A lot of what I'm talking about is Army related but also applies to the other branches too. For example the Marines could actually let you join without a high school diploma. Key thing is do your research and talk to a recruiter for the branch of service you are interested in for full details.
The USA is becoming like the Balkans. Too many people of opposing ideas. If you are in the military, you will probably survive. It’s too bad we don’t have a national service of some kind, so people would be forced out of their comfort zone.
@@joelpierce3940 the thing that makes the US military unique is that it is an all volunteer force, making it more willful and wanting to put effort. Whereas in a mandatory service there are people that don't want to go thus bringing down the morale and will
@@joeswansonthesimphunter2612 I agree Joe. Let me be more precise. Let them work on the highways, parks, some sort of community service to do something for the country, not just for themselves.
I had a juvenile record and was denied by Marines then Navy but I reached out to the Army and explained my situation and they took me in with open arms. Went on to make E-5, honorable discharge and served in Iraq. Don’t let rejection stop you from joining, so as long as your past isn’t to bad you will always have a chance.
@@tyreeross704 Hi, yeah sure, I committed some vandalism, and stole stuff from a car which put me on probation. I violated probation a few times and was in juvenile hall, all of this occurred before I was 18. I was able to have my records sealed/ expunged and then joined.
@@tyreeross704 it’s a case by case basis but what you should do is go to different recruiters and see what they can do for you, even ones in a different county/city because ultimately the recruiting commander will make the decision by way of a waiver.
Yes, but also, when you get to the "moment of truth", they ask if your recruiter told you to lie. They will then will tell you that if you lied about anything, you will be convicted under the UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice). If you confess to lying, your enlistment stops. However, at the moment of truth, YOU DO NOT FALL UNDER UCMJ. You have not signed the contract yet. You are not a part of the military yet. UCMJ DOES NOT APPLY. They also CANNOT look at your personal medical records due to HIPPA. Also, you will sign two contracts. Once at MEPS when you sign up. And another at MEPS right before shipping off to basic. The second contract is the OFFICIAL one. MAKE SURE YOU READ THE SECOND CONTRACT THOROUGHLY. The military has been known to put a different MOS than you chose on that contract. If that happens and you sign the contract, THAT WILL BE YOUR MOS. If you see a different MOS on that second contract, TELL YOUR RECRUITER. DO NOT SIGN THE CONTRACT UNTIL THE MOS IS CORRECTED.
Canadian forces in 1979. Buddy of mine had a grade 8 education and was about 30 lbs overweight. They put him in the infantry and made him wear a rubber suit with elastic at the wrists, neck and ankles. Put a ruck on him and ran him till he lost the weight. Times have changed. Back then anybody could be a ground pounder short of a murderer.
But if you have bad eyesight, even if it's correctable, even if you graduated high school with honors, even if you get a nomination to the Military Academy, even if you have an IQ in the "gifted" range or better, you are a second (or third) class defective citizen and not allowed to serve.
@@ColonelMarcellus In Canada eyesight can restrict you to what you can do, generally if the smarts aren't there they will make you join as a cook. Then again we can get corrective lenses that pop inside of BEWs (aka B-dubs) and they exist for gasmask aswell but are rare to see. Usually glasses are off and the blind are blind when the mask goes on.
@@elavacado2314 we called Army glasses "BCGs" -- Birth Control Glasses -- so ugly you never get a date while wearing them . Maybe I should've tried for Canadian armed forces.
@@LaPlaga88 not true. Go talk to a recruiter that knows his stuff they won’t just take almost anyone. Back in the day they might have not now days. Things have changed they are getting more picky. During times of war things can change if they really need people they might loosen up and be more lenient
@@thewrenchmaster122 I guess things are different, when I joined in 2013, Army was taking anyone they could, so was AF for that matter where I lived, but the Air Force takes too long to send you to basic.
About 20 years ago Chief of Naval Reserve commissioned a study to determine recruiting problems. The study determined that ~80% of the male population ages 18-30 were ineligible for service based on the following: - Lack of hs diploma - Obease/lack of physical fitness - Drug use - Criminal record - Could not pass minimum ASVAB score
I went to a recruiter and I'm waiting for a waiver for a cyst on my lower back. Wish me luck while all my friends make fun of my for being unable to join over a pimple.
I wanted to join the Army ever since I was little (for whatever reason the 10th mountain division) Always playing Army in the woods around my house. I was denied due to poor vision in 91 after graduation. Guilt haunts me even today I couldn't serve my country. I am very thankful and admire those who have and are serving today....
I feel you man, I am 23 now. Just got denied entry into the Australian defense force due to eczema. Been training and passed all interviews/officer selection board, but got told at the end I was disqualified due to my skin condition. I feel like I can only take L's in life. Couldn't succeed in anything in my life so far. Not with women, not with the careers I wanted and cant even respect myself or receive it from my own parents.
@@mdtowhidurrahman9005 try talking to a different recruiter office and dont tell them about your skin.. not sure if it's the same as US ARMY, but I had a friend denied for adhd and something else at meps.. he went to the next state over to talk to another recruiter (NC from VA) and just didnt say anything about any of his medical issues when he was sent back to meps. He was shipped out to basic training 30 days later.. they probably wont let you take any creams to basic training for your skin so you might get a little itchy until you go to sick call to get some from the medics. Also I had adhd but didn't say anything after i joined I went to the psychiatrist when I got out of basic and they gave me adderall for the entire 9 years I was in. Only once did one of my doctors say anything about I could be medically discharged for it, but I nvr was.
@@vbmoonrocksi4902 ye it a bit different here because once they give you a class 4 medically unfit (permanently unfit for service it to much game over) I wrote an appeal letter with evidence and still got denied. Dosnet matter which state in Australia its a federal department hence its accross all states. Was applying for a highly specialised role, Medical pathologist scientific officer in raaf they need people but are so stringent with these rules. It's funny cos I see obese people all the time in defence but apparently they are more capable soldiers than a young 23 year old guy who is at the best shape of his life. Anyway I will try again next year see what happens. Until then I will stay with my profession as a civilan
I have never served in the U.S. Military, but I am educated and I come from a family that has served in the U.S. Military at times, throughout U.S. History. (So, my comment should be consideded justified and valid.) You do a good job with your videos, Chris. You are knowledgeable and fair with your comments and topics. You do a good job as an unofficial liaison for the U.S. Army, specifically. You are smart and detailed with your work. Good job!!!!!!
I arrived at parris island in the summer of 1976. While there I was diagnosed with having MPD it was called back then. Today MPD is called DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder). Because of rational and unique behavior I was given a waiver. The Marine Corps had a saying for us back then. Maybe they still use it today. "MPD, secret weapon for times of war and during times of peace file them away". When dissociating we lose practically all of our fear and will act on natural instincts.
When I was 21 (year 1997) I was caught with the roach of a smoked joint. Convicted of a minor misdemeanor. I was a licensed pilot, had 2 and a half years of college credit and scored really high on the ASVAB. I couldn't get any branch to waive that. They said I couldn't get a security clearance. I tried three separate times to serve my country, the third being after I had a bachelor degree. The military just wouldn't let me in; I was so sad. Keep your criminal records clean if you wanna serve.
If you were a kid and you visited a counselor, don’t ever mention it. Especially if you are trying to go NSW, or SF. If it’s been years, keep it to yourself. They are to lazy to check your past, even if they say they can. Especially if only cash was paid.
Do you know about criminal? What if you were charged with murder as a juvenile but the charges was dismissed/dropped and as a adult you were caught with a gun but the charges were also dropped/dismissed
That's complete and utter cap, I just got done with MEPS and they dug up every medical record from my past, EVERY thing. They will shock you with what they know and I got denied, and gonna be a homeless bum now. Thanks AMERICA, joke of a country
@@someweirdassdude5759 I didnt make weight, I was like 2 pounds under, but I am actually back at MEPS right now lol, I go and do my weight again tomorrow.
During high school my goal was to go Army....all the men in my family served my dad was in Korea and grandpa ww1....well I was all set aced the ASVAB and was in great shape played all kinds of sports in high school went to the last step MEPS and didn't pass the physical.....30 guys and 2 of us didn't pass...poor vision and color blindness got me I was devastated and my father was even more disappointed....I had to sit watch my brother go in the navy and my sister served in the air force....wasn't in the cards for me
I recently was told I am no longer allowed to attempt to enlist in the military. I’ve had issues with my MEPS for the last four and a half years. The last straw was they had me go to their own psychologist, which literally wrote down “he may be fit for the military, but may not. He may be able to take the hardships of the military, but may need more counseling.” MEPS did not care about anything he said except the last half of the very last sentence: “may need more counseling.” They took that as bible. They didn’t tell my recruiter I am not allowed to try anymore though. I got the chance to speak with a congresswoman of mine and she found out that the US Recruiting Command has officially stated my denied waiver is final and it is not subject to further appeals. Lesson: if you are dead set on enlisting (like I was), DO NOT tell them any of your medical history. I was counseled after my parents divorce when I was younger. They made an enlistment process take 4 1/2 years to finally tell me absolutely no.
