Depression and eligibility for military service

[mom2009]

My 19 yr old son was recently diagnosed with severe depression after a suicide attempt. He is now on meds and in therapy. He is in ROTC at his University and is planning on joining the army at the end of this semester. He says that they will take him, however I have doubts. Does severe depression make him ineligible for military service?

[LeftCoastChick]

Generally speaking no. They seem to push out people with PTSD after combat and aren't supportive. ROTC is hugely different, no possiblity of combat. I had a heck of a time getting approved to stay on at 911, due to the need for full disclosure.  I know in Canada, it's an absolute no, and Israel. if he's still pushing it, go down to a recruiting office and directly ask. I wouldn't want him to get his hopes up.

[ParamedFlorena]

Hi,

I don't know how the rules are there but here in Europe no females with suicide and medications in their history are enrolled.

I tried a year ago and even if I felt like the depression was all dealt with, the word was "had you been a male, you'd be in".
Their argument was that if I was sent abroad, they couldn't get me my meds.

What I should have done, was to get my physician to write a short letter or some way state that I was healthy. I don't know for sure how they'll think when it comes to your son but he could do his basic training (it gives him great credits) and not enlist for going abroad perhaps. I still wish now and then that I'd have been able to do the basic training instead of getting that paper saying "not fit for service war nor peace".

Perhaps he could enlist later, when his depression is more copeable and he feels it is more stabile? Here at least, you get one chance and the door is slammed.

Good luck, I hope he finds the right thing to do.

Florena