Anyone currently serving or has served in the military?

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I apologize for bringing up a (relatively) old topic, but I am currently serving in the military, the Navy to be more specific. I am currently an E-5 (PO2) and am eligible for E-6 (PO1). I did not even know I had a specific problem until I was already an operational PO2 working on a Nuclear power plant on a submarine. I, unfortunately, had somewhat of a meltdown and was diagnosed with OCD and Depression, both stress/environmentally caused. I no longer believe that to be the case (here I am), rather, I think that i have just learned to cope with those issues on a normal, day-to-day basis in the military.

I am still serving, and am eligible for reenlistment, so a diagnosis is NOT the end of a career. I had to switch specialties (I'm now an Aircraft Electronics Technician, currently stationed with the Marines), but other than that no real black marks. The key to staying on course for the military is HOW you deal with your issues, and if you can suppress them to the point that they do not interfere with your job. I do have difficulty dealing with people, particularly superiors. My issue is that if I do not agree with their policies and rules, and tend to be a little vocal about it after they irritate me enough. I fixed that by becoming the boss, but that had it's own drawbacks. However, in the technical postings that I have had, I have learned more patience and people skills over time, through neccesity. I refused to let my issues force me out of the military. I had signed a contract, and I would finish it out, no matter what it took. This was actually a quite important decision, as I was offered an Honorable Discharge for the diagnosis that I did recieve. However, through pushing through I was able to be quite succesful at my last post, taking charge of several operations by outperforming senior, higher-ranking personnel.

I guess the key I have to say is this: Your experiences in the military would be radically different from anyone else's around you. Going into it, and knowing that those people will have your back no matter how much you don't understand them, helps. Not everyone always will help you, but there are always those who will step up to help a shipmate in their time of need. There will, of course, be those who will tear you down, and those will become more common in the NCO ranks, but by then you should know what to look for. Use your gifts to their fullest, and more often than not your SNCO or DivO will put you in a position that uses them to the best of your ability.

I used that philosophy, and using it I made E-5 in just over 2 years, and am on track with making E-6 in a timely manner (6 years or so). Best of luck to all those either currently serving or thinking about serving.

Thomas

I've been in the army as a field artillery officer for a little over 2 years now and I can't say that it's been very fun. I was finally diagnosed with AS at my officer basic course (spatial issues mostly, I can navigate fine with a map and compass, but can't remember directions and routes in urban areas to save my life) and after the army decided not to transfer me to another branch at that point, I informed my superiors at my current assignment about the diagnosis just as an honesty issue and I've been pretty much treated like an outcast ever since. I lost my platoon after only a month, to include no time in the field, without having a chance to prove myself and I've been doing random admin. jobs for the last year or so. The local doctors confirmed the diagnosis and issued me a permanent profile (basically says what I can and can't do, mostly they're for broken arms, injuries, that kind of thing) that started a medical board process to decide what should happen. After 5 months, the last board in the process discovered that I never should have been there to begin with because developmental disorders don't fall within their responsibility... So, now it's up to my commander to decide what to do (go through administrative channels to transfer me or discharge me). While I definitely want to stay in, it's gotten to the point that one way or the other I just want out of this unit I am currently in. Hopefully I can transfer to a more specialized field. I'm thinking about trying to go through the legal education program and become a lawyer. We'll see. Good luck whatever you decide.