At my high school there were a couple of army recruiters who came by and I started to talk to them and one I was talking to, he was giving me advice like joining a weightlifting class (to lose weight and gain muscle) and having at least 3 years of Jrotc and the moment I brought up that I have autism he immediately turned me down but as I did more research I learned that I could sign a waiver, so I'm pretty sure he just didn't wanna do paperwork and my mother has military friends that have said I could join but I'll do more research, this vid helped me a lot. Thank you, sir.
@@Kid2loW Sorry old comment and not sure if it was this way when he was doing it, but when I was doing it in the late 2000s if you did JROTC (not the college ROTC, different animal) that qualified you to come in as an E3 instead of E1.
It’s a very grey area when it comes to a lot of things. I’m looking to join the marines, never been convicted of ANYTHING, but got caught up in the wrong crowd a few years ago and was arrested for a drug possession of a serious drug. One recruiter stopped talking to me, and I have another apt with another recruiter tomorrow morning. You MUST be super careful what you say to a lot of these guys. In my case, I don’t believe I’ll be able to join the Marines unfortunately just because of that charge, even though I was never convicted for it and it was immediately dismissed (for good reason). I really hope I can join the Marines, and if not then I will be walking into the Army office directly after. Wish me luck!
I wish I would have been allowed to join The military when I was young. Apparently you can have your leg blown off from an IED and continue service but a reconstructed ankle (done by a professional sports doctor) is disqualifying and not eligible for waiver. To this day I don't understand the logic behind that.
It was 35 but recently it must have changed because right now if you reference the max age limit for the US army as an enlisted soldier then you will find that the official Army web site says 32 while other sources say 35. So this is simply base on the info the Army is currently puting out on their official site.
Literally any little thing. My friend (who couldn’t join because of an adhd diagnosis) who has a lot of marine friends told me that almost all of them lied about something in order to get in.
This video is very informative. I had a hard time with the ASVAB but they really needed truck drivers in 2005. I also found out in the eye vision screening that I have a type of color blindness. A lot of things were very eye opening for me when I signed up for the Army.
Yea I was color blind as well so it took my list of 78 jobs to choose from down to 7.. i was like wtf.. that makes choosing an mos a little easier i guess right.. lol
Me right now. I passed everything with flying colors. But the drug test shows I have to much protein in my urine so now i had to go doctors to find out whats up with that after a year and a half of testing my lvs are slightly higher than normal (aka yesterday) the doc gave me a note that said I should be 100% good to enlist etc just waiting to see what meps doctors says
christopher. i was a recruiter for the marines in about 2009. back then you needed a highschool diploma (no waiver allowed) no drug or alcohol criminal history (no waiver allowed) must get at least a 25 on the asvab (no waiver allowed) any felony (no waiver allowed) you can be underweight. the marine bootcamp will just make you put on the weight. not overweight above a certain limit (no waiver available) recruiters have separate weight limitations for applicants. single parents can give up custody to a family member to join the marines and get custody back after they are established in their first unit.
My asthma went away on it's own, I had to use a machine when I was 5 because I would literally breathe and it would sound like a kazoo no matter what I did to try and make it more quiet lol, I used to laugh because I thought it was funny and then when I laughed it would make an even more funny sound and then I would laugh even harder and make my mom laugh. But it's gone even though I have been smoking cigarettes too, for at least 8 years and then I quit, I can run 20 miles right now if I have to with a 25 pound Camelbak on.
Remember (YES means “Your Enlistment Stops”) (NO means “New Opportunities”) don’t stress about the FBI background check either. I’ve had 3 surgeries and have been arrested 6 times. 5 times as a juvenile with them being all felonies except one which was domestic violence. My 6th time was as an adult.19 (Failure to yield for blue lights) (reckless driving) joined at 20, lied my way at meps, scanned my finger print and nothing came back. That shit is only scanning for serious ass shit (pedos and terrorist). FYI like 60% of everyone that I’ve met while active lied about shit. Don’t let your past determine your future. Lie. Lol
@merican patriot , Holy crap, really? I’ve been stressing about the background check and not knowing what to do about to! Can they really not see anything? I thought they went back 7-10 years
I have a paraphernalia charge that I got in 2019, I got through Meps by lying saying no. My MOS is master at arms and I’m super nervous about going to basic and getting another background check. I don’t wanna lose this job and have to pick another one, do you think I’ll be good if I continue to lie? It’s one misdemeanor and I have nothing else on my record. I took the charge for my girlfriend because I was trying to be a “good” partner by taking the heat. Should I continue to lie ? I’m stressing hard cause I leave for basic in 2 weeks not even and like I said I REALLY want Master At Arms as my MOS.
@@LoMy_666 I had a simple paraphernalia and procession charge and concealed fire arm charge and a reckless speeding charge. I was still able to get a secret clearance required for my mos back in 2009.. I did have my record expunged by the way but I really dont think it matters.. good luck.
Also, as a note.: As you stress in your video, Chris, the needs of the Army/Military at the time of your potential joining is a key factor in dealing with recruitment standards, either specifically or generally. You covered specific need situations within this video. Yet what I found interesting within my own exposure to the system and studies of World War II U.S. recruitment in general, not only did our country (of course) have a national draft, but to meet the number of troops required at the time for the U.S. armed forces due to our involvement in World War II, the services had to drop their standards in various areas, to meet recruitment/draft goals. As I have noticed when I personally was interested in joining the U.S. Military from time to time within my younger years, there is an ebb and flow within the U.S. Military, like any other type of job market. And whether or not there are viable opportunities and possible recruitment for certain people in the U.S. Military depends on the demands that the U.S. Military has within its branches, at that time of service. (OCS, slow or more rapid advancement timeframes, job classification obtainment, are we as a nation currently at war with a major enemy, etc.) And, as least in my opinion (which I think can be backed-up with fact), the major United States service academies will mostly "run the show" within all branches of military service, and hold highest rank at any time, regardless of U.S. military needs.
When I try to enlist in the Navy in 1990, being gay or bisexual was an automatic disqualifier. I was even surprised when I was asked the question because I never thought that it would be something that would come up. I was medically disqualified because at the time the medical procedure used to repair my heart as an infant was considered an artificial part. The recruiter sent all my medical files to the Pentagon‘s medical division two review and the doctors on the panel said that they could not medically guarantee that my heart would be able to survive military service. Interesting enough about five years later the army changed its medical rules and would have allowed me to enlist. My father said that when he was in Boot Camp in 1966 there were many men in his unit you never would’ve qualified for military service if there was an award going on. There were guys who were extremely overweight, one that was underweight, one who was a borderline psychopath and a few who literally were just convicted of minor Felonise and given the choice between prison and serving in the Army. (My dad by the way in listed on his own to avoid being drafted into the Marine Corps that at the time was having the heaviest casualty rate. He had nothing personally against Marines but he knew that if he listed in the army he would have a chance to pay whatever training he wanted instead of being thrown straight into infantry.) So this brings up my question: Can a judge still give a criminal the choice between jail and the military along with making the military accept the criminal even if he/she wouldn’t normally qualify?
No they don’t give you the jail or military option anymore. Back then they were way more lenient because there was a big war going in and they needed people to feel positions. Back in the day you didn’t even have to graduate high school to join or take a ASVAB test. Now days it’s more strict.
You didn't mention having been treated for mental health issues other than autism spectrum : ie, bipolar, depression, etc. I remember that being the big no no.
If you don’t get in it’s not the end of you. Train study be strong and most importantly be ready to serve your community and maybe our country, if they need us. Army of one in deed
Thank you for the information , I am wanting to join the army 23 and have gathered enough info to streamline the recruitment process. Nothing disqualifies me except for one thing I have heard mixed responses on. I have a history of substance abuse and a rehab stay on my medical record. I have been clean and in the recovery community for 4 years now. No criminal charges what do ever and no health side affects from my time using. It is something I would want to be transparent about with my recruiter as I know it can bite me in the ass if I am not honest. Thank you once again
When I went to MEPS I got disqualified for ADHD. But I haven’t been on medication sense I was 6 so I’m getting a waiver and I don’t show no symptoms of it. It’s kinda funny one doctor says I have ADHD when I was young vs 4 other doctors that say I don’t when I was that age but I was still put on medication and my mom took me off of it when I was on it for like 2 weeks she told me it turned me into a zombie and I didn’t act like a kid when I was that age. I’m thankful for my mom seeing that doctors lie for money! Anyhow just waiting for the waiver!
