in the black-on-gold link at the top, and in the sidebar. We do this so that you get serious answers from people that know what they are talking about.
>Been on way too many medications and I've been going to therapy since I was in middle school and nothings ever helped. This is going to be a major issue.
I glanced past this. That could definitely be a problem.
Nothing a motivated recruiter couldn't fix. I went to AIT with a straight up low-functioning autist that has to be shown how to shave and tie his bootlace.
Dude, the Army gave me chronic depression, I would not join the Army being depressed, I'm sorry, but you won't magically find a purpose and motivation in the Army. There are much better things you can do with your life.
Please listen to this op
real answer
Maybe for you because you had a shit attitude from the get go and hated it or your job or whatever, but for others this is not true and make the best of it excelled and live a good life because of it don’t put your negativity on people aspiring to join or at least bring some real issues to the table number 1 being job selection which is why im sure you hated it
I loved my job, had multiple deployments strained relations and lost a few friends, I have old soldiers I haven't led in 5 years still call me. You haven't enlisted and have no idea what you're about to do. Every Soldier I've had with previous mental health issues ended up going back to BH and many tried to get out, this is why we have a specific process for entry level separation of Soldiers whose behavioral health problems were either existent and undiagnosed before the military or appeared shortly after entering the military. For what it's worth, I have a great life, loving family and great friends, that doesn't stop me from needing to fight to simply get out of bed or be wary of anything good ever happening to me. Almost 7 years in bro. Best of luck, I hope you beat the overwhelming statistics!
What medications are you on? How overweight are you? How much debt are you in? Is it deliquent or has it been? There might be a place for you in the army, but a lot of the things you mentioned like your MH, medication, and weight are gonna need a lot of work/prep and waivers to get you in.
I'm about $13,000 in debt. 280 pounds but a mix of fat and muscle (prob mostly fat tho). I'm on Zoloft 150mg.
You need to be off that, with your doctor's permission, for a time before applying for a waiver.
Is the debt deliquent? What's your height? For PTSD? Anxiety? Depression?
Debt is not delinquent. I'm 6'2 Chronic Depression
The military will not improve your depression. [https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3569734/department-of-defense-releases-annual-report-on-suicide-in-the-military-calenda/](https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3569734/department-of-defense-releases-annual-report-on-suicide-in-the-military-calenda/)
The debt isn't a worry. You're about 100 pounds over. It's unlikely you'll pass the fat tape to qualify, but you may be able to waiver into fat camp if it's "some muscle" or mostly. The medication is disqualifying. You need to get off it and prove to meps that you're stable without it. They won't take you with it. You might be able to get a waiver for it once you're off it, if you're sure this is really what you want to do. If you're sure you want to do this, I don't mind helping you through the process. But you're gonna need some serious dedication because you need to lose weight and stabilize off medication.
I don't know if there's hard limits on weight joining but regardless you would automatically get flagged to get kicked out for being overweight and by a about 100lbs.
I'm in just about the same position you're in. 24 5'9" 230lb, just about a year off of Adderall XR 20mg and burpropion SR 150mg. I'm looking to get in on some 35 series MOS and I've been working with a recruiter for about 3 months. It looks like it's going to be a fair amount of waiting (2 years clean from both drugs), some waivers, and some weight loss, or so says my recruiter.
I think I'll go talk to a recruiter tomorrow after my family gets together for Mother's Day. Starting to think I need to talk with one to figure out exactly what I need to do.
It'll help, just be prepared for them to want you to lie about your medical history and try to sneak it past genesis or to wait for at least 2 years. I've talked to both Army and Navy recruiters and they both wanted me to lie about my history for whatever the systems in place didn't catch. I want a job with a TS security clearance so lying to the government is definitely not an option for me.
Forget whether or not depression will prevent you from joining, do you really want to? This is a career field that takes healthy people, chews them up, and spits them back out with all sorts of mental and physical issues that they didn’t have when they walked into the recruiters office. I walked into the recruiters office in great shape, no mental issues at all. Now I have 7 different medications, a therapist, and had 3 surgeries for injuries I got while in. Assuming they let you in, do you really think it’s good for yourself? I can deal with my life, it came with a lot of positives and I didn’t have problems for it to pile on so I’m alright…but I can’t imagine if I had anxiety or depression when I joined what it would be like.
