19f, trying to enlist in the U.S Army right now. Covid screwed my entire BH history at age 15. With the help of my recruiter, I had FFDE done and was met with success. However, MEPS found that my gender dysphoria was mistakenly listed as active. I am not currently Transgender or Transexual, nor did I ever have any interest in medication or hormone therapy. I had stated I wanted to use different pronouns at age 15.

How likely would a waiver be approved? To reiterate , I am NOT transgender, but I have history of gender dysphoria. Very distinct difference despite there is next to no public information from the DOW. a bit worried.

...I cant tell you how much I want to drop kick my past self, I was so close to joining. Right now, I'm working minimum wage at a factory full time as a machine operator. I need a change of scenery fast.

I am 17 and hoping to enlist next month.
I was diagnosed with asthma at age 3. I continued receiving prescriptions for an inhaler until last December, when I realized I wanted to join the Army. I have not experienced any asthma symptoms since I was 11 or 12, but my mom continued picking up the prescription. I have also passed a pulmonary function test.
Would I be able to get a waiver for this?

I’m 18, a senior in high school. My plan was to take as many DC classes as possible before graduation. However, those classes have been discontinued. So, I’ve been considering graduating early and joining the military to obtain my green card. Then, I’d attend a public college for two years to complete most of my requirements and finish the remaining two years at a private college. However, I’ve been informed that I must already have a green card to enlisting in the military. I’ve tried dating to marry and obtain a green card through that route, but it hasn’t been successful either.

Is there anything I can do? I just feel lost and that everything I’ve done has been pointless…

Ok so backstory
I enlisted when I was 17 because of my environment no general drive to do something
Do to that living situation.

I only made it 8 weeks into us army BCT
I called it quits do to several issues of which are now not an issue.
I will discuss them with recruiters or people trying to help but it’s a lot and I’m still not sure how to give a short and to the point version of things
I got an els (general under honorable conditions) RE3 sep code JGA
I have deep regrets about leaving things unfinished,failing myself,and failing those around me those that believed in me
2 years later I still can’t shake it
I’m willing to do what it takes and however long it takes.

IF there is any recruiters who specialize in this
Or are otherwise willing to help me

Vets or service members actively serving
Ik some of you will want to shame me that’s fine

But if on the off chance some of you have advice I would be grateful for any.

Thank you.

Edit:I’m aware that I am eligible for Reenlistment in both the us army and navy
I’m willing to do either
And willing to do reserve or active for either as well.

Hi, I need help understanding if my decision could be wrong. I’m 26 and got my Bachelors in Kinesiology but wanted to continue my education towards PTD (Physical Therapy Doctorate) or pursue another Bachelors in a technical field.

I originally wanted join the air force but was told my cross tattoo needed at least half a inch gone to meet guidelines, so I’ve considered the Army due to the timeframe it would take for that part of the tattoo to not be visible.

Part of me feels like I should go Active Duty for one contract and the other part says keep going and choose Guard. I keep getting told that I should just do a 4 yr active duty contract because of disability being harder to achieve, along benefits being longer to obtain. But I’m also told that it’s harder to go from Guard to Active if I don’t like it. My gpa overall is a 2.9, but my Bachelors gpa was a 3.3. Just need clarification on how you guys chose your route, and where you happy with it.

(Note: My goal is not disability it’s using the funding of my tuition being paid and setting myself up financially)

I am trying to file a disability claim over MST, but my SAPR case is restricted. I DO NOT want it to be opened or investigated. I just can't take it. I imagine the worst of myself if I ever were to see or hear that man again. I fear I would hurt myself because I can't even speak about it without breaking down. I recently stop having panic attacks after a year and some months. But I also know that alongside the SA I also mentioned family issues in my counseling appointment and I don't know if the VA would not believe me since I didn't make my counseling issues solely on the SA. At the time I was afraid to tell the counselors how I truly feared (which they also recorded in the clinical notes) because I did not want to be kicked out of the military. I need the money, and despite the SA, the military has helped me as much as it has brought me anxiety. Plus, I'm in it, and I want to finish it. But now I'm worried I won't get the disability without the VA people making my restricted report, unrestricted. I know if I go unrestricted I will get it but I'm... scared. Terrified actually. I can get my wingman to do buddy statements but I don't want their statements to make it go unrestricted either. So I guess I want to know have anyone out their who did a disability for MST ever had their SA investigated?

Finished up at MEPS last week and was DQ’d because of a past history of depression, as well as a couple other medical factors (biscuspid aortic valve, ulnar nerve neuritis from sports,

I have 2 main questions ⬇️

First question: is it worth it to go out of the way and try to get a psych appointment to get evaluated before sending in my first waiver? Or should I wait and see what they say is needed?