17 required my father signing a consent form. I wasn't graduating from high school until the following spring. I had the option of split training-Basic, finish high school, and then AIT. I chose to do both, so a week after graduated.
You’re 13 you are supposed to be fat i was like 5’9 freshman year 220lbs. I’m a senior and now I’m 6’ 170. Join the wrestling team or do jujitsu in high school and keep conditioning for the military. If you can do 1-2 years on the varsity wrestling team for wrestling. You’re set. Don’t do baseball or any other ball sport to lose weight. Playing baseball alone will not lose weight.
I have to loose 40lb then my recruiter will send off for my waver, after loosing the 40 if I get disqualified and can’t join that’s going to suck. Hoping to join the reserves in 2022.
I’m 38 years old husband and father, I have steady job , but I’m so excited to join the navy as a reserve 😃 , but the only thing holding me is the 9 weeks BMT ! I don’t know if I can keep my job for that long break 😩
They wont be allowed to fire you for going to BMT, and if they do. File for unemployment when you get back then find another job that pays cash under the table. Lol
the Army is considered the easiest branch to join. it is the biggest branch with the lowest standards. there have been people disqualified from joining other branches but were able to join the army. but I haven't heard of the other way around. so i'm sure if you can't join the army you can't join any other branch.
Question: do you have in the US any kind of psychometric tests to be approved for joining? If do so, which are the disqualifiers associated with a particular way of answering those kind of tests?
The first time I took the ASVAB I just knew I scored high. Got back to the recruiters office and they started asking me questions about what I did while taking the test which to me kinda felt weird, why would they be asking these things? So they finally tell me and say I was disqualified because before you take the test the proctor gives you specific instructions and they said I didn't follow them. I said wth are you talking about?? They said the proctor told them I didn't put my pencil down on the desk when the timer went off and that I finished filling in my answer and then put it down. Of course I was not allowed to talk to the proctor or disagree with her. They said I had to wait two months and retake it. Thankfully there was a different proctor when I retested.
I’m prior service I was discharged in boot camp with a RE-4 code and I still wanna serve I was told by a recruiter that I can submit a waiver but with me being discharged not even a month ago the chances are next to zero for being approved he said come back in 3 years after the diagnosis and submit the waiver when it’s easiest to be approved
Unfortunately I am disqualified from military service. I have hypthyroidism which means my thyroid glands don't produce enough and I have to take a pill for it everyday. I also suffered from testicular torsion when I was in 10th grade. One of my testicules suffocated from blood loss and had to be removed. I spoke to a recruiters in 11th and 12th grades and those problems could be waiverable but that was back in 2017 and 2018. I guess they changed the rules since.
I had Graves’ disease technically don’t have it anymore because I got my thyroid killed but have to take medication and it sucks because it was my dream to join.
I have epilepsy, though it’s pretty mild. Is this something I can get a waver for? What are the requirements for seizure related conditions to join the army/army reserves?
No. If you have epilepsy they won’t take you because if you have a seizure and nobody’s around or do know how to treat it then you can die. Back in the 1980’s we didn’t take them in.
Requirements, waivers, and "look the other way" rules change based on the situation. Peace time? Only the most healthy and fit are taken. In fact, lots of NCOs and Officers will find their reenlistment denied due to "lack of demand". War just start? Anyone with a pulse is accepted. Three counts of murder? Drug dealing? Missing a limb? Welcome aboard.
@@peka003 they died for liberty and freedom but it was very mismanaged correct me if i`m wrong I watched A alternate history on what if we won Vietnam and the result is.................nothing changes we just keep the commies out of Vietnam but hey at least we got some sweet tunes out of it let their memories and their effort not be forgotten and go in vain
@@JARJCC97 okay usa is what you call lib eral and democratic but why you have to force others to follow your ideology,they got used to live in their system,destroying country and killing your own man in name of ideology is everything but democratic
@@reaperx1236 Again, it is all relative. It depends on what you're strong and weak at. For example, I have very limited knowledge of auto shop and I'm also weak at mechanical comprehension and electronics information. I have a better understanding of math knowledge, paragraph comprehension and word knowledge. Take the practice tests online.
I remember getting a wavier for hearing loss, and then I was briefly disqualified from my selected rate (MOS), and then requality for it. That felt like my longest week of boot camp 😅.
Im wanting to join but im needing to get my wisdom teeth taken out but i dont got the money or anything for it so im worried that it could be a reason for them not to let me join
To add to the ADHD medication one, it's the same for depression. When I tried to enlist in 2008/2009, I was told that would likely DQ me at MEPs and I needed to stay on that medication for a long time; not something I could fake and lie about. In retrospect it was probably a good thing I didn't because after reading more I wouldn't have done well in the Army with it & aspergers, but during that time as a JROTC kid, that was sort of devastating.
I know a person who exaggerated slightly on his paperwork on his job history and such they crawled up his butt for 2 years before he finally got his security clearance they didn't kick him out but they made his life miserable and kept him in limbo for quite a while.
Sorry if this has been asked before, but I've just started doing my research to prepare myself before contacting a recruiter: I have two misdemeanors on my record. Will a recruiter ask me about my background during our first meeting? And if they don't, when should I expect to talk about it or bring it up on my own?
I’m a caregiver. I work with a client who smokes marijuana and I get 2nd hand smoke. If I’m able to get some proof about the clients marijuana smoke from my employer will they take that? And YES I DON’T SMOKE MARIJUANA.
I believe it's actually difficult to get detectable amounts of marijuana in your system just from secondhand smoke. If you did get enough to show up on a drug test, it is unlikely they will give you a pass for that, as I'm sure that could be an easy excuse for someone who is actually using it. I don't even know if a letter from someone would help. But I still think it's difficult to end up with enough in your system from secondhand smoke, but always check with a recruiter to see if they have had others in the same situation and how that went for them.
My recruiter straight up told me to lie in meps about my iron deficiency. I'm worried it will come up in meps when they test my blood however, I've been taking iron medication and eating iron rich foods. Will being anemic affect my potential to enlist?
It was 35 but recently it must have changed because right now if you reference the max age limit for the US army as an enlisted soldier then you will find that the official Army web site says 32 while other sources say 35. So this is simply base on the info the Army is currently puting out on their official site.
@christopherchaos hey man I have a couple questions ! I am trying to join the army right now . I took my fingerprints to check my back ground and now waiting for the ok I know I need a waiver or two I have a dui from 9 years ago and also another misdemeanor case from 9 years ago I’m anxious to know if I would be accepted
I got knee surgery ( knee popped out of place back 2009 ) just a small screw. My sergeant after 8 month ( with 4 months of physical therapy ) cleared me and have written a letter for able to go active duty. Will that disqualify me?
Question, i have old self harm scars from over 4 years ago. I went to the doctor to get them stitched up. Thats old me, i dont have depression or anxiety or anything like that i just made a dumb choice. Im wondering if i could get a waiver fir it if i prove im not depressed or anything.
I had shoulder surgery 5 years ago, everything is great now, I have doctors reports saying I have no restrictions for military service, and MEPs is still being annoying and my recruiter has stopped returning my calls and takes days to reply to an email or text. I thought I was good :/
Unfortunately, I'm on medication for anxiety. The anxiety is gone, but I'm still on the meds. I want to join still, especially since there's a recruiting crisis, but none of the branches will take me. It sucks, but that's life.
You have to be off medication for a certain amount of time I believe so go to a doctor and tell them you aren’t required medication and when they run the tests and see you don’t need medication wait out the time I believe it’s 6 months without medication and be symptom free and try again
I was diagnosed with epilepsy when I was really young , I’m 22 now and no longer see a neurologist or take medicine and it’s been around 12 years since there have been any seizures or any symptoms I use to experience. Would this disqualify me or possibly be waived , I don’t believe I’ll be able to keep it from my recruiter or mess seeing it’s a documented diagnosis.
If I'm not mistaken there is a program in yhe Army where you will go for a few weeks to get your GED before you head to BCT. I had a few soldiers that went through this when I was in.
@@lelandgaunt9985 These would be an extra day off, usually a Friday before a regular Monday Holliday. If your unit had 180 days or more without a DUI, we would get that Friday off. If not we would be working. When I first got to the unit it was like 600 plus days, then there were like 5 in a row. Seemed like every weekend we wre hearing about it. My friends just drunk in the barricks. Cheaper and no DUI.
