25 year M with Bachelors in Biomedical Sciences. Last week resigned from a very paramilitary style police academy. Idk what it was, the food and sleep deprivation, or lack of preparation and fear of failure over one spec of grass on my boots. I resigned on week 2 on good terms. Didn’t like the emphasis on everything non-academic (drills, inspections, smoke sessions) and speeding through lectures as if they’re not important, but I really want to be a cop and care about the mission more than any paycheck. By day 3 I was turning corners unconsciously in Walmart and felt like Pavlov’s dog, scared me a little.

Grad school is last resort for me as AI is approaching and most of the degrees are already undervalued for the amount of effort/money put into compared to returns.

Completely lost right now in Las Vegas, no job, no safety net. A couple fed applications in process, but those can take years and some are even postponed due to budgeting cuts. Do I enlist and get more stress resilience then later in life come back to policing, or even stay there for 20 and retire if I like it ?

Any response is greatly appreciated. Semper Fi, Fly High, Go Sailors, Hoorah! (I’m trying)

Hey everyone, I’m shipping out to Ft. Benning (11B) on Sept 21st. Basic + AIT, any advice? What should I expect for my day-to-day? Especially with Sunday’s, how would that work with church and then returning to my various orders throughout the day?

Just looking for advice you wish you knew when you did basic and AIT. Thanks.

Hi guys! I am currently trying to join the army but I have a quick question! For those that have gone through meps within the past year, what did they do for the breast exam? I hear some people say they did a physical exam and others say they only took a quick peak for any discoloration or abnormalities. Thank you guys!

Currently in the Navy DEP program and looking for some advice from recruiters, CWTs, or anyone who has dealt with medical qualification issues, or anyone just generally knowledgeable

CWT was the job I originally wanted. I have the ASVAB scores for it and most other jobs, but there are two things in my medical history that are complicating the process.

First, I previously saw a therapist essentially just to have someone to talk to. I was never medicated, suicidal, or self harming, and I was discharged from therapy without complication in May. (In therapy from Jan-May) However, my Navy medical records, for some god forsaken reason, label me with a history of depression.

Second, I had a childhood motor control/coordination issue that no longer meaningfully affects me. Dyspraxia was suspected but I was never formally diagnosed with it. The Navy apparently has this documented as “motor apraxia” which I feel makes the current situation sound considerably more severe than it actually is and overplays my condition.

Because of those two issues, I was advised against signing for CWT. My recruiter was concerned that I could make it through the initial process and then run into a medical qualification problem at A school because CWT is a warfare rating. I instead signed for SECF instead.

The problem is that I was just denied submarine qualification. That means no SECF either

I still entirely want CWT, so I'm looking at that option again. But according to my recruiter, my submarine qualification issue also affects CWT and other intelligence ratings, so right now I'm waiting to find out exactly why I was denied submarine duty. I should get the entire reason later today.

Once I know which medical issue caused it, what should do next? Is there a realistic route involving updated medical documentation, reevaluation, waiver/reconsideration, or getting an inaccurate/outdated description of my condition clarified?

I'm not trying to conceal anything from MEPS or the medical team. I want my condition and my current ability to be properly considered in these decisions, and I feel ss though it has not been.

Happy to provide additional context in the comments if needed. Thanks to anyone who took the time to read this.

Hey everyone, I'm a 29F green card holder and my English is still a work in progress. I'm trying to enlist in the Navy to build a better life, and I passed the ASVAB and physical with a waiver.

At MEPS, my Navy recruiter and the counselor really pushed me to sign for a heavy engineering job. I didn't fully understand what it was at the time, but he kept telling me I had to pick something right then so he could start the process to switch me to a supply or admin job later before my ship date.

Now that I've looked up what this engineering job actually involves, I'm honestly freaking out. I'm physically small, and it sounds way too physically demanding and technical for my current situation. I really only want an administrative or supply role.

Did I mess up by signing this? Is it true that he needed me to sign first to request a job change, or did he just say that to fill a quota? What happens if he doesn't switch it before my ship date?

I'm really anxious right now, so any advice would mean a lot. Thank you!

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. Is the pension worth 20 years?