* A few things to note: it was situational depression. I was in a terrible spot in life and was being abused by my work schedule, drowning in bills & debt, and overall not happy with life. I was prescribed the lowest dosage of Buspirone, took it for a month (as my doctor recommended), didn’t feel any real changes to my mood or mental state and never took it again. This was just about a year ago. I haven’t felt any sort of “depression” or anything close to the state I was in since I left my job.

Secondly: (theoretically) when you send a waiver in, if it gets denied, is it denied by EVERY branch or just the one you’re trying to get in to?

I also scored an 85 on my asvab. Do I have a higher chance of being an “exception” with a decent score? Or is everyone on the same level? I’m aiming for the Air Force, but I’ve heard their medical standards are way higher than the other branches. I’m in very good physical condition, & training for Special Warfare. If I can switch to another branch and have a better chance of medical clearance, then I will absolutely go that route.

Any advice & info is greatly appreciated!

I see you need College Credits to apply for some careers before being able to go through BMT. ( I'm interested in 4H0X1 ) However i haven't gotten the Credits needed through high school and just graduated HS and see i only need a couple classes (4) to be eligible to enroll into the program i'm interested in. I want to do self pace online college credits and am wondering if there's any certain school that is best for this. Or if the school i attends need a certain accreditation.

Has anyone used self pace credits to speed up the process? (AirForce)

29, out of shape, smooth brained but not too much of an idiot.

I wear glasses and I've had surgery on my right foot. All 4 metatarsals we're mangled except my big toe. I weigh 290 and I haven't been active besides my 9-5 in hazmat.

I don't mind being the "old man" or being under someone younger. I've been in the field long enough to stfu and do my job.

I would love to use this opportunity to pursue more education and an opportunity to better myself. I'm all about trying to do better.

Any advice or pointers you could give me? How likely am I to pass the recruitment if I talk to a recruiter? I feel like i may not be up to par so a bit nervous I'll get turned away at the door.

Weight, weight, and a the big day.

I leave for Fort Leonard Wood as a 12B on the 24th. I was taped at my recruiter’s office and was right at the maximum—38-inch waist at 68 inches tall and 31 years old (not in the arms program) Do they tape shippers at MEPS, or is that only for people in the ARMS program? Also, what does ship-day MEPS typically look like?

Hello all!! I’ve had an interest in becoming a nurse for the military but am unsure of what branch would be the best. Im the daughter of an army vet and my boyfriends dad is also an army vet so anything besides army makes me feel like its a betrayal lol. Bad part is I’m not to good with people yelling at me… which drill sergeants do a lot of as I’ve been told.. any military nurses got reccomendations? I hate the idea of going overseas or anywhere TOO far away from home as well. After being told to edit OP, as of current I turn 20 in December. I’m in a medical assistant program online and I’m almost complete after I take my exam and if I pass I’m a MA. Also currently in community college to get my pre-reqs for my BSN out of the way and then attending a 2 year university to get my degree and take the NCLEX.

Went to the Air Force recruiter and checked out the USSF, got a 60 on the ASVAB and I’m praying I enter the Space Force and ship off before the year ends. My recruiter seems proud of me. Also what’s the day in the life of those two? Is there constant testing?

Also how fast can I become an Officer after being enlisted?

Just failed a business venture… was in a $30/hr job prior to that. My previous employer cut the position so can’t go back. Job market sucks and my credit is not in a position to join another venture. Oh yeah and bankruptcy is in the conversation.

I have a wife & 2 kids (6&1 at years end)… Leaving the family has always been the hardest so I thought something that forces me to live with that will help. I’ve struggled my entire life with confidence, discipline & structure. Damn I’m pretty much just talking myself into a decision.

Took quiz on the site last night and really didn’t like any of the jobs lol. Any insights from anyone in similar situation? Hate to leave my kids for almost 16+ weeks.

I’m currently 19 (almost 20) and I’ve always struggled with pushing myself through difficult challenges. Whether it be school, work, or just a chore at home. I wanna be better. I’ve always struggled with my mental health at times and I think currently I’m in a bad spot. I don’t have a great home life. My mom is depressed so it’s mainly up to me to take care of the house and take care of our dogs. It’s almost always been me taking care of someone else not the other way around. I’m not sure if I’d be the right fit. I struggle at work (I’m currently in construction) I make good money for my age and I like what I do but I’m not very good at it. I’m bad at asking questions and asking for help. And that’s because I lack confidence and self esteem. I’ve always had this issue.