I have a mental illness, I am under the care of a doctor, I thought about joining the service, but due to my condition I can't join the service. I hope those who decide to join, do so with pride, Thank you.
My dad planned to join the military, he was so close but he messed up by saying "I am joining the military to kill." Lucky he didn't pursue iit farther because, I wouldn't be here today.
I don’t think you mentioned this but I have a peanut allergy, would I be disqualified?? Or could that potentially be waiverable?? I’ve never had a serious reaction in the past thankfully but the doctor did say it is anaphylactic. However I was tested a long time ago when I was younger and I could have grown out of it, but I wouldn’t know unless I was blood tested again. If I were to be tested and the allergy results were negative could I possibly still join the army? And if the results come back positive, am i immediately disqualified??
What if you one of your parents was in the military and his/her child was covered under tricare, will the doctors at meps have med records on file? Also what about the pre-enlistment questionnaire, is that handed off to the administrators at meps? Thank you for your time.
@@chairsdaily7526 I THINK they will ? I was reading up on military experiences on Reddit and there was a case where someone got discharged because they got caught for lying about some medical reason and they were under tricare and from what I remember people saying , everything is so easily accessible with it and will be hard to not disclose anything because they have access to it
I wanted to join the Army and possibly try to become a Practical Nursing Specialist but I would need at least four different waivers: One for scars I have from self-mutilation, one for a history of depression and anxiety, one for ADHD, one for Astigmatism and one for having two misdemeanors on my record. Yeah, I am not even going to waste my time trying to get in....
I had to get waivers for drug charges, gun charges, reckless speeding charge and for only having a GED. I didnt tell them I was taking adderall for adhd and it took me 5 weeks to clean my piss of the THC. My recruiter helped me so much and 5 months after starting the process I was off to basic training. By the way I had most of my criminal record expunged. If you want to join, just do it.
Recruiter called me last week because I went to the Go Army website. Asked me some of the basic questions, as soon as he heard I passed highschool with a 3.8 GPA, Took College Courses on Cyber Security (in highschool) and that I was more than willing to take a piss test (also don't drink/smoke), I could HEAR him foaming at the mouth. Dude was like 'It's okay if you've packed on some weight after highschool, just come on down we'll share a pizza, get you sorted out.' I guess he input some of my basic information into the system, because two days later the fucking air force called me begging me to come down to the recruiting office. Apparently someone let word slip that there is a 21 year old who doesn't do drugs, and isn't stupid that wants to enlist. Now every recruiter in my state from all branches (expect space force and coast guard) are HOUNDING me. It's like a bidding war, at first it was 'oh yeah you can enlist E-1 no big deal.' Now they're trying to give me rankups, bonuses, confirmed school entries (like airborne/air assault.), and the ARMY recruiter is apparently pulling strings with COs to make sure there is room for the MOS I want. I got a call from a fucking Captain asking me if I knew a Staff Sergeant and if I was interested in getting a 'fast pass to a nice MOS' The military are fucking hounds dude.
A lot of what I'm talking about is Army related but also applies to the other branches too. For example the Marines could actually let you join without a high school diploma. Key thing is do your research and talk to a recruiter for the branch of service you are interested in for full details.
Nice video as always
Since when is it 33. Was always 35 and have to ship prior to your 35th birthday
Can you please do a reception video I ship out in june and I'm afraid for some reason I will get kicked out at reception
How was this commented 13 hours ago but the video posted 1 hour ago.
V I d e o E x I s t e d F o r 2 H o u r s
C o m m e n t P o s t e d 1 5 H o u r s A g o
when i went in 80's if u could walk and talk u were in!!! lmaso!
You must be in your 60s now I assume?
Same as the early 2000’s.
The USA is becoming like the Balkans. Too many people of opposing ideas. If you are in the military, you will probably survive. It’s too bad we don’t have a national service of some kind, so people would be forced out of their comfort zone.
@@joelpierce3940 the thing that makes the US military unique is that it is an all volunteer force, making it more willful and wanting to put effort. Whereas in a mandatory service there are people that don't want to go thus bringing down the morale and will
@@joeswansonthesimphunter2612 I agree Joe. Let me be more precise. Let them work on the highways, parks, some sort of community service to do something for the country, not just for themselves.
I had a juvenile record and was denied by Marines then Navy but I reached out to the Army and explained my situation and they took me in with open arms. Went on to make E-5, honorable discharge and served in Iraq. Don’t let rejection stop you from joining, so as long as your past isn’t to bad you will always have a chance.
Can I ask what did you have on ur record
@@tyreeross704 Hi, yeah sure, I committed some vandalism, and stole stuff from a car which put me on probation. I violated probation a few times and was in juvenile hall, all of this occurred before I was 18. I was able to have my records sealed/ expunged and then joined.
@@tankguy1981 thanks I’m having a hard time getting in I only have one charge thats Domestic violence but it’s expunged and I have my gun rights back
@@tyreeross704 it’s a case by case basis but what you should do is go to different recruiters and see what they can do for you, even ones in a different county/city because ultimately the recruiting commander will make the decision by way of a waiver.
@@tankguy1981 appreciate your help
Remember, if it’s not on paper, it never happened.
Ty
My recruiter was hinting around that when he was asking me questions. I caught onto it pretty quickly
fuck whelp what if i burn that paper
@@apersonyoudontknow3346 Then you have erased history, and it never happened.
Yes, but also, when you get to the "moment of truth", they ask if your recruiter told you to lie. They will then will tell you that if you lied about anything, you will be convicted under the UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice). If you confess to lying, your enlistment stops.
However, at the moment of truth, YOU DO NOT FALL UNDER UCMJ. You have not signed the contract yet. You are not a part of the military yet. UCMJ DOES NOT APPLY.
They also CANNOT look at your personal medical records due to HIPPA.
Also, you will sign two contracts. Once at MEPS when you sign up. And another at MEPS right before shipping off to basic. The second contract is the OFFICIAL one. MAKE SURE YOU READ THE SECOND CONTRACT THOROUGHLY. The military has been known to put a different MOS than you chose on that contract. If that happens and you sign the contract, THAT WILL BE YOUR MOS.
If you see a different MOS on that second contract, TELL YOUR RECRUITER. DO NOT SIGN THE CONTRACT UNTIL THE MOS IS CORRECTED.
Canadian forces in 1979. Buddy of mine had a grade 8 education and was about 30 lbs overweight. They put him in the infantry and made him wear a rubber suit with elastic at the wrists, neck and ankles. Put a ruck on him and ran him till he lost the weight. Times have changed. Back then anybody could be a ground pounder short of a murderer.
But if you have bad eyesight, even if it's correctable, even if you graduated high school with honors, even if you get a nomination to the Military Academy, even if you have an IQ in the "gifted" range or better, you are a second (or third) class defective citizen and not allowed to serve.
@@ColonelMarcellus In Canada eyesight can restrict you to what you can do, generally if the smarts aren't there they will make you join as a cook. Then again we can get corrective lenses that pop inside of BEWs (aka B-dubs) and they exist for gasmask aswell but are rare to see. Usually glasses are off and the blind are blind when the mask goes on.
@@elavacado2314 we called Army glasses "BCGs" -- Birth Control Glasses -- so ugly you never get a date while wearing them . Maybe I should've tried for Canadian armed forces.
What's the recruiters reaction when he ask why you wanna join the infantry and you say cause I wanna kill
I was underweight, by 2Lb Doc told me to go drink as much water and come back.
And did you pass?
How did that go?
@@meme-xn6wr after standing at the water fountain for about 15 min I came back and passed. that was 27 years ago.. 6 years as a 67T
@@edwardwilson3411 Ah. Thank you for your service.
@@edwardwilson3411 sweet. I've got to lose weight before I join the Army. Diet, exercise and most importantly water. Don't forget to hydrate
As stated before, getting into the army can be more difficult than getting into college.
Well, they have transgenders and women in the infantry. So I think that you are incorrect.
This is so false lol , Army will literally take almost anyone.
@@LaPlaga88 not true. Go talk to a recruiter that knows his stuff they won’t just take almost anyone. Back in the day they might have not now days. Things have changed they are getting more picky. During times of war things can change if they really need people they might loosen up and be more lenient
@@tgildersleeve8295 and no transgenders are not allowed to join anymore facts
@@thewrenchmaster122 I guess things are different, when I joined in 2013, Army was taking anyone they could, so was AF for that matter where I lived, but the Air Force takes too long to send you to basic.