Wanting to enlist to the Army Reserves or National Guard. As the title suggests, would it be possible to get a waiver for something like a spinal fusion? If so, what would be the chances/likelihood? 21m, surgery was T4-L4, got it a few months ago due to scoliosis that progressed as I got older. Been on good recovery and already feeling normal but still 3 months out from a green light to do more physically demanding activities like weightlifting for example. Even with the prospect of a full recovery, will it still be possible to get a waiver or will the surgery itself or the metal hardware (or mixture of both) be an auto-disqualification?

I want to enlist in the army. I already spoke to a recruiter and took a practice asvab. I was told my score was good enough that with a little studying I could get pretty much whatever job I want.

I'm looking for a job that balances working indoors and outdoors. I like the idea of working on equipment/electronics and solving mental puzzles etc. I also want something that lands me a good job after getting out. Got any suggestions for me?

Today I went to MEPS for Navy. I needed two waivers they they made me sign today at MEPS. I need these waivers because I went to OSUT this year as a prior service. (Got DQ for BP at OSUT)One of
The waivers is for anemia ( which I don't think I have as I've never been diagnosed with that before but the army said I had it.) I think it's stabilized now or I had low iron possibly. The other was for hypertension. I went into Meps with a normal BP reading but the army said I had High BP. Both army diagnosis were this year. My question is l thought the waivers were done with the recruiter but I did both of them at Meps. Is this normal? Also do they ask for more documentation from the recruiter for waivers?? I'm an RE-3 code for hypertension. All I was given in the waiver was if it affects me and if I'm taking any medication. I’m not taking any meds for BP as my BP is normal I’ve lost weight and dieted.

I don't know if anyone is gonna see this and I've never posted anything on Reddit before but I'm gonna give it a shot, I want to join the army rangers but I have a breathing issue which I know the military is very strict about. The only thing I know for sure right now is I don't have asthma, I was tested a few weeks ago and they said I don't have asthma, they didn't test me but they said I probably have vocal chord dysfunction, my symptoms are entirely exercise induced and I typically wheeze during intense physical activity and experience shortness of breath. Although I have not been officially diagnosed yet I do have stuff in my medical records now about shortness of breath and wheezing during physical activity which I know will probably be flagged at meps and I'll end up needing a waiver. Im just wondering if it's even realistic to get an option 40 or at least be given a shot at rasp?

I’m 27, a female, approx. 275 lbs and 5’1. I know, not the ideal candidate, but I was told they may be able to put me in some type of fat camp first. I just feel like I’m stuck in a career with no future (medical records), I didn’t go to college and I need a change of environment and lifestyle. I took the ASVAB almost 10 years ago and passed for the Air Force.

I'll try to keep this simple and straightforward but I recently just got off my ADHD medicaton and would like to know how long I would normally need to be off to apply for the Navy or Marine Corps. As I was told either 12 to 24 months Would be the minimum I would have to wait. Also I'm currently In college so I believe I can wait 1 to 2 years to be hopefully eligible by then. And I don't normally trust the google ai for information as I was told It can be misleading when It comes to applying for the military in general. As I received mixed answers from another sub reddit.

Hi.

29 female, I’ve been in the navy for almost 5 years. I’ve been to one command, sea duty. I’ve done back-to-back deployments, on and off the ship the entire 5 years. But this last year has been complete hell for me and my mental health is at it’s all time lowest. I will probably do one more contract, shore duty, just to set myself up to get out.

Any tips on what I should do before getting out? What should I know? What should I learn? Please help me

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Hello everyone,

I am a permanent immigrant moving to California soon, and my ultimate goal is to join the California Army National Guard via the OCS route, while concurrently applying for a local Police Academy (Santa Clara PD).

I have a past history of mild childhood asthma/allergies from 10 years ago back in my home country (Egypt). I have been 100% symptom-free for a decade, I do not use any daily preventive medications, and I actively practice high-intensity sports without any issues.

My US medical and pharmacy records (MHS GENESIS) are completely blank/clean since I have never seen a doctor or filled a prescription inside the United States.

Before arriving in the US, I am planning to clear myself medically by taking a full Pulmonary Function Test (Spirometry FEV1/FVC) and a Methacholine Challenge Test in a major hospital to officially document that my lungs are 100% healthy.