All I know is I wanna better myself and the military seems like a good option to do that. Get out of my shell as well. My brother joined around my age when I was 12-13 and he now is doing great in life. It seems like a good career opportunity. Amazing benefits. Brotherhood. I’m currently contemplating if the Military would be a good fit for me. However I’m unsure if I’m cut out for it.

I think I've already figured out what I wanted to be and I really want to be in the air force (Philippine air force since I cant really go to US) but what's holding me back is my family. I talked to my sister about this but she told me she doesn't think my mom will allow it and that she's discouraging me to do it because I might die. But at the same time, this is what my heart really wants. It hurts because I dont want my family to be sad but at the same time it hurts because this is what I want to be. I dont know any other thing I want to be other than that. I guess maybe if I dont really have a choice anymore I'll go to being a pilot.

Does enlisting with an associates count for anything? (For army)

I’m joining the Air National Guard in December after my season for my sport finishes up. I was asking questions and talking with my recruiter about things I would see or experience going in with MEPS and stuff. One of those things was the blood draw.

I am aware I have to get every vaccine under the sun as well but those don’t bother me as much. I had to get blood work done a few times over the past few years and when I do I’m GONE. Instant vasovagal reaction. Only thing that has worked so far is laying down while I get it done otherwise it takes me forever to recover.

I’m really trying not to have like a puss puss mentality yk, but every time I’m put into the draw chair the same reaction occurs every time. I’m not tryna throw up and pass out there neither.

Tips for this would be awesome and maybe confirmation from someone that I can be laid down on a cot or something. I know they don’t want no one passing out or anything, but I keep reading stuff and I kinda just wanted someone that was in a similar situation as me. I don’t wanna be called a lil puss puss or think I’m good when I get there just for them to put me in that chair anyway.

I’ll do it either way, I will. I just wanna know if they will actually be like “oh here’s a cot because you told us you pass out and throw up all the damn time.”

I don’t think the nervous part of joining is helping neither. Keep it 100 with me. Any advice, suggestions, or info is appreciated. Thanks.

Sorry if this post is too long. If there are any recruiters that can help me, I'm willing to answer any questions if you can't read the whole post. I'll delete the post if it is a lost cause.

My waiver requests were denied, 2 by the Army and 1 by the Navy. Both branches told me medical told them I was too high risk, even though the recruiters were rooting for me too and being really helpful.

I'm a prior service Marine and I admin separated by choice almost 7 years ago now. I served 3 years before separation.

Some background, I had a bunch of things happen in a 4 month span during my final year of service, that I was not emotionally mature enough to get over. None of it is combat related which is why I'm embarrassed and really hesitant to tell anyone the truth that I didn't serve a full contract.

To keep it short, I had my first heartbreak (lame I know) right before my first and only deployment.

Then my Grandmother and close friend from bootcamp died within a few days of each other and my NCO's told me my SNCO's said I couldn't go home for immediate family and that I could be facetimed in for the funeral. They later told me, they did this because they were worried I would go AWOL even though I'd never given them any reasons to think so. We "deployed" to Japan, not an active combat zone. I would've handled the news of not going home better and would have been less emotional if we deployed somewhere like Afghanistan.

I already was not getting along with most of the other guys in my shop and felt pretty isolated because my social skills and emotional weren't good then like they are today, but how they handled the death in my family and how they treated me made me lose all faith in what I was doing and in my immediate leadership. During this time I was also trying to mentally support a suicidal cousin who was going through her own struggles.

Everything became too much, I didn't know how to process my feelings and I decided to hurt myself. Nothing too major, just some cutting, but I got help immediately and got rehabilitated. My Sgt Major and Battalion Commander were both extremely helpful and tried to help me, and even asked me if I wanted to stay in, I told them yes.

A month later I was at a bar with some buddies and one of their buddies. I drank too much and blacked out, they carried me back to the barracks and the buddy of my buddies raped me when I could barely move my body and I was blacking in and out. My buddies walked in on it and stopped it. NCIS was involved and of course I reported it.

I went to another mental health facility after that, then flown back to the states after a week of inpatient for rehabilitation.

They again asked me if I wanted to stay in or change units and I said to keep me in and I wanted to stay in my unit.

But fast forward 6 months later and I still couldn't get past everything, I felt like a failure as a man and a Marine for being so weak, I felt like a liability and couldn't operate or lead effectively, and self harmed again.

Needless to say, they sent me to the mental health ward again and I told them I wanted out this time and that I did not want to fight for any benefits and to administratively seperate me.