About 20 years ago Chief of Naval Reserve commissioned a study to determine recruiting problems. The study determined that ~80% of the male population ages 18-30 were ineligible for service based on the following:
- Lack of hs diploma
- Obease/lack of physical fitness
- Drug use
- Criminal record
- Could not pass minimum ASVAB score
Yeah but that's 20 years ago it could have changed
Yeah same goes today that's why they snatching up women to join
@@wesleygetsinger1859 it’s gotten worst
@@markm5772 definitely! you can't even spell worse! sheeeesh
I went to a recruiter and I'm waiting for a waiver for a cyst on my lower back. Wish me luck while all my friends make fun of my for being unable to join over a pimple.
I wanted to join the Army ever since I was little (for whatever reason the 10th mountain division) Always playing Army in the woods around my house. I was denied due to poor vision in 91 after graduation. Guilt haunts me even today I couldn't serve my country. I am very thankful and admire those who have and are serving today....
At least you tried and I respect that ❤️💯
I feel you man, I am 23 now. Just got denied entry into the Australian defense force due to eczema. Been training and passed all interviews/officer selection board, but got told at the end I was disqualified due to my skin condition. I feel like I can only take L's in life. Couldn't succeed in anything in my life so far. Not with women, not with the careers I wanted and cant even respect myself or receive it from my own parents.
@@mdtowhidurrahman9005 try talking to a different recruiter office and dont tell them about your skin.. not sure if it's the same as US ARMY, but I had a friend denied for adhd and something else at meps.. he went to the next state over to talk to another recruiter (NC from VA) and just didnt say anything about any of his medical issues when he was sent back to meps. He was shipped out to basic training 30 days later.. they probably wont let you take any creams to basic training for your skin so you might get a little itchy until you go to sick call to get some from the medics. Also I had adhd but didn't say anything after i joined I went to the psychiatrist when I got out of basic and they gave me adderall for the entire 9 years I was in. Only once did one of my doctors say anything about I could be medically discharged for it, but I nvr was.
@@vbmoonrocksi4902 ye it a bit different here because once they give you a class 4 medically unfit (permanently unfit for service it to much game over) I wrote an appeal letter with evidence and still got denied. Dosnet matter which state in Australia its a federal department hence its accross all states. Was applying for a highly specialised role, Medical pathologist scientific officer in raaf they need people but are so stringent with these rules. It's funny cos I see obese people all the time in defence but apparently they are more capable soldiers than a young 23 year old guy who is at the best shape of his life.
Anyway I will try again next year see what happens. Until then I will stay with my profession as a civilan
Same thing happened to me in 97, the vision in my right eye was to poor
You seem like you’d be a really cool guy in person
Thanks!
He looks like he would have the common decency too give you a reach around
@@hungsolow4851 HAHAHAHAH FMJ!
I have never served in the U.S. Military, but I am educated and I come from a family that has served in the U.S. Military at times, throughout U.S. History. (So, my comment should be consideded justified and valid.) You do a good job with your videos, Chris. You are knowledgeable and fair with your comments and topics. You do a good job as an unofficial liaison for the U.S. Army, specifically. You are smart and detailed with your work. Good job!!!!!!
@@AlexReacts_ That's you!!!!!!!
I arrived at parris island in the summer of 1976. While there I was diagnosed with having MPD it was called back then. Today MPD is called DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder). Because of rational and unique behavior I was given a waiver. The Marine Corps had a saying for us back then. Maybe they still use it today. "MPD, secret weapon for times of war and during times of peace file them away". When dissociating we lose practically all of our fear and will act on natural instincts.
When I was 21 (year 1997) I was caught with the roach of a smoked joint. Convicted of a minor misdemeanor. I was a licensed pilot, had 2 and a half years of college credit and scored really high on the ASVAB. I couldn't get any branch to waive that. They said I couldn't get a security clearance. I tried three separate times to serve my country, the third being after I had a bachelor degree. The military just wouldn't let me in; I was so sad. Keep your criminal records clean if you wanna serve.
Try it again now, you might qualify for an age waiver, don't give up.
I bet smoking the ganga would not get one out of being drafted
If you were a kid and you visited a counselor, don’t ever mention it. Especially if you are trying to go NSW, or SF. If it’s been years, keep it to yourself. They are to lazy to check your past, even if they say they can. Especially if only cash was paid.
Do you know about criminal? What if you were charged with murder as a juvenile but the charges was dismissed/dropped and as a adult you were caught with a gun but the charges were also dropped/dismissed
That's complete and utter cap, I just got done with MEPS and they dug up every medical record from my past, EVERY thing. They will shock you with what they know and I got denied, and gonna be a homeless bum now. Thanks AMERICA, joke of a country
@@Moneyrules-zp4wfYo what? You have to mention that, thats serious stuff
I got to MEPS today and somehow aced the ASVAB confirmation test, and I go and do the physical part tommorrow lol
Hey man how did I go
@@someweirdassdude5759 I didnt make weight, I was like 2 pounds under, but I am actually back at MEPS right now lol, I go and do my weight again tomorrow.
@@jaidenmead1239 you make it?
@@jaidenmead1239 update us!
@jaidenmead That’s all I have left to do! But since I’m a big boy they want me 3 percent under for my tape measure so I just been training my ass off
During high school my goal was to go Army....all the men in my family served my dad was in Korea and grandpa ww1....well I was all set aced the ASVAB and was in great shape played all kinds of sports in high school went to the last step MEPS and didn't pass the physical.....30 guys and 2 of us didn't pass...poor vision and color blindness got me I was devastated and my father was even more disappointed....I had to sit watch my brother go in the navy and my sister served in the air force....wasn't in the cards for me
How poor is your vision?
20/200 uncorrected plus color blindnese....
It’s okay it’s not the end of the world for you!
I would like to gine army DeAndre Eastman I am form south America Guyana
Ah man I’m sorry I know how it feels when it’s your dream to join the military in some way and not be able to.
I got medically DQ'd but that DQ actually helped me discover I needed surgery to fix a small medical issue.
If u have screws is it not allowed
@@nickhardner6691 No screws
I recently was told I am no longer allowed to attempt to enlist in the military. I’ve had issues with my MEPS for the last four and a half years. The last straw was they had me go to their own psychologist, which literally wrote down “he may be fit for the military, but may not. He may be able to take the hardships of the military, but may need more counseling.” MEPS did not care about anything he said except the last half of the very last sentence: “may need more counseling.” They took that as bible. They didn’t tell my recruiter I am not allowed to try anymore though. I got the chance to speak with a congresswoman of mine and she found out that the US Recruiting Command has officially stated my denied waiver is final and it is not subject to further appeals.
Lesson: if you are dead set on enlisting (like I was), DO NOT tell them any of your medical history. I was counseled after my parents divorce when I was younger. They made an enlistment process take 4 1/2 years to finally tell me absolutely no.
Sorry to here that.. you could always join the French Legion.. they will even give you a new identity and french passport after 5 years of service.
My recruiter told me to be honest with my medical because they do check records… getting caught up in a lie would cause bigger issues in my opinion
The one thumbsdown didn't get his waiver
It’s fine he would’ve ETS’d and bitched about on Facebook until someone comes for the military then he’s on the kool-aid
*insert 90% of vets ever*
At my high school there were a couple of army recruiters who came by and I started to talk to them and one I was talking to, he was giving me advice like joining a weightlifting class (to lose weight and gain muscle) and having at least 3 years of Jrotc and the moment I brought up that I have autism he immediately turned me down but as I did more research I learned that I could sign a waiver, so I'm pretty sure he just didn't wanna do paperwork and my mother has military friends that have said I could join but I'll do more research, this vid helped me a lot. Thank you, sir.
Why would it be good to join rotc
@@Kid2loW because in college after you join if you were in rotc you could be an officer if you join the military
Autism is not waiverable, nor should it be waiverable.
Sorry bro, but if that's documented, it's going to be a no-go across the whole military.
@@Kid2loW Sorry old comment and not sure if it was this way when he was doing it, but when I was doing it in the late 2000s if you did JROTC (not the college ROTC, different animal) that qualified you to come in as an E3 instead of E1.
It’s a very grey area when it comes to a lot of things. I’m looking to join the marines, never been convicted of ANYTHING, but got caught up in the wrong crowd a few years ago and was arrested for a drug possession of a serious drug. One recruiter stopped talking to me, and I have another apt with another recruiter tomorrow morning. You MUST be super careful what you say to a lot of these guys. In my case, I don’t believe I’ll be able to join the Marines unfortunately just because of that charge, even though I was never convicted for it and it was immediately dismissed (for good reason). I really hope I can join the Marines, and if not then I will be walking into the Army office directly after. Wish me luck!
They didn’t take you huh?
