The Bang is in need of assistance (527 hits)
Category: PoliticsRating: 1.01 on 26 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Banga3386 (View user info) at 2006-09-28 02:28:22 EDT
I am in need of help in my situation:
I have been seriously looking into joining the Air Force, I have an appointment with a recruiter on Monday. My problem is this: Early this year I was hospitalized for 5 days for depression coupled with alcoholism. I was on antidepressants for a while afterwards as well as off and on when I was a young teen.
Admission of these facts (I'm pretty damned sure) will lead to disqualification of military entrance.
Also I have been seeing a councelor for a while and everything is alright. Basically I just tell her how my week has been going and I try to make her laugh. I want to tell her about the really dark and admittingly kind of creepy stuff but I know that as far as the Air Force is concerned, it will bite me in the ass. The things I speak of have never come close to affecting my daily or professional life. In fact the only time they matter is when I am doing (un)said acts.
My question is this: What do I say to the recruiter, or any official for that matter, when asked? I'm positive that eventually at least the hospitalization records will show up. Do I lie? Do I tell everything (save for the things I've never told anyone)? What kind of bullshit do I spin to them?
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Submitted by moneyshotforyou (user info) at 2006-09-28 10:15:11 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
None of those things will stop you from enlisting. The only thing that might happen is when you inprocess they may screen you through a military counseler who will say you are good to go.
I had an extra screening when I joined. I had my contract written to include Airborne and Ranger school so they were concerned with a knee injury I had in high school. I saw a specialist who asked me "How does if feel?" I said good and he stamped my papers.
You could not tell them anything. They may pick it out of your records, they may not. They really don't screen them that well. You will get a physical upon entry and they usually just go by that. They move entirely too many people through to take the time to be really thorough.
The Air Force is a good choice. Especially if you are a bit older. I was young when I joined and just wanted to blow shit up and fight wars. The Army and especially the special operations branch was good to me but I definately wore out in the first5-6 years. I know a lot of guys in the Air Force that are a little dissappointed at the speed which they gain rank as compared to the Army but their lives are much better. The Air Force definately tops the military for treating their people right.
Good Luck
Submitted by Biotch (user info) at 2006-09-28 09:34:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
My dad is getting to retire from the Air Force. Don't lie to the recruiter because if they find out, you are screwed. Get your counsler to write a letter that you are stable and cleared of all past depression. You may need to get an actual psyciatrist to do it, but that shouldn't stop you from getting in. The recruiter really wants you to join, so he should be able to help you with that.
Submitted by retrospect (user info) at 2006-09-28 08:42:48 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
how old are you?
Submitted by BLITZKREIG_BOB (user info) at 2006-09-28 08:35:20 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Tell your recruiter the truth. He or she will coach you on what to say and do if you really want to get in.
Submitted by Gingerly (user info) at 2006-09-28 08:26:24 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Banga,
Something that hasn't been said here yet but needs to be: in order for your counselling to work at ALL, you need to take any filter OFF what you're telling your doc.
Not being forward and truthful with your therapist is a sure way to totally skirt the benefits of psychotherapy. If you're at all worried that what you say to your shrink will get back to the folks in the Air Force, forget about it.
Unless there were a court order issued or unless you posed a significant threat to yourself or others, the information you give your counselor is legally ENSCONSCED in client/patient confidentiality.
My heart goes out to the depressed.
Good luck.
Submitted by TheSpook (user info) at 2006-09-28 07:07:47 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
You don't need to say anything. They'll take anyone with a pulse.
Submitted by Danger_Ranger (user info) at 2006-09-28 06:11:43 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I'm only trying to help.
Submitted by Danger_Ranger (user info) at 2006-09-28 06:08:47 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Tell him you feel the need for speed, then roll up a fiver.
Submitted by Cracked_out_cali (user info) at 2006-09-28 05:54:20 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
First off... don't lie. You can try "stretching the truth" with the recruiter and maybe even the people at MEPS. But once you get in the Air Force, you're gonna get a security clearence. It can be Classified, Secret or Top Secret.
Depending on your job, they may or may not look too far. I have Top Secret security clearence. Before I got it, the government literally interviewed people from back home. Friends, neighbors, teachers, etc. They knew that I got in trouble in the 7th grade for looking at porn on the school computer.
But if you are, say, a cook... they wont be as in depth. I would say just tell the truth. If you don't have a felony, it shouldnt make a difference.
Email me at Pughtrid75.at.hotmail.com if you have any other questions.
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2006-09-28 05:14:06 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Dude we don't need no fancy aeromaplane. Alls we needs is to tie you too a real tall tree and spin you round an then me's an mine can just pop off sum caps at ya. Whens we lets ya down ya'll feel like a champion!
Seriously though, join the navy. You'll be able to have sex with all the ugly men and women you can eat. You'll totally die of AIDS but you'll die the good way.
Okay, okay, enough piss taking. You can join the airforce with having suffered mild depression. Worst they can do is make you ground crew. Incidently I don't think you'll find what you're looking for in a barracks.
Submitted by rad1101 (user info) at 2006-09-28 04:40:07 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
dude, move to vegas and bartend
Submitted by Beano312003 (user info) at 2006-09-28 04:23:49 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Tell the truth, you sound like you have the right mindset you joining up.
Submitted by Banga3386 (user info) at 2006-09-28 04:22:23 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
None. I have my own patriotic reasons but I have no direction or plan in life.
Submitted by Merlina (user info) at 2006-09-28 03:59:48 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
is there any other career path in mind?
Submitted by rad1101 (user info) at 2006-09-28 03:52:04 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
simple
dont join
or do whatever
?
Submitted by AsshOly (user info) at 2006-09-28 03:33:34 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
what white space
Submitted by coley (user info) at 2006-09-28 03:27:34 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
WTF?? I did NOT put that white space there...WTF WTF WTF
Submitted by coley (user info) at 2006-09-28 03:27:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
heymaltesegofuckyourselfwithmyspacebar..that'swhyIdonthaveoneIshoveditupYOURASS!!!
Submitted by Maltese (user info) at 2006-09-28 03:14:20 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by coley (user info) at 2006-09-28 03:05:09 (#)
Ranking: 1
I wasjust goingto saythat
====
heycoley fixyour fuckingspacebar
Submitted by coley (user info) at 2006-09-28 03:05:09 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Submitted by Maltese (user info) at 2006-09-28 02:46:15 (#)
Ranking: 2
AAAAAHAHAHA on the Most Recently Reviewed it shows this post as "The Bang in need of ass..."
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I wasjust goingto saythat
Submitted by UnderOathMeal (user info) at 2006-09-28 02:59:35 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Maltese (user info) at 2006-09-28 02:46:15 (#)
Ranking: 2
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my god youre irritating
Submitted by Maltese (user info) at 2006-09-28 02:46:15 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
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Submitted by maiorano84 (user info) at 2006-09-28 02:44:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Any hospitalization records for any reason will be looked into thoroughly. I know this because I applied. You MIGHT be able to spin it a certain way, but your chances are slim since you're still seeing a counselor.
Also, you need to be in tip-top physical condition to join. They'll look for any excuse to disqualify you.
Submitted by paint_it_black (user info) at 2006-09-28 02:40:00 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Act all embarrased and say the first bitch you ever loves slept with your best friend and that led you into a binge drinking week that ended in hospitalisation. Never felt depressed before and you haven't since.
I will feel safe knowing that you are protrecting US interests
Submitted by Phallic_Cymbals (user info) at 2006-09-28 02:34:23 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by coley (user info) at 2006-09-28 02:30:54 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
just don't go into the air force.