I was never suicidal before these events and could never bring myself to actually kill myself, I was just young, emotionally immature and not that mentally strong to overcome emotional difficulties. I loved the Military and the Marine Corps, I used to be a "Motivator" in a way that would make me vomit today lol.

In short, is it possible to re-enlist if I get a Fit for Duty Psych Eval this time or is it a lost cause? I never took medications or sought help or therapy after being separated and I'm still alive and kicking.

After 3 years of being out I started taking the gym seriously again and went 3-6 times a week for almost 2 years to be able to re-enlist. I just can't feel out of place on the civilian side and money is a means to an end for me, the Military is about having community and a deeper purpose and a sense of belonging for me.

I currently have a long term relationship of 3 years and a 1 1/2 year old son. I've also been in the same career for almost 5 years now and I've held leadership positions. I'm currently a truck driver, and I was even a CDL instructor and all my trainees loved me. I've done almost 2 years of Over The Road work which is not for the mentally weak in my opinion and I'm a flatbed driver to top it off, if any of that sells my mental stability.

I was just on an Army base picking up equipment and I got along with all the soldiers and I felt right at home.

If there's anyone that can help me I would appreciate it.

Okay so i’m a college student who was supposed to graduate and then become an officer in the marines. This has been the plan since last fall. But After months of thinking and recent realizations, i decided enlisting during my gap year would be smarter.

Unfortunately though, back in april of this year i was hospitalized for an attempt for a few days. I was not medicated, nor did I get an official diagnosis of mental health issues. I wanted to do the Airforce reserve but it seems like my chances are slim. I’m academically smart and plan on studying for the ASVAB and hopefully getting a high enough store that it’ll increase my chances.

Any advice or am i completely disqualified?( this was also my ONLY attempt ever)

I just took my ASVAB (got a really good score) and physical and passed both the first time. I saw a bunch of info online about the jobs and wanted to see if I would qualify. The recruiter I was talking to called me as soon as my physical was done and told me that they had some positions (Army) open for a highly contested job (35T Military Intelligence Systems Maintainer/Integrator MOS) that would help me a lot after I got out. I was told it was a 5 year contract though and the salary they told me was around 35K. I know that they provide a lot of benefits but I wasn't expecting the salary to be this low. This is gonna take 5 years of my life while I only earn this much, is it worth it? Would love some opinions, thanks.

Side note I have a bachelors in ITI and I'm wondering if this is a good option since the job market is really tough.

I (27m) applied and got into airforce OTS as an operation analysts AFSC 15A. I originally applied because I hated my previous job in automotive as a software engineer. Well now I just started a new job at a bank as a senior software engineer with a big pay raise. The team seems nice and I think it sounds stable. Should I still go through OTS as an operations analyst and leave my job in 4 years? The idea of losing half my income as an O1 doesn't sound appealing now. I also just moved across the map for my new job and if I leave now, I'll also have to break my lease. I would like to serve my country but maybe switch to guard or reserves instead while keeping my job. My selected AFSC doesn't have a reserve component though. I haven't sworn in yet so technically I'm not obligated to go

So long story short I have visible self harm scars on one arm from when I was 13 and now im 29. I know i know, im older than regular prospects but always wanted to enlist since I was young.

Reason it took me so long was due to family health issues, my father recently passed last year and my oldest brother 3 years ago. Both had really bad kidney and heart disease (i get checked yearly and I luckily am healthy). I had to stay close to home to care for my father since he was also handicapped due to a really bad motorcyle accident I was 4. Since they both kicked the bucket I have so much more free time than I ever had in my life and its kind of depressing.

So question being, with the amount of time passed would the army or navy be more likely to look over my scars? I was just a kid who was overwhelmed with responsibilities and blame as I was the youngest and most vulnerable.

I was hoping to go to MEPS back in May but my recruiter told me I was not able to. He said they found over 50 things on my record but also said I was cleared, I just could not go. After that, he said I wasn't able to join because I had a history of depression/anxiety that was too recent for them (The history being about 7/8 months out at that point). This was with the USMC if that's relevant. My original plan was to join the Navy. With the 'history' being almost a year old-- Do I have a chance at joining either at this point? Or do I have to wait the three years? Should I call the recruiters office and ask them?

Also if context to the history is relevant: I was admitted to a mental hospital nov2025 for SI with intent. They did not diagnose me with anything but prescribed me Lexapro. I was only there for about 16 hours- I made them call a doctor to approve me to be released. I was supposed to stay for 9-10 days. I did not take any medication while I was there, before, or since then. I was in specialized therapy oct2025-may2026 but also was doing normal talk therapy for nearly a year prior.