There are many specific medical conditions that may disqualify you from joining the U.S. Military. These include conditions like depression, bipolar disorder, epilepsy, heart issues, Asperger's, and PTSD.
Reasons the Military Won't Accept You
The reasons the Army won't accept you are numerous; they include age and weight restrictions, medical and criminal histories, and even certain tattoos, according to the team at We Are the Mighty. Similar reasons exist for the other branches, as well.
What can disqualify you at MEPS? Any disqualifications that appear during your MEPS physical exam or interview may prevent you from joining the Army. These disqualifications can include illegal drug use, alcohol dependence, not meeting height/weight requirements, having certain contagious diseases, among others.
You must be a U.S. citizen or resident alien. You must be at least 17 years old (17-year-old applicants require parental consent). You must (with very few exceptions) have a high school diploma. You must pass a physical medical exam.
If you have three or more convictions related to driving while intoxicated, drugged, or impaired in the past five years before joining. If you are convicted for five or more misdemeanors. If you are unable to pass a drug or alcohol test, or if you have current charges pending against you.
While ADHD alone does not disqualify a person from military service, the Department of Defense (DOD) places significant enlistment restrictions on individuals with an ADHD diagnosis and/or prior treatment with medication. Has documentation of adverse academic, occupational, or work performance.
For anxiety disorders (for example, panic disorder), a person cannot enter the armed services if they needed any inpatient care, or outpatient care for more than 12 months cumulatively. They must not have needed any treatment for their anxiety disorder in the past 36 months.
The ideal height requirement for men in the military is between 60-80 inches / 152-203 cm. Anyone above or below this requirement is likely to get rejected.
According to the Kansas City Star, four out of five adults are turned down by the military every year. To make matters more difficult for potential future applicants, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel intends to decrease the number of active duty service members from 520,000 to 490,000.
ENLISTED. You must be 17–39 years of age, a U.S. citizen and have a high school diploma, GED with 15 college credits or GED.
The only likely reason for anyone being truly nondeployable is that they have a medical problem that prevents deployment. In that case, if the medical problem persists for 12 months, current Pentagon policy is to muster that service person out of the military.
It is about reintegrating back into society. It starts by making meaningful connections in life beyond the military. This process is made harder by the clear purpose, shared identity, and social norms of the military culture. Even without these obstacles, connection isn't easy.
There are plenty of on-base entertainment resources available to service members and their families: gyms, movie theaters, bowling alleys, parks and more. In addition to facilities, the Military also works with Armed Forces Entertainment to bring exclusive entertainment shows.
Military life results in uncertainty and breaks in routine, which can cause family members to experience high anxiety, depression, PTSD and long-term mental health and wellness injuries. Many spouses feel it will hurt their military partner's chances of promotion if they would seek help for stress or depression.
To lose weight without affecting performance, avoid cutting more than 10–15 percent of the calories from the amount you normally consume. Eating 250 to 500 fewer calories per day will help you achieve a safe and effective weight loss of ½ to 1 pound per week.
More generally we find that measurements taking into account relative difference of fighting efforts outperform measurements based on absolute difference or ratio measurements. In other words, relative size matters for military success.
The U.S. Army has expanded its two-year enlistment options, making it easier for individuals who may not be comfortable making a four- or six-year commitment. Under this option, after basic and advanced training, new Soldiers would only be required to spend two years on active duty.
Antidepressants are disqualifying for one year after you stop taking them. You must stop with your doctor's advice; do not stop on your own. These medications often have to be reduced slowly to lower side effects and reduce risk of relapse.
In the military's scheme of things, serious disorders such as major depression, anxiety or schizophrenia may be grounds for medical discharge or retirement, usually depending on their severity and amenability to treatment.
While a mental health diagnosis generally disqualifies a recruit from the military, therapy and medication are available to service members diagnosed while in uniform.
According to the U.S. Air Force Medical Standards Directory, Autism Spectrum Disorder is not disqualifying for continued military service unless it is currently--or has a history of--compromising military duty or training.
Whilst those diagnosed with autism are excluded from joining the Services on medical grounds, those individuals suffering mild or entirely non-disabling Asperger's Syndrome may meet the entry standards following an assessment by an occupational health physician and gaining a favourable assessment after pre-entry tests ...
The Army already allows tattoos on soldiers' arms and legs as long as they do not become visible above the collar. Face tattoos are prohibited, and soldiers are not allowed to cover up tattoos with bandages or wrappings to comply with the policy, officials said.
Desertion carries a maximum punishment of dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay, and confinement of five years. For desertion during a time of war, however, the death penalty may be applied at the discretion of the court-martial.