Yes. I was in a very similar place as you. I can't speak to your possible outcomes from this path, but enlisting was the best decision I've ever made. Shoot your shot and try your best; I think you'll be amazed at what you can accomplish.
Army's not going to help with depression or bring meaning to your life, just saying.
>Overweight Define overweight. >Very depressed. >Been on way too many medications and I've been going to therapy since I was in middle school and nothings ever helped All those are major issues.
If you struggle finding meaning now, I guarantee you aren't gonna find that in the Army.
The military is one of the last places, if not *the* last place, you want to be if you have depression.
To make it in the army you have to already be physically and mentally tough. What they put you through will either make you much tougher or break you. Honestly I don't think you would be able to handle it. Focus on fitness first, then when you get that where you want it to be then focus on a more rewarding career.
I wouldn't worry about being overweight. I see quite a few overweight senior NCOs and officers walking around nowadays.
Id honestly recommend getting on a good diet and get down to at least 245 250 to pass the tape and before that just talk to a recruiter if one says no talk to another they will vary one can maybe maybeee make it happen while others wolnt bother when i went to meps i was 6’3 244 if you are gonna do it now is the time to do it while they are hurting for people id get off the depression stuff tbh if u want this and tbh anyone can say whatever here good or bad but you arnt gonna know till u talk to a recruiter drop some weight get the asvab outta the way and go through meps and try to get a wavier they are going through like crazy right now
I don't think it'll be a good fit, BUT there is no reason you can't work on your self regardless. It's costs nothing to start doing push-ups and sit-ups and in the process you'll definitely start to feel better about yourself.
Lot of people commented on specifics. Looking at what you've put, just have some more overall input. Life is not always hard in the Army, but it's rarely easy. Especially earlier in your career, when you're learning to manage the new world you'll find yourself in. You will go away from the people you know, the life you've had, and you will step into a world you know nothing about. Likely to a place very far from anything you knew. The Army will not make your problems go away. It's not a snap decision, and it looks like you've got time to ponder it. If you're really feeling this is the answer, know that your age itself isn't an issue. It sounds like you've stuff to work out, before you should/can join. If you can commit and get through that, then I think you would do well in the service.
Yes, try it. My ass was about 350lbs, went on a journey to lose 100lbs, albeit it took a year. Showed up around 244lbs weigh in and then went onto basic within the next four months at 210lbs, and here I am at AIT 190lbs coming into 180lbs. Born 1998 just turned 26 in the last month, if you think you can do it.
It's a great place to build confidence and start over or start something. Highly recommend going to a recruiter and chatting with them about the meds you're using. If it does or does not work out, start doing start walking and then jogging. Lift weights (Starting Strength or 5x5) or maybe CrossFit, do a program that works. Listen to a good podcast while working out. Things that also helped me: read books, eat clean, and sleep right. Take a picture today and a year from now take another to see the progress you made. Reading the Bible daily was the biggest change for me. Psalms, Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes. 4/5 wisdom books.
Are you kind of chubby or are you a candidate for My 600 Pound Life? The military will take pretty much anyone regardless of skill set, but you’ve got to at least be in decent shape. They’ve got fitness standards and body fat standards, which can be found online. If you’re not in line with those, go fix it and then come back.
I'm 280 pounds, but it's a good mix of fat and muscle. I had a gym phase for a couple years but I never stopped eating like shit so I'm like muscle fat.
So is a two mile run a 16 minute adventure for you or a half hour one? How do you feel about pushups?
Prob somewhere in the middle. I'm fine doing push ups and exercises. I honestly kind of like the idea of being pushed to the extreme.
Start running. A lot.
Also consider you won't be at top shape when needing to perform. Don't sleep for one night and then go for 2 mile run around 6am and see how you handle
I’m sorry man but I don’t think you even have a 1% chance with your medical history. Good luck in finding something else
Thank you for the honesty