r/Militaryfaq

Hello,
I’m currently trying to enlist in the army with a misdiagnosis of Bipolar Disorder 1. I went to a therapist, got an official letter stating it was a misdiagnosis. I do have a past diagnosis of PTSD from 2014 (I was 15 at the time, I’m currently 27) but I didn’t take medications, go to therapy etc. I still haven’t gotten any treatment for it since then and I got a letter from my primary doctor saying that I’m mentally stable.
At the age of 13 I had a self harm incident which required therapy up until age 15. I have multiple letters stating I’m medically, mentally and physically stable for enlistment. I also have my prescription records from the past 5 years clearly showing I haven’t taken any medication.
As of today, I don’t suffer from depression, anxiety, or any mental health issue. Regardless of my mental health past at 13-15 I never got in trouble with the law.

I sent up the letters to MEPS in order to get my waiver approved the other day. What are the chances of the waiver getting approved? I’m dedicated to joining the military in order to change my life. It’s been a battle trying to get all of these letters the past year so I’m hoping it all works out.

I've always wanted to join the military but various life choices made it not happen. I'm now older (40) but honestly a better fit for the military now than I ever have been. The army reserves is the branch I'm looking at joining.

I'm looking at the position of religious affairs specialist. I know there is the 10 week basic training. It also calls for 7 weeks advanced training. Since this isn't a "field" job? (I think I'm describing that right) it looks like I'm able to do online courses for the advanced training. Is anyone able to confirm if that's the correct assumption?

If I'm not able to do it online, what is housing like at fort Jackson SC? I have a large family so would I be able to do get housing for my family? I know this may seem like a crazy idea for someone who is older and married with kids. But it's something I've always wanted to do, and I'm fit enough, mature enough, and disciplined. My faith and relationship with God are strong and I want to help others. This path would check a lot of boxes for me.

Any feedback is appreciated.

I am 35 and I have followed the guide to "being normal" to a T. I have had a long successful career in finance, I've been married (24 to 33), raised children (stepkids) and divorced a little over year ago. Now, my life is empty, all of my direct family members (mom dad brothers aunts uncles and cousins) have all moved out of state and I have nothing holding me here. I have two very close friends who are married and just now have/ are having children, so i see them less and less. I dont drink, I dont smoke, and I dont really get invited to much of anything as a result. I rent, have no pets, and work fully remote.

The idea of enlisting at 35 seems wild to me, but I cant shake that it would be more fulfilling that \*gestures broadly\* this.

Am I insane? Am I creating a fantasy in my head?

Not sure if its important for this post, but I am 6'1, 155lbs, workout regularly and run a 5k in 22 mins flat, so I feel like I could meet the minimum requirements maybe?

I want to join a veterinarian. Corps don't know where to start

I have been studying for the asvab a bunch, but should I really go with all the war going on,

my friends are telling me I shouldn’t go because every branch instantly sends you to infantry first,

and I’m most likely will die by the bombs in Iran because they will send anyone

So like the title says, my recruiter is strongly encouraging me to just enlist as an 11x, and then volunteer for RASP at OSUT. The thing is I’ve heard so many differing opinions and stories about people either not being able to volunteer at all and f*ck their whole careers up, or waiting to get an option 40 on their contract in order to get a GUARANTEED shot, and a larger signing bonus. My recruiter is telling me to just straight up enlist as 11x and then working it out at OSUT and volunteering, what do you guys think? I also have heard that getting an option 4 to at least be airborne is a good option as well. Point is I’ve heard to many differing opinions and want the record set straight on what I should do here since I’m dead set on wanting to become a Ranger. Thanks

Hi all,

I am wanting to enlist but I am unsure how it works with school. This past year I attended my first year of college and I also was in AFROTC. I have decided to drop out of my 4 year college, and I plan on enlisting. I need advice on when I should start talking to recruiters because I want to go to my local community college for the fall semester and I’m trying to get into better shape before enlisting. Any advice is appreciated the two branches I’m deciding between are Air Force and Marines if that helps. Also any workout recommendations are welcome.

Hi everyone,

I’m a US Citizen currently OCONUS, and I am interested in exploring military service with a focus on the 17C (Cyber Operations Specialist) MOS.

My background includes prior military service in a foreign military, where I served as a Network Manager and in a Network Operations Center (NOC)/NetOps role. My experience is centered on network infrastructure and operational stability. I am highly motivated to serve within the Cyber and Intelligence branches.

I have a specific question regarding medical eligibility:

I am currently on a stable, long-term prescription for Zoloft. I have no history of acute incidents, hospitalizations, or functional impairment, and I maintained full operational capacity throughout my entire prior service.

What is the current protocol for someone in this situation? and what are the general requirements for eligibility in this MOS given the current medical status?

