I figured I'd ask...

[lagrand]

Background: My mother had put me on antidepressants last summer and I got off in December of 2007. I, personally, did not think I needed them but she knows what's best for me, right? :evilgrin: Regardless, my recruiter told me to wait 6 months and I did. So come June 2008, I head to MEPS. MEPS tells me I'm disqualified. We talk to MEPS and also BUMED and they agree to give me a psychological evaluation. So I head to MEPS again in late July 2008, hoping I'll be able to leave in August. I see the psychiatrist (civilian) and his notes were along the lines of "Cheerful, cooperative young man. Smiling, upbeat, etc." but his recommendation is "Defer enlistment for a full year after being off medication (which would put me at December 2008) because of 50% chance of relapse". My dad left and my parents then divorced and I was failing high school and the state took my driver's license away. Yeah, I was down in the dumps but 50% chance of relapse? And from there I have just been waiting.

Question: Is there anyone that knows of a way to appeal this psychiatrist's recommendation? Can I schedule my own appointment with a psychiatrist and get a different opinion and send it up to BUMED/MEPS? Ya know, it never hurts to ask. I figured I would seeing how I have to wait 3 or so months, why not take a stab at what information I can gather?

Thank you all and God bless.

- LaGrand

[Achped]

Someone may be able to help you, as I know something like this is possible although I have no idea the means to do it.

I have however been to Cary....and it is a nice quiet little town on the way to the Raleigh airport on your way OUT of Lejeune :)

[CplKJSpevak]

People need to stop putting their kid's on medications like that!!! Alert people,,,,the drug company's are in it for the money, and the doctors are in bed with 'em!!

[MARINECID]

You can re-submit a Bumed with additional documents. Go to your own doctor and have a second opinion. Then re-submit those documents to your recruiter and have him run the Bumed again. However, the normal wait time for enlisting after going off meds is 1 year. You can also have your mom write a letter and explain why she put you on meds(if it will be favorable) and submit that to Bumed also.

[lagrand]

Thanks Gunny. I'll speak with my recruiter about doing so and see what he thinks.

Corporal, I am with you on that!

Lance Corporal Achped, I live about 10 minutes from RDU. It is a very nice little town but growing fast! It's a little bubble we live in, here in Cary. It'll be nice to get out eventually but I'd like to come back and raise a family here...A LONG time from now!

[2ndLAADBnWRENCH]

My PTSD Theropist is Retired SGT Major.. He handles alot of familys n kids of Combat Vets. He's in California. I'll get some scoop from him next time he an I talk soon. Give me a few days.
Be patient and stay focused and CooL attitude..

[lagrand]

Thank you Sergeant. Much appreciated.

Update: I called my recruiter today and asked him if I got another recommendation from another psychiatrist, whether or not I could re-send it up to BUMED and he said it wouldn't be possible.

[Mikewebe]

Thank you Sergeant. Much appreciated.

Update: I called my recruiter today and asked him if I got another recommendation from another psychiatrist, whether or not I could re-send it up to BUMED and he said it wouldn't be possible.


Don't give up your dream lagrand.

[lagrand]

Aye, Corporal.

I've waited for the last year and half, I think I can wait another 3 months. It was just a bummer having to keep getting pushed back, but hey, better to be temporarily disqualed than permanently.

[Mikewebe]

The time you waited will be well worth the rest of your life when you are one of us. Head up, chin out. Get some dammit. Keep working the system and finding ways. Worse comes to worse look at another branch that will offer you a great opportunity to grow the rest of your life. College money a career and such. I wouldn't trade my time in the Corps for the world, but I have reflected back and wondered should I have done something else. I'll never know. But I want you to go in confident and with all avenues explored before you do decide on another route, copy ?

[lagrand]

Roger that, Corporal.

As you said, the time waited will be well worth it in the end. I have had people question my motives after being pushed back so many times and asked whether or not I am meant to be a Marine. Honestly, it's just my first taste of the Marine Corps. My first test to see how many times I get back up after being knocked down. God is throwing me some curve balls but I sure as hell ain't gonna strike out this far into the game.

Once again, thanks for the encouragement. God bless.

- Jacob