Not just those who saw combat, but those who hadn't as well. Top 10 Things You Should Know Before You Join the Military. Well.. Nobody knows how they would react in a dangerous situation, until they are in a dangerous situation.. The causes for rejection for appointment, enlistment, and induction are a history of such disorders (300) resulting in any or all of the below: My command knew, and I still went from E-1 to E-5 in just under 4 years. Joining the Army is all I've ever wanted, and I see some people saying you can join with it, and some say I can't. however im looking for people who have joined with it. Find answers now! Does anyone have any experience or insight into my dilemma? My command knew, and I still went from E-1 to E-5 in just under 4 years. Thanks for the reply, this helped. But I saw a lot of men get really screwed up mentally, ethically as well as physcially by military life. Neurotic, anxiety, mood, somatoform, dissociative, or factitious disorders. Atkinson, who’s suffered from anxiety, depression, chronic pain and alcoholism after ending his 25-year military career in the Canadian military, said he’d welcome that research. It's always been my dream to serve in the US Army. A person with a depressive disorder must be stable, without treatment or symptoms for a continuous 36 months, to be eligible to enlist. I know you can't join with these kinds of mental problems, but if I were to get off all of my medicines and keep my anxiety under control, would they let me join? Anxiety issues, either current or historical, or panic, agoraphobia, social phobia, simple phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorders, other acute reactions to stress, and post-traumatic stress are disqualifying for entry into the service. I feel like being in the military is a different experience that Ive always wanted to know. If you just want to serve you community there are plenty of ways to do it - peaceCorps, AmeriCorps, lots of local ways to volunteer or find a job that helps people. If you want to be tough learn Muay Thai or BJJ. Thank you for posting your advice request! I want to join the military (probably the Air Force) and I can do the fitness test and will have the educational requirements when I leave school but i scared of making friends and my school councillor said i have "social anxiety disorder"? It may keep you from picking certain careers, but you can definitely still join! So I will say it depends on you, why do you want to join military in first place and are you comfortable with being with a group in the military? Dont do anything like that. Head To Head Comparison of the Military Branches. The truth is, I'm constantly stressed; just pretty good at hiding it. However a few years back, I was diagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder and Panic Disorder, and now I'm taking Prozac and Serequel XR to keep my problems under control. I haven't got a disgnose and i hope its just nervousness. I'm currently 17 years old, and I plan on enlisting this summer. That is a great thing you want to do. Hi i m thinking anout enlisting in the army next year, but ive had some problems with anxiety. Looks like you're using new Reddit on an old browser. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns. how has it gone for you? My anxiety and depression are only focused on family and relationship issues, and it has never affected my ability to act as a soldier. Well I think you still can, social anxiety is different from something like generalized anxiety or depression which could hinder your chances for being admitted to the military. My chain is aware of this, and somehow I made it from E2 to E5 in just over 3 years. I was in the military. Joining the military with social anxiety? "I might die.. and I might kill" these are two absolute realities of serving in the military, and if you cannot say with certainty that you are willing for either to happen, then military service probably isn't the right choice. You exist in an environment of camaraderie, esprit-de-corps and the honor of serving a higher calling, but it's not without hidden dangers. What kind of struggles/ issues have you run into. My military experience is a little out of date, going back to 1969-70. Joining the military with anxiety? Also Im only 18 and I want to live the rest of my life, so enlisting would be like signing my life away and tbh Im not trying to die rn. Should I even still consider the military. Looks like you're using new Reddit on an old browser. Anxiety isn't grounds for dismissal from the military. WASHINGTON – People with a history of “self-mutilation,” bipolar disorder, depression and drug and alcohol abuse can now seek waivers to join the Army under an … Anxiety isn't grounds for dismissal from the military. I met with the recruiter for a couple hours and he had me fill out an application. ... Join. 3 D, I commend you on your desire to join the army and serve your country. Medical Question. When i meet new people or go out i tend to have cold hands and feet and my heart beats fast,but i am able to calm down and It eventually goes away After a few minutes. Im a bit slow at learning but Im not a retard, it just takes me a little longer to pick up on things than most but I can still do as good a job and like I said, at this point in my life, a have a solid amount of anxiety. The correct answer is: don't go into the military. I've only had a hand-full of panic attacks throughout my entire life. I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Advice Received Ive always thought about joining the military but I have anxiety and I dont think I could even build up the courage to enlist and even if I did and I passed the training or whatever and found myself in a fight or flight situation, I honestly dont know if Id fight or sit like a bitch and go into shock. And, I took those for like a year or two. I am in the military, and have been diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Depression. I have an anxiety disorder which is not classed as a mental ilness, its a behavioral thing like depression. The site may not work properly if you don't, If you do not update your browser, we suggest you visit, Press J to jump to the feed. I'm 100% with this guy. Now that I am 22 I am trying to aim toward my goal of becoming a police officer with the WA Police Force. Please do your best to respond to commenters, as they take the time and effort to read your post and give you advice. I am not diagnosed yet, but I saw a social worker for a couple months, and im supposed to be seeing a therapist next week. I have GAD like the commenter above me, and it doesn't affect my work performance at all - at least on the exterior. Much like forumjunkie said, when you go to a service academy, you got to serve in the military. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Cookies help us deliver our Services. I am seriously interested in joining the National Guard after graduation. But I do know that you shouldn't put yourself in that position unless you are 100% okay with the thought of it. The body will also react to anxiety that lacks an actual “cause.” But if you die it will be for bullshit. Joining the army with anxiety history? You know what I mean? Unsurprisingly, the U.S. military also has guidelines for individuals who have a history or current diagnosis of anxiety. If you're not willing to read the below then perhaps joining the military isn't right for you. As a rule, anxiety and depression are not desirable traits in military officers. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Anything more than experimentation may very well be a bar to enlistment. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. The separation from your family and loved ones and the trauma of war can also be the cause of great anxiety and mental stress. You could always join the reserves to get you into the basic training, and experience the military life.. and from there you can decide to quit or stay.. but still, you may be called upon to fight, and possibly lose your life. I was then diagnosed with anxiety as a senior in HS, and was prescribed between 100 and 200 milligrams of sertraline (Zoloft) since then (September-ish of 2018). Ive always thought about joining the military but I have anxiety and I dont think I could even build up the courage to enlist and even if I did and I passed the training or whatever and found myself in a fight or flight situation, I honestly dont know if Id fight or sit like a bitch and go into shock. This will give the commenter an Advice Point, which will show that the commenter is a helpful member of this subreddit. In most cases, a person who experimented with "non-hard" drugs in the past will be allowed to enlist. They want to hear back from you! Can you join military with social anxiety? I was “diagnosed” with anxiety when I was 15 but I’ve had anxiety for as long as I can remember. 1 Questions & Answers Place. From DoD Directive 6130.03 Medical Standards for Appointment, Enlistment, or Induction in the Military Services. Any history or current disorder of being dissociative or de-personalization are disqualifying. In 2014, I was a high school senior and considering joining the Air Force. "but will the military find out if I do" If there are no records of you having anxiety issues or anything like that, don't mention it. You can also find information below you may find helpful or answers your questions. I’m not entirely sure, but I can give you my experience. People with anxiety do as well there as in civilian jobs. For example, severe anxiety can prevent a person from going to work or engaging in meaningful activities with friends and family. This is Reddit's very own solution-hub. Go to MEPS, and give it a go. 1 decade ago. Worked my ass off to get there, but still. Generally, if you have a current diagnosis, you are prohibited from serving. You’ll die in a training exercise or in some foreign shithole that some politicians somehow got us screwed up in. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. The largest military subreddit on reddit. I believe that my anxiety and depression were caused by Iron Deficiency Anemia, because I meet the majority of the symptoms, but this is a self-diagnosis. I was diagnosed with social anxiety and depression while I was in the navy. Anxiety and Military Service Military service is a unique experience. Probably not, but there are plenty of MOS's that you can serve in that will fulfill you, and be ok with your anxiety. Worked my ass off to get there, but still. This is a place where you can ask for advice on many subjects. I'm 100% with this guy. I have struggled with attending a handful of interviews for various positions over my employment history due to my anxiety. Military Jobs at a Glance. The site may not work properly if you don't, If you do not update your browser, we suggest you visit, Press J to jump to the feed. The VA and VA Claims Insider have benefits available for veterans and active-duty military dealing with anxiety and depression. No. Anxiety becomes an “anxiety disorder” when it significantly interferes with common daily activities. The military isn’t that great. Will that stop me getting into the military? But it will be harder for you than for the typical recruit who seems to be fearless/reckless. I am going to post a link for you that may help you but also please do contact a recruiter and talk to him telling him up-front re your anxiety issues. Everybody has issues that they run into, and everyone needs advice every now and again. The military service will then make a determination as to whether or not your previous drug usage is a bar to service in that particular branch of the military. Sadly, you won’t be defending your country. I never understood how the reserves worked, so Ill do my research and give it some thought. You can respond to as many comments as you want, and we encourage it if they help you, even a little bit. If you do decide to do it, focus on choosing a rate/MOS/AFSC with a low op tempo, trust me. were you miserable through basic/boot camp. I used to stammer REALLY bad when I first joined, couldn't even say "present corporal" when my name was called. Will they make you an 11B? ASVAB Test Explained. For anxiety disorders (for example, panic disorder), a person cannot enter the armed services if they needed any inpatient care, or outpatient care for more than 12 months cumulatively. first off i know people will immediately say, if you have anxiety the military isnt for you. Can you join the British Army with an anxiety disorder? I believe in you. Memes that everyone can relate tohttps://youtu.be/oi2NPP3uOEAShare your own stories in the comments section below! I was diagnosed with social anxiety and depression while I was in the navy. I still stammer sometimes but it's pretty rare, getting yelled at cured me. If a commenter provides advice that is helpful, please respond to the comment with the word "helped" anywhere in your comment. The largest military subreddit on reddit. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. From Army 40-501 "Standards of Fitness", page 13: "2–28. Lets say they let you in and you become an F22 pilot, and now lets say you have an anxiety attack while flying over Texas, you could not only cost yourself your life but also put those on the ground in … But I havent had any problems with it for a long time. Number one, forget the crap these guys say below. I was recently diagnosed with a panic disorder (WITHOUT agoraphobia). Here are some shocking statistics regarding veterans and mental health: Around 20% of veterans who have served in Iraq in Afghanistan reportedly suffered from symptoms of anxiety or depression. Claim: Any history of antidepressant use disqualifies a person from the military and/or the draft. 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