I’d appreciate any insights from recruiters or 17C personnel.

I submitted my package for the SRDC (Reserve officer) program (18 May Reserve Office deadline), My LORs are really good, I've got and engineering degree from a good school, worked as an engineer, but I've been unemployed/under-employed for the last year (currently working part-time at a big box retail store). I moved through the process quickly as I wanted to get the application in as the SRDC program only comes around once a year.

I submitted my personal narrative day-of but really would have liked to refine it more. I got feedback and some said it was okay, others say C-. Thinking about withdrawing it and re-applying next year. I have not done any interview yet.

I'm worried under employment signals desperate, and I'm concerned my personal narrative not being a product that I'm happy with.

Thoughts and effect of withdrawing now (early in the process)? Again, we have not reached the deadline for the recruiter to submit yet.

Effect of proceeding with a less-than-ideal personal narrative? Would it affect follow on applications?

So basically, I’m applying for the air force and I scheduled an appointment with a recruiter tomorrow and my parents are taking me to there. I had admitted to previous drug use (weed once) which was about a week ago, and since i knew it was going to come up, I asked the recruiter to not disclose that in front of them. He told me that it has to come up and that my only other choice is to tell them to wait in the car. Long story short, not happening. How true is this?? I also want to mention I’m a legal adult. Please let me know what else I can do.

Update: Let my parents know what happened, they were cool about it. Just make sure you tell the recruiter so u don’t fail in meps. I appreciate most of u guys responses.

In April 2026, I applied for Active Duty enlistment in the U.S. Army. Unfortunately, the waiver authority denied me on medical grounds due to comorbid ADHD and a recent grief-related diagnosis. Both conditions were treated within the past 24 months. ADHD was treated with therapy and a short course of Adderall (about 2 months). Grief was treated with therapy only, no medication. I was given a 12-month wait period before I can reapply, which would put reapplying around April/May 2027.

My current Army recruiter was a bit shocked. His boss believes that resubmitting additional documentation (5 years of pharmacy records, a clarified medication end date, and updated letters from my doctor and psychiatrist supporting fitness for duty) would GUARANTEE a shortened wait period to around 6 months. I will also note I never submitted pharmacy records.

When I visited recruiters from other branches, I ran into very conflicting guidance that didn’t really line up. The Navy warned that trying to resubmit or push reconsideration would probably backfire and trigger a risky psych eval or a longer wait. The National Guard said resubmitting updated records is expected and shouldn’t negatively affect the process. I don’t know which interpretation is correct, but the disagreement itself is making it harder to decide what to do, and I’m almost resigned to giving up until next year. 🤦‍♂️

I’m spiraling gents. Prior service marine. Got out as an E-5.

33 male,

Currently working yet another shitty part time job. Mental health hasn’t been great but it’s gotten better.

Got out in 2017 when a pregnant recruiter literally shredded my reup contract. She genuinely wasn’t in her right mind and was NJP’d. I did 5 years active and 2 years reserves.

I thought I’d just get out at 25 and go back to college. Fast forward 8 years and I’m just now finishing my bachelors. I’m getting my masters in social work to work with the VA.

I’m 60% and between disability, school, job, I make about $4700/mo. Not terrible especially since I don’t have kids yet. Bills are only $1500/mo including food and gas.

I got depressed, goofed around for a few years, figured things would fall into place eventually. I saved around $150k and struggled in college but finally figured it out. No debt. Car paid off. Good credit. No problems. Just don’t have a career figured out yet.

My partner has her masters and works for the state. She has another 20 years before she retires.

I never thought I’d make it this far honestly. Kind of an idiot. Now we’re planning to start a family. It’s a lot. Too much. We can manage it but based on my projections we may be living on ramen for the next 20 years. Just enough to retire but not enough to live.

At best, we would both be making $60k each. After mortgage, childcare, insurance etc. we would be left with $1500 each month. Not terrible.

I just didn’t expect life to be this way. I need advice. Would you go back to the military if you were me?

Things I’m considering

Cons:

- Promotions aren’t guaranteed and I might not even get a retirement. Least that’s how they do things in the marines.

- I’ll lose my partner. She has to stay in NC to retire by 50.

- I am simply doing it for the money.

- I will most likely end my career as an E-6 only making an extra $1800/mo.

- I’ll be 47 if I rejoin by 34.

Pros:

- I wouldn’t be poor

- I’d get a retirement

- I could join as a butter bar

I really don’t know what to do. I’m still young and fit and could easily rejoin but it might not make sense for me. I really need help.