I wish I would have been allowed to join The military when I was young. Apparently you can have your leg blown off from an IED and continue service but a reconstructed ankle (done by a professional sports doctor) is disqualifying and not eligible for waiver. To this day I don't understand the logic behind that.
Should nvr violate your HIPPA rights. You dont have to tell them about medical shit unless it will prevent you from running the 2mi.
I’m not trying to start an argument however, I enlisted at 33 without a waiver (as far as I am aware) and will even be turning 34 while at osut.
The cutoff for Army National Guard is 35. I just enlisted two weeks before my 35th birthday. No waiver required
It was 35 but recently it must have changed because right now if you reference the max age limit for the US army as an enlisted soldier then you will find that the official Army web site says 32 while other sources say 35. So this is simply base on the info the Army is currently puting out on their official site.
Graduated basic with a guy that was 39, but don’t know the waiver process for him.
In 2009 we had a PFC who was 42 fresh out of AIT at that time 42 was the cut off for the Army.
My dad joined in his late 30’s he was at least 35 if not older
Literally any little thing. My friend (who couldn’t join because of an adhd diagnosis) who has a lot of marine friends told me that almost all of them lied about something in order to get in.
This video is very informative. I had a hard time with the ASVAB but they really needed truck drivers in 2005. I also found out in the eye vision screening that I have a type of color blindness. A lot of things were very eye opening for me when I signed up for the Army.
Yea I was color blind as well so it took my list of 78 jobs to choose from down to 7.. i was like wtf.. that makes choosing an mos a little easier i guess right.. lol
@@vbmoonrocksi4902 Same. Now I'm 11b lol
Be prepared to fight for unreasonable medical disqualification from meps.
When in about say no.
Like what?
Can you go into more detail?
Me right now. I passed everything with flying colors. But the drug test shows I have to much protein in my urine so now i had to go doctors to find out whats up with that after a year and a half of testing my lvs are slightly higher than normal (aka yesterday) the doc gave me a note that said I should be 100% good to enlist etc just waiting to see what meps doctors says
I have something unwaiverable so I am fucked.
christopher. i was a recruiter for the marines in about 2009. back then you needed a highschool diploma (no waiver allowed) no drug or alcohol criminal history (no waiver allowed) must get at least a 25 on the asvab (no waiver allowed) any felony (no waiver allowed) you can be underweight. the marine bootcamp will just make you put on the weight. not overweight above a certain limit (no waiver available) recruiters have separate weight limitations for applicants. single parents can give up custody to a family member to join the marines and get custody back after they are established in their first unit.
Gastric sleeve surgery disqualifies ?
Rah Rah. Rah Rah Rah
Literally anything and everything can disqualify you. I’ve met people who were disqualified for having something as simple and common as anxiety.
Can a recruiter get a waiver for that?
@@philspaseo2377 you won't need anything if you haven't taken medication for it for 6 months or longer.
@@needlamp2147 adhd is different
I'm joining the Coast Gaurd and the only listed non-negotiable disqualifier is any severity of past or current allergen to shellfish.
My asthma went away on it's own, I had to use a machine when I was 5 because I would literally breathe and it would sound like a kazoo no matter what I did to try and make it more quiet lol, I used to laugh because I thought it was funny and then when I laughed it would make an even more funny sound and then I would laugh even harder and make my mom laugh. But it's gone even though I have been smoking cigarettes too, for at least 8 years and then I quit, I can run 20 miles right now if I have to with a 25 pound Camelbak on.
Remember (YES means “Your Enlistment Stops”) (NO means “New Opportunities”) don’t stress about the FBI background check either. I’ve had 3 surgeries and have been arrested 6 times. 5 times as a juvenile with them being all felonies except one which was domestic violence. My 6th time was as an adult.19 (Failure to yield for blue lights) (reckless driving) joined at 20, lied my way at meps, scanned my finger print and nothing came back. That shit is only scanning for serious ass shit (pedos and terrorist). FYI like 60% of everyone that I’ve met while active lied about shit. Don’t let your past determine your future. Lie. Lol
@merican patriot , Holy crap, really? I’ve been stressing about the background check and not knowing what to do about to! Can they really not see anything? I thought they went back 7-10 years
I have a paraphernalia charge that I got in 2019, I got through Meps by lying saying no. My MOS is master at arms and I’m super nervous about going to basic and getting another background check. I don’t wanna lose this job and have to pick another one, do you think I’ll be good if I continue to lie? It’s one misdemeanor and I have nothing else on my record. I took the charge for my girlfriend because I was trying to be a “good” partner by taking the heat. Should I continue to lie ? I’m stressing hard cause I leave for basic in 2 weeks not even and like I said I REALLY want Master At Arms as my MOS.
@@LoMy_666 I had a simple paraphernalia and procession charge and concealed fire arm charge and a reckless speeding charge. I was still able to get a secret clearance required for my mos back in 2009.. I did have my record expunged by the way but I really dont think it matters.. good luck.
@@vbmoonrocksi4902 thanks for the reply I appreciate it. Leaving tomorrow!
@@LoMy_666 best of luck im sure youll see the=is in a few weeks
Oldy but a goody. Take a drink every time he says waiver, chug when he says potentially, and down the bottle when he says army
Also, as a note.: As you stress in your video, Chris, the needs of the Army/Military at the time of your potential joining is a key factor in dealing with recruitment standards, either specifically or generally. You covered specific need situations within this video. Yet what I found interesting within my own exposure to the system and studies of World War II U.S. recruitment in general, not only did our country (of course) have a national draft, but to meet the number of troops required at the time for the U.S. armed forces due to our involvement in World War II, the services had to drop their standards in various areas, to meet recruitment/draft goals. As I have noticed when I personally was interested in joining the U.S. Military from time to time within my younger years, there is an ebb and flow within the U.S. Military, like any other type of job market. And whether or not there are viable opportunities and possible recruitment for certain people in the U.S. Military depends on the demands that the U.S. Military has within its branches, at that time of service. (OCS, slow or more rapid advancement timeframes, job classification obtainment, are we as a nation currently at war with a major enemy, etc.) And, as least in my opinion (which I think can be backed-up with fact), the major United States service academies will mostly "run the show" within all branches of military service, and hold highest rank at any time, regardless of U.S. military needs.
With a parents' waiver, 17 can enlist. However, they can not deploy overseas until they are 18.
Had a friend get emancipated from parents and start process at 16
You cant even go to basic training until 18...
When I try to enlist in the Navy in 1990, being gay or bisexual was an automatic disqualifier. I was even surprised when I was asked the question because I never thought that it would be something that would come up.
I was medically disqualified because at the time the medical procedure used to repair my heart as an infant was considered an artificial part. The recruiter sent all my medical files to the Pentagon‘s medical division two review and the doctors on the panel said that they could not medically guarantee that my heart would be able to survive military service. Interesting enough about five years later the army changed its medical rules and would have allowed me to enlist.
My father said that when he was in Boot Camp in 1966 there were many men in his unit you never would’ve qualified for military service if there was an award going on. There were guys who were extremely overweight, one that was underweight, one who was a borderline psychopath and a few who literally were just convicted of minor Felonise and given the choice between prison and serving in the Army.
(My dad by the way in listed on his own to avoid being drafted into the Marine Corps that at the time was having the heaviest casualty rate. He had nothing personally against Marines but he knew that if he listed in the army he would have a chance to pay whatever training he wanted instead of being thrown straight into infantry.)
So this brings up my question: Can a judge still give a criminal the choice between jail and the military along with making the military accept the criminal even if he/she wouldn’t normally qualify?
Im suprised the navy had anything against homosexuals. Most rape survival testimonies come from sailors
No they don’t give you the jail or military option anymore. Back then they were way more lenient because there was a big war going in and they needed people to feel positions. Back in the day you didn’t even have to graduate high school to join or take a ASVAB test. Now days it’s more strict.
You didn't mention having been treated for mental health issues other than autism spectrum : ie, bipolar, depression, etc. I remember that being the big no no.
How does one not make it. BEING HONEST.
I mean some people are born with legit disabilities my guy
@@ChickentNug I knew several but past the physical and duck and said nothing.
People talk too much about their problems, it’s the doctors job to examine you, let them earn their salt, don’t volunteer your information.
@@sgtwilderness2821 did they ever catch you?
@@ChickentNug yeah like being born in South America
If you don’t get in it’s not the end of you. Train study be strong and most importantly be ready to serve your community and maybe our country, if they need us. Army of one in deed
Thank you for the information , I am wanting to join the army 23 and have gathered enough info to streamline the recruitment process. Nothing disqualifies me except for one thing I have heard mixed responses on. I have a history of substance abuse and a rehab stay on my medical record. I have been clean and in the recovery community for 4 years now. No criminal charges what do ever and no health side affects from my time using. It is something I would want to be transparent about with my recruiter as I know it can bite me in the ass if I am not honest. Thank you once again
I am in the same boat. How has that turned out for you?
