Can a Schizophrenic join the U.S. Military?

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I know a teenager with that diagnosis & he's wanting to enlist.

I know right now it's extraordinarily difficult to join (another teen I know was rejected for being 1 pound overweight & another for....get this: GINGIVITIS!) I know the econmy sucks so much that many kids are just joining for a job so they've raised some high bars. I'm pretty sure even when all this relaxes away the military still won't accept a Schizophenic.

Does anyone here know this for a fact?

Mental illness usually disqualifies you on the spot. So does ADHD and yes Aspergers. The days when they were accepting gangsters from LA to fill quotas is over.

I would think anything that requires medication without which you become a liability or even a danger to yourself or squad mates would disqualify you. Gingivitis is weird though!

Bad idea. Army training can trigger schizophrenia in those at genetic risk. I'd hate to see what it does to someone who already has it.

Seems like you would have to be crazy to want to enlist Catch-22

Not crazy, just desperate. Or patriotic. Or adventurous and foolhardy.

If your teeth start falling out in the middle of field maneuvers (or a real battle), then you become a liability, and are no longer an asset.

Yes,you can no longer bite the enemy.

DH spent a LOOOONG time in the U.S. Navy & it's his thought that the recruiters are LOOKING for a reason....ANY reason-to reject the average teenager today. They can afford to be snobby--their goals are much lower so they can raise their standards accordingly.

Severe, untreated gingivitis can cause systemic damage to your organs.

As far as I know, this kid had the average Gingivitis that MOST Americans have (ya' know--remember to brush their teeth a few times a week & only go to the dentist when they are in pain)

ADHD does not automatically disqualify one from the service.

"Under the new standards, ADD/ADHD is disqualifying only if the applicant has been treated with ADD/ADHD medication within the previous year and/or they display signs of ADD/ADHD. For applicants with a previous history of ADD/ADHD who have been off medication for more than one year, and they do no demonstrate significant impulsivity or inattention during MEPS processing, the MEPS examining official may find them qualified for military service without submission of a waiver.

Records review is still required. Any history of being evaluated or treated for ADD/ADHD must be documented. As a minimum, all treatment (if any) within the previous three years must be submitted to MEPS, in advance, as part of the medical pre-screening. Full medical records are required if the applicant was ever treated for ADD or ADHD with any medication other than Ritalin, Adderal, or Dexedrine, or if there were any additional psychiatric symptoms, such as, but not limited to, depression.

MEPS may require school transcripts to demonstrate acceptable academic performance for the year without medication. If treatment for ADD/ADHD occurred throughout the school environment, but wasn’t stopped until after the applicant left school, there is still the possibility of waiver consideration."

ADHD does not automatically disqualify one from the service.

"Under the new standards, ADD/ADHD is disqualifying only if the applicant has been treated with ADD/ADHD medication within the previous year and/or they display signs of ADD/ADHD. For applicants with a previous history of ADD/ADHD who have been off medication for more than one year, and they do no demonstrate significant impulsivity or inattention during MEPS processing, the MEPS examining official may find them qualified for military service without submission of a waiver.

Records review is still required. Any history of being evaluated or treated for ADD/ADHD must be documented. As a minimum, all treatment (if any) within the previous three years must be submitted to MEPS, in advance, as part of the medical pre-screening. Full medical records are required if the applicant was ever treated for ADD or ADHD with any medication other than Ritalin, Adderal, or Dexedrine, or if there were any additional psychiatric symptoms, such as, but not limited to, depression.

MEPS may require school transcripts to demonstrate acceptable academic performance for the year without medication. If treatment for ADD/ADHD occurred throughout the school environment, but wasn’t stopped until after the applicant left school, there is still the possibility of waiver consideration."

So if you had ADHD as a kid and outgrew it, you could qualify?

I wouldn't think that it's a very good idea for a schizophrenic to join the military.

You can join...

IF you are diagnosed... but DON'T need medication. Check with your local recruiter... BUT BE HONEST...