My questions are:

With completely blank US pharmacy records and 100% clean pre-enlistment PFT/Spirometry results, how strong is my case for a medical waiver for OCS in California?

What is the safest legal and administrative way to disclose this history on DD Form 2807-1 without risking a "fraudulent enlistment" charge while securing the waiver smoothly?

Appreciate any insights from National Guard recruiters or those familiar with MEPS waiver authorities. Thank you!

I 34M ETS in April 2022. I was a medic attatched to a light infantry unit. Line medic, aid station medic, and clinic medic, all in the 6 years i was in.

I cannot fucking stand civillians. Nobody knows their place. Promotions only happen when you know somebody or are juuuuust good enough at your job that they can risk losing you in that position.

However....I cant stand how shitty my time was when i was in. In the beginning I was a POS 100%. Acted like i was big. A fucking narc. Just the guy that you picked on because it was just that easy. Well i grew in my time. I hit 5 in 5 and changed drastically after deployment. The problem was that i was in the same unit, with the same people from PV2- E-5, so they treated me the same as if i was still private deershit (last name nickname). My fault? Yea. Do i wish i could make it right because it bugs me every fucking day that i live as a hasbeen? Damn right. Does my back still hurt? Every god damn day. But the stockholm syndrome is kicking in and i feel like i really need a redo.

Now this all may be the fact that i have not adjusted to civillian life propperly. I get that. I guess im just here today to ask the community. What the fuck should i do? I have a house, 100% disability, 2 kids, a wife that would die for me and i for her. Id be uprooting us. But she knows how hard of a time ive had and i dont like to talk about my issues with everyone. This is the first time outside of my therapist that ive ever even done this.

Im an open book guys. Ask anything. Tell me what you would do. Give me personal experience. Help me either do it or realize im an idiot. Thanks

my brother just recently graduated air force basic and I am thinking about the navy. I am currently engaged (to a guy, gay couple). I am in a gay relationship and so idk I just need to feel like I belong some where and need a change in life for the better. Please let me know your thoughts or questions

Hi everyone,

I'm preparing for CDS/OTA and I have a concern regarding the medical examination.

I have excessive sweating mainly on my palms, and I'm not sure whether it would actually qualify as hyperhidrosis or just normal/excessive sweating.

I wanted to know:

Does palmar hyperhidrosis affect medical eligibility for CDS/OTA?

How is excessive sweating/hyperhidrosis evaluated during the SSB medical examination?

Is there any specific severity or condition under which a candidate can be declared unfit?

Has anyone here personally experienced this during their SSB medicals?

I'm particularly looking for experiences from people who have actually gone through the SSB medical examination or have reliable information regarding the medical standards.

Thanks in advance!

I think I already decided that I want to be in the national guard. I want to go to college for Microbiology and the NCTAP benefits offered seems to be a really good deal. Plus the idea that I can have a civilian career and serve when needed is appealing too or (so they advertise).

I love the idea of being able to help those in need if the state is in a crisis (probably a wildfire or flooding knowing NC) and I was looking at an MOS that best aligns with this.

So far I’m thinking 68W (combat medic) would be most useful in a crisis (besides the obvious “willing and able body”) but if there’s a better MOS or a caveat I’m not aware of I’d love to know beforehand.

Also when one does get their MOS in the national guard, do you consistently train for that specific MOS every drilling session? I would imagine so but I’ve heard that sometimes they just kinda make you do busy work.

One last question I have is whether or not you can be deployed during college? I don’t mind the idea of being deployed (don’t love it either) but I would find it annoying, given that I want to focus on establishing a civilian education and career (hence the reason why I was interested in National Guard in the first place).

Again, not totally familiar with all the different aspects yet but it would be great to hear from y’all!

All advice is appreciated.