In 1978 I was 6 ft 5 in tall weight 283 body fat 10% after Jimmy Carter down size the military. I was forced out for being to big not to fat.
Never been this early
SAME
Diagnosed with bipolar, depression and anxiety. Couldnt get a waiver broke down in the recruiters office
Damm bro don’t give up
Is okay if you broke down is normal when it feels like your dreams are gone just keep trying
When I enlisted in ‘05 you could get a 14 on the ASVAP and join 11B
I heard from a recruiter that if you have a degree you dont have a age limit for medic.
When I went to MEPS I got disqualified for ADHD. But I haven’t been on medication sense I was 6 so I’m getting a waiver and I don’t show no symptoms of it. It’s kinda funny one doctor says I have ADHD when I was young vs 4 other doctors that say I don’t when I was that age but I was still put on medication and my mom took me off of it when I was on it for like 2 weeks she told me it turned me into a zombie and I didn’t act like a kid when I was that age. I’m thankful for my mom seeing that doctors lie for money! Anyhow just waiting for the waiver!
17 required my father signing a consent form. I wasn't graduating from high school until the following spring. I had the option of split training-Basic, finish high school, and then AIT. I chose to do both, so a week after graduated.
What about being fat because im 13 right now and im trynna lose weight and get stronger so I can be ready.
Depends on your BMI. your weight and height. JOIN SPORTS and take PE it will help you alot and be mindful of what you eat YOU CAN DO IT
@@cucuy98 I play baseball but im very overweight. 5’10 220 pounds
@@anthonygoris9206 lose 20 pounds
Max weight is for 5,10 is 180
You’re 13 you are supposed to be fat i was like 5’9 freshman year 220lbs. I’m a senior and now I’m 6’ 170. Join the wrestling team or do jujitsu in high school and keep conditioning for the military. If you can do 1-2 years on the varsity wrestling team for wrestling. You’re set. Don’t do baseball or any other ball sport to lose weight. Playing baseball alone will not lose weight.
I have to loose 40lb then my recruiter will send off for my waver, after loosing the 40 if I get disqualified and can’t join that’s going to suck. Hoping to join the reserves in 2022.
How did it go?
I got waived for failing marine corps bootcamp, i got injured and got kicked out. But I made it through army basic and am so happy!
Congrats 👍🏻
That’s pretty cool man I’m glad you didn’t give up
** Hey !*Chris ? Right On, with this Advice, it's Useful Info ! ** Peace !!
Can you get in the army if you've been in a mental and or physiological hospital or a residential program?
yes you can
This video really helped out!
I’m 38 years old husband and father, I have steady job , but I’m so excited to join the navy as a reserve 😃 , but the only thing holding me is the 9 weeks BMT ! I don’t know if I can keep my job for that long break 😩
Let your boss know, they can't fire you or punish you for joining the military.
They wont be allowed to fire you for going to BMT, and if they do. File for unemployment when you get back then find another job that pays cash under the table. Lol
the Army is considered the easiest branch to join. it is the biggest branch with the lowest standards.
there have been people disqualified from joining other branches but were able to join the army. but I haven't heard of the other way around. so i'm sure if you can't join the army you can't join any other branch.
If you can't join the army because of tattoos, go to the navy. Their tattoo restrictions are much more relaxed.
I recently got denied my hearing waiver for the marines and I’m trying to find a way to appeal to a denied waiver. Is that possible?
Have you found an answer ?
I went to OSUT with a height of 4’10 1/2....
I made it by half an Inch
Snitching your self out at meps is the most common.
A friend of mine is 39 and just graduated Air Force basic training not too long ago
39 is the Air Force cut off age. So yeah that makes sense.
Question: do you have in the US any kind of psychometric tests to be approved for joining? If do so, which are the disqualifiers associated with a particular way of answering those kind of tests?
I have severe scoliosis and people say that I can’t get in, but I was wondering if I could waiver
That is a question that only a doctor at MEPS can really answer because it might require someone to see how severe it is.
The first time I took the ASVAB I just knew I scored high. Got back to the recruiters office and they started asking me questions about what I did while taking the test which to me kinda felt weird, why would they be asking these things? So they finally tell me and say I was disqualified because before you take the test the proctor gives you specific instructions and they said I didn't follow them. I said wth are you talking about?? They said the proctor told them I didn't put my pencil down on the desk when the timer went off and that I finished filling in my answer and then put it down. Of course I was not allowed to talk to the proctor or disagree with her. They said I had to wait two months and retake it. Thankfully there was a different proctor when I retested.
Don't they keep your scores from last time?
@@youraveragejoe2 No because I didn't have a score, I was DQ so no scores are kept.
@@darktoadone5068 yikes. Well did you pass the retest?
I’m prior service I was discharged in boot camp with a RE-4 code and I still wanna serve I was told by a recruiter that I can submit a waiver but with me being discharged not even a month ago the chances are next to zero for being approved he said come back in 3 years after the diagnosis and submit the waiver when it’s easiest to be approved
Dont forget to drop a like! Thanks for the info Chris!!
Unfortunately I am disqualified from military service. I have hypthyroidism which means my thyroid glands don't produce enough and I have to take a pill for it everyday. I also suffered from testicular torsion when I was in 10th grade. One of my testicules suffocated from blood loss and had to be removed.
I spoke to a recruiters in 11th and 12th grades and those problems could be waiverable but that was back in 2017 and 2018.
I guess they changed the rules since.
Damn
I had Graves’ disease technically don’t have it anymore because I got my thyroid killed but have to take medication and it sucks because it was my dream to join.
Fun fact on the citizenship part...certain Pacific defense pact nations are allowed to enlist in the U.S. military. Believe Micronesia, Palau, etc.
Marshall islands also.
i wanna join so bad but they wont let me cause i have nocturnal seizures. they arent common i have like 2 per year and that was before medication
I have epilepsy, though it’s pretty mild. Is this something I can get a waver for? What are the requirements for seizure related conditions to join the army/army reserves?
No. If you have epilepsy they won’t take you because if you have a seizure and nobody’s around or do know how to treat it then you can die. Back in the 1980’s we didn’t take them in.
I couldn’t get in
I would also like to know the answer but I think just talk to a recruiter and find out
Requirements, waivers, and "look the other way" rules change based on the situation.
Peace time? Only the most healthy and fit are taken. In fact, lots of NCOs and Officers will find their reenlistment denied due to "lack of demand".
War just start? Anyone with a pulse is accepted. Three counts of murder? Drug dealing? Missing a limb? Welcome aboard.
Can I join the army if I have Crohn’s disease?
I got medically disqualified because of epilepsy and an internal medical device
my uncle wanted to serve in vietnam but his feet were too flat
he was lucky bro,that was nonsense slaughter
@@peka003 yeah the vietkong played dirtier than the germans in WW1 with all those traps and what not
@@JARJCC97 yeah and im thinking all those guys that died,what they died for?
@@peka003 they died for liberty and freedom but it was very mismanaged correct me if i`m wrong I watched A alternate history on what if we won Vietnam and the result is.................nothing changes we just keep the commies out of Vietnam but hey at least we got some sweet tunes out of it let their memories and their effort not be forgotten and go in vain
@@JARJCC97 okay usa is what you call lib eral and democratic but why you have to force others to follow your ideology,they got used to live in their system,destroying country and killing your own man in name of ideology is everything but democratic
I really need to know does flat feet disqualify your from ranger assessment selection program. RASP or Ranger school? Plz answer!!!
I don’t think so bro im pretty sure you can get a waiver for flat feet
@@AlexHernandez-ew4pq thx
I have a Varicocele of an unspecified grade. What is your take on it? (Or any of you knowledgeable guys in the comments)
The ASVAB is so basic. I got an 85 without studying.
how hard is it please get back to me
@@reaperx1236 it's all relative. I found it easy. I also have college under my belt.
@@chris-dd6uq what's the hardest thing also if a person coming out of high school taking the test, would it be hard
@@reaperx1236 Again, it is all relative. It depends on what you're strong and weak at. For example, I have very limited knowledge of auto shop and I'm also weak at mechanical comprehension and electronics information. I have a better understanding of math knowledge, paragraph comprehension and word knowledge.
Take the practice tests online.
@@chris-dd6uq thanks lifesaver
I remember getting a wavier for hearing loss, and then I was briefly disqualified from my selected rate (MOS), and then requality for it.