I’m 20 from California planning to join the army for 17C cybersecurity specialist and already did MEPS. I got a 86 on ASVAB 70 on Cyber test and passed my medical only got 1 wavier (astigmatism) got it cleared. I’m now reconsidering if I should go to the Air Force and take my chances for a cybersecurity job there since the Army I’m guaranteed the mos. I have a favorable chance for security clearance never been in trouble with law got a 790 credit score, wife and 2 kids and adopted no family in foreign country. So wondering if I should go Air Force or stay with Army I know both aren’t bad but just want a bit of food for thought on the decision.

This has probably been asked before and I know it depends all on me, but I’m about to enlist as an E-4 Specialist in the reserves.

My ASVAB is 59. These are my scores are: GT 108 GM 102 EL 102 CL 105 MM 101 SC 102 CO 102 FA 103 OF 103 ST 104

I do hold an associates in science, associates in arts, and a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies.

I read the descriptions of these jobs. Honestly, I have interests in all of them. I’m currently working as a Registered Respiratory Therapist in a Hospital on the civilian side (68V would translate if I do ACASP, but I don’t think I want to do that) would it makes sense to do ACASP?

However, I’m having second thoughts that I might lose out of something great.

I’m not sure if I’ll serve all 20 years (just the 6 for now), so I want to pick an MOS that if I get tired of medical, I can make just as much as one of the MOS’s above as my hospital jobs if I choose to let go of it. Also, if there programs in these MOSs that have programs attached to it?? For instance, 27D to FLEP to possibly JAG?

Any one reclassify into or out of these MOS’s, why? Am I missing out if I choose one or the other from promotions, harder to rank up, need specific qualifications, points, will I be more outside or inside of these jobs, etc?

I am current 36. I have 3 kids and a wife. Custody of 2. My wife and I are currently living separately though. My daughter is with her. Daughter is 1 and my boys are 10 and 11. Occupation is Industrial Maintenance . Temp service though. $29 a hr. Cleared 60k this year. I am looking to expand my knowledge through the Army National Guards. I would like the health benefits and benefits of the VA Loans. I am working with a recruiter now. My current employers insurance for the family is like $600 a week. I’d love to have the 12R MOS. I would take whatever I learn from it and start my own business doing electrical work. I’d be away for 4+ months. If I was able to score high enough on ASVAB. Studying for it now. Needing to commit more to working out and doing some cardio. Go back and forth if this is the right move. I have a dream but many obstacles to overcome . I know time is running out though. Any opinions are welcome

Please let me know if this is the wrong place to ask this. I was homeschooled for my entire k through 12 education. I did not get a GED and only have a homeschool “diploma” and “transcripts” from my parents as far as documentation goes. I’m currently a junior in college and intend to graduate with my bachelor’s of science in nursing. I would like to join military, most likely the Army, after graduation. Does anybody know if I will have trouble with this?

So i took a break in Service and im going to rejoin the army as an 11B. I was previously 19D and left as an E4. About how much time should i expect before i have the promotion points to qualify for blc/board. I already will make TIS requirements but to my knowledge my promotion points are reset. I’ve already completed initial meps re-entry, haven’t signed a contract yet cause i got kicked back for “mental health” even tho ive never been diagnosed or seen a psychiatrist or anything like that lol. I got a medications list proving im not on anything and my recruiter and commander are submitting my final packet next week and are telling me to start getting my shit packed/ready

I ship out next week as a 25H, I mainly picked the Army because I got to choose my job. I got a 70 on the ASVAB and didn't need any waivers. After hearing about what some of you guys say about the Air Force and how you would've rather been there, even when considering the options the Army gives you all, I'm really starting to get second thoughts.

It also sounds like my job will be disappointing. Is it worth the QOL sacrifice for the ability to choose? From what I hear it seems like I would prefer the AF culture and niceties and on top of that I don't feel that I'm ready to ship. Should I drop this contract and go AF?

Pretty much title? Every time I always ask, it's either a No. Well it's a uncertain, Well You need a waiver? Which one actually is it?

I want to join. I want to work out, get alot of physical training done and Practice for my asvab. I think Being in the Army would be valuable to my life and Not money wise.

I keep hearing people in the Army Reserve talk about going “deployment after deployment,” and I’m trying to figure out how true that actually is.
Is it really like that? Can you finish one deployment, come back, then find another unit to deploy with and just keep doing that back-to-back?
Also, I’ve heard a lot of National Guard guys say they’re trying to get deployments but that TOD kind of sucks. So what platform do Reservists actually use for this? I know 50% of the NG is people who want to get on deployment asap, why then just join reserves if is that easy ?
I’m signing a 12B contract in the Reserve, and I’d like to hear from people who have actually done this—not just opinions or rumors. How realistic is it? Do my MOS is actually good for this?
Does rank matter for getting these opportunities? Do you need to be at least an E-4, or can E-2/E-3s also volunteer and get picked up?
And is it possible to deploy right after OSUT, or is there usually a waiting period?
Just looking for real insight from people with experience. Can you actually do this ?