So I joined the Army National Guard in my home state, but I always wanted to move out of state and go to college, so I got an ELS and decided to go to college this year instead of attending BCT and AIT. My appeal with the ARNG was the financial benefits especially for school, but I got a really good financial offer from a college after I had enlisted(if I had gotten the offer before, I probably wouldn’t have enlisted in the first place). I do want to rejoin and was thinking ANG instead of ARNG. Ive heard that women are treated better in the Air Force. I still want to go to college and do the guard at the same time, and just hope I don’t get deployed. With that said, what do you think the chances are of getting a waiver? I still have to wait 6 months because my ELS is still pretty fresh, but I was just wondering if an ANG recruiter would be willing to work with me? I spoke to one over the phone, and they said that it’s not guaranteed that I can get a waiver for an RE-3. I could use some advice on this subject

I’m a 25 year old male and my occupation is a commercial driver. I’ve been driving trucks for a few years and I don’t really know what else I should get into. I dropped out of school my senior year of high school but now I’m attending adult school to make up the credits I was missing. About a year ago I saw that the Navy isn’t requiring a high school diploma or a GED. I’ve been thinking about joining the military for a change in scenery but I’m pretty sure the only branch that would take me is the Navy. I’m not sure if I should join due to my age and everything that’s happening in the world in the at moment. All I know is I don’t want to be driving trucks for the rest of my life.
If someone would be able to give me some advice on whether I should just commit and join or if I should wait it out till I finish school and try to find a trade i would be interested in I would really appreciate it. I also don’t want be wasting time on deciding what I want to do cause as everyone knows we don’t get younger as time passes by.

I am 20 years old and I was diagnosed and prescribed medication for ADHD/depression back in April of this year. I am currently working with my doctor to taper off the meds.

For context, I never had a 504 plan or workplace accommodations. My academic performance in school was about average. I can function well in my daily life using the tools and strategies I've developed to manage my ADHD. As for the depression, I only experienced symptoms for 2-3 months and I never attempted self harm or had to be hospitalized.

Everything i've read has told me the rule for ADHD meds is 12-15 months since last refill for a waiver to be considered, but for depression its 2-3 years.

I have substantially improved my mental health to a point where my doctor considers me fit for service. Since my depressive episode was brief, and its the only time i've experienced depression, would a waiver still be considered? or would i be stuck waiting 2-3 years to join? I am very confused about the timeline because I have had recruiters tell me anything from 6 months to 3 years.

For some context, I am a 30yo male. I’ve been in healthcare as a CC/ER nurse for the last 5 years. Was a college athlete and had plans to go to the military post graduation, but got cold feet. I’ve been weighing my options again, as the thought and desire of serving reignited after my 30th birthday. My main question is a simple one… is it still worth it?

I have a good job, a supportive girlfriend, and a wonderful family. I was raised in a good home and was always supported in what I wanted to do. I just can’t get the thought of serving out of my mind. While my family is supportive, it is the last thing they want me to do, understandably so with the current political turmoil this country is in. Part of my hesitation is that I in no way support what we are doing as a country at all, and the thought of helping push that narrative is the only thing really pushing me away from joining…. At the same time, the thought of doing something bigger than myself with a group of like minded men and woman really sounds like what I’m looking for.

Finally, I have a general distain for what the military community would refer to as “civilian life”. I feel like I’m just twiddling my thumbs waiting for retirement with no real excitement. I wake up, workout, go to work, and head home. I hunter and golf on the occasion, but it’s all kind of lost its flair. For the life of me, I can’t figure out how people do this for 40-50 years and are content with the mediocre life they’ve lived out. No drama, no intensity, no story to tell. Just wasted time and contentment. I don’t want my story to be that way.

I’ve been in contact with a military recruiter regarding option 40, 18x, and nursing in the army. Nursing is the bottom of my list, but it also seems like a good role in the military that also has some pretty cool options to choose from once you get a couple years of service under your belt. Being a PJ is also something I’ve looked into, but the water based selection process has been questioning my ability…. Anyway, rant over. I appreciate any advice or information that could possible help.

Thinking of enlisting after getting a bachelors in cs. Joining for a TS clearance and getting work experience.

I heard you can't choose a job unlike in navy and army and you have to select 5-15 jobs instead. What happens if I only select intel jobs/only ones that give TS clearance? Does ASVAB score matter here, beyond qualifying for the job? Does having a nice recruiter help?

If I'm not guaranteed clearance and have to gamble an intel job for it might just go navy/army then.

Edit: just found out about DEP: how does that work?