That felt like my longest week of boot camp 😅.
Im wanting to join but im needing to get my wisdom teeth taken out but i dont got the money or anything for it so im worried that it could be a reason for them not to let me join
Go meet a recruiter he'll let you know. Who knows maybe they could even cost it.
To add to the ADHD medication one, it's the same for depression. When I tried to enlist in 2008/2009, I was told that would likely DQ me at MEPs and I needed to stay on that medication for a long time; not something I could fake and lie about. In retrospect it was probably a good thing I didn't because after reading more I wouldn't have done well in the Army with it & aspergers, but during that time as a JROTC kid, that was sort of devastating.
I suck at math I’m hoping they accept me into 11b regardless after I take it 😩☹️
I know a person who exaggerated slightly on his paperwork on his job history and such they crawled up his butt for 2 years before he finally got his security clearance they didn't kick him out but they made his life miserable and kept him in limbo for quite a while.
Sorry if this has been asked before, but I've just started doing my research to prepare myself before contacting a recruiter:
I have two misdemeanors on my record. Will a recruiter ask me about my background during our first meeting? And if they don't, when should I expect to talk about it or bring it up on my own?
Depends why u got a misdemeanor
I’m a caregiver. I work with a client who smokes marijuana and I get 2nd hand smoke. If I’m able to get some proof about the clients marijuana smoke from my employer will they take that? And YES I DON’T SMOKE MARIJUANA.
I believe it's actually difficult to get detectable amounts of marijuana in your system just from secondhand smoke. If you did get enough to show up on a drug test, it is unlikely they will give you a pass for that, as I'm sure that could be an easy excuse for someone who is actually using it. I don't even know if a letter from someone would help. But I still think it's difficult to end up with enough in your system from secondhand smoke, but always check with a recruiter to see if they have had others in the same situation and how that went for them.
@@christopherchaos thanks for the reply. MEPS tomorrow down here in Albuquerque and I’m very nervous!
My recruiter straight up told me to lie in meps about my iron deficiency. I'm worried it will come up in meps when they test my blood however, I've been taking iron medication and eating iron rich foods. Will being anemic affect my potential to enlist?
idk im 13 lol
@@kskisthename107 then don’t anwser
Have your PCP do an iron test before you go to MEPS.
Thanks fr info
In the Army went down from 42 to 35 last I checked...
It was 35 but recently it must have changed because right now if you reference the max age limit for the US army as an enlisted soldier then you will find that the official Army web site says 32 while other sources say 35. So this is simply base on the info the Army is currently puting out on their official site.
Damn! You’re right, the Army changed AGAIN! They want younger and younger recruits...🤷🏻♂️
@christopherchaos hey man I have a couple questions ! I am trying to join the army right now . I took my fingerprints to check my back ground and now waiting for the ok I know I need a waiver or two I have a dui from 9 years ago and also another misdemeanor case from 9 years ago I’m anxious to know if I would be accepted
Before researching other people in CZcams I would go to directly to the website of the army branch you want to get into. CZcams can't guarantee crap
I got knee surgery ( knee popped out of place back 2009 ) just a small screw. My sergeant after 8 month ( with 4 months of physical therapy ) cleared me and have written a letter for able to go active duty. Will that disqualify me?
I’m going to need to change a lot to join. I hope I’ll make it
Question, i have old self harm scars from over 4 years ago. I went to the doctor to get them stitched up. Thats old me, i dont have depression or anxiety or anything like that i just made a dumb choice. Im wondering if i could get a waiver fir it if i prove im not depressed or anything.
That's going to depend on the doctors at MEPS. I've heard it go either way but you really won't know till you see the MEPS doctor.
I had shoulder surgery 5 years ago, everything is great now, I have doctors reports saying I have no restrictions for military service, and MEPs is still being annoying and my recruiter has stopped returning my calls and takes days to reply to an email or text. I thought I was good :/
How did meps find out..?
Unfortunately, I'm on medication for anxiety. The anxiety is gone, but I'm still on the meds. I want to join still, especially since there's a recruiting crisis, but none of the branches will take me.
It sucks, but that's life.
There’s a recruiting crisis for a reason.
You have to be off medication for a certain amount of time I believe so go to a doctor and tell them you aren’t required medication and when they run the tests and see you don’t need medication wait out the time I believe it’s 6 months without medication and be symptom free and try again
I was diagnosed with epilepsy when I was really young , I’m 22 now and no longer see a neurologist or take medicine and it’s been around 12 years since there have been any seizures or any symptoms I use to experience. Would this disqualify me or possibly be waived , I don’t believe I’ll be able to keep it from my recruiter or mess seeing it’s a documented diagnosis.
Any updates I have epilepsy as well and was wondering if I could join
If I'm not mistaken there is a program in yhe Army where you will go for a few weeks to get your GED before you head to BCT. I had a few soldiers that went through this when I was in.
Can you talk about the DUI Holidays? Do they still have these?
What?
@@lelandgaunt9985 These would be an extra day off, usually a Friday before a regular Monday Holliday. If your unit had 180 days or more without a DUI, we would get that Friday off. If not we would be working. When I first got to the unit it was like 600 plus days, then there were like 5 in a row. Seemed like every weekend we wre hearing about it. My friends just drunk in the barricks. Cheaper and no DUI.
@@franchello1105
Sorry, I forgot all about those, yes I remember very well. Those were good incentives to do the right thing.
I have a mental illness, I am under the care of a doctor, I thought about joining the service, but due to my condition I can't join the service. I hope those who decide to join, do so with pride, Thank you.
My dad planned to join the military, he was so close but he messed up by saying "I am joining the military to kill." Lucky he didn't pursue iit farther because, I wouldn't be here today.
If he wanted to join badly enough, why didn’t he go to a different recruiter?
I don’t think you mentioned this but I have a peanut allergy, would I be disqualified?? Or could that potentially be waiverable??
I’ve never had a serious reaction in the past thankfully but the doctor did say it is anaphylactic. However I was tested a long time ago when I was younger and I could have grown out of it, but I wouldn’t know unless I was blood tested again. If I were to be tested and the allergy results were negative could I possibly still join the army? And if the results come back positive, am i immediately disqualified??
What if you one of your parents was in the military and his/her child was covered under tricare, will the doctors at meps have med records on file? Also what about the pre-enlistment questionnaire, is that handed off to the administrators at meps? Thank you for your time.
I need an answer to this too
@@chairsdaily7526 I THINK they will ? I was reading up on military experiences on Reddit and there was a case where someone got discharged because they got caught for lying about some medical reason and they were under tricare and from what I remember people saying , everything is so easily accessible with it and will be hard to not disclose anything because they have access to it
I had a meniscus repair surgery when I was15 year old. I am currently 33 do I need a waiver or that disqualified me?
I wanted to join the Army and possibly try to become a Practical Nursing Specialist but I would need at least four different waivers: One for scars I have from self-mutilation, one for a history of depression and anxiety, one for ADHD, one for Astigmatism and one for having two misdemeanors on my record.
Yeah, I am not even going to waste my time trying to get in....
I had to get waivers for drug charges, gun charges, reckless speeding charge and for only having a GED. I didnt tell them I was taking adderall for adhd and it took me 5 weeks to clean my piss of the THC. My recruiter helped me so much and 5 months after starting the process I was off to basic training. By the way I had most of my criminal record expunged. If you want to join, just do it.
I'm worse off than you I have an unwaiverable condition that is not severe just the fact I have it on paper is messing with me.
Recruiter called me last week because I went to the Go Army website. Asked me some of the basic questions, as soon as he heard I passed highschool with a 3.8 GPA, Took College Courses on Cyber Security (in highschool) and that I was more than willing to take a piss test (also don't drink/smoke), I could HEAR him foaming at the mouth. Dude was like 'It's okay if you've packed on some weight after highschool, just come on down we'll share a pizza, get you sorted out.' I guess he input some of my basic information into the system, because two days later the fucking air force called me begging me to come down to the recruiting office.
Apparently someone let word slip that there is a 21 year old who doesn't do drugs, and isn't stupid that wants to enlist. Now every recruiter in my state from all branches (expect space force and coast guard) are HOUNDING me. It's like a bidding war, at first it was 'oh yeah you can enlist E-1 no big deal.' Now they're trying to give me rankups, bonuses, confirmed school entries (like airborne/air assault.), and the ARMY recruiter is apparently pulling strings with COs to make sure there is room for the MOS I want. I got a call from a fucking Captain asking me if I knew a Staff Sergeant and if I was interested in getting a 'fast pass to a nice MOS' The military are fucking hounds dude.