I want to join the army but am diagnosed with bipolar.

[DanilW]

I am going to be completely honest here.

I am a 23 years old Russian immigrant US citizen and have been diagnosed with bipolar and had depression when I was younger. I was hospitalized inpatient 8 times since I was a child. I had self harmed when I was 15 and am on risperdol. I have a family member in the air force and have always had a great respect for the military. I am on disability and in public housing since I got out of Rykers island for a case where the charges have been dropped. I want to make something of myself. I do have strong dedication to something when I want to do it and it does not change. I do not have a high school diploma but I am studying for my GED. I had overdosed on my medication 4 years ago in a shelter. I am physically fit. I am 6'5 1/2 and 243 lbs and can run a 7:12 mile and do 45 push ups and 200 sit ups.

Be honest with me. Is there any possible way I can join the service and if not at the time is there anything I can do to possibly join later?

 

[Todjaeger]

I am going to be completely honest here.

I am a 23 years old Russian immigrant US citizen and have been diagnosed with bipolar and had depression when I was younger. I was hospitalized inpatient 8 times since I was a child. I had self harmed when I was 15 and am on risperdol. I have a family member in the air force and have always had a great respect for the military. I am on disability and in public housing since I got out of Rykers island for a case where the charges have been dropped. I want to make something of myself. I do have strong dedication to something when I want to do it and it does not change. I do not have a high school diploma but I am studying for my GED. I had overdosed on my medication 4 years ago in a shelter. I am physically fit. I am 6'5 1/2 and 243 lbs and can run a 7:12 mile and do 45 push ups and 200 sit ups.

Be honest with me. Is there any possible way I can join the service and if not at the time is there anything I can do to possibly join later?

The only way to know for sure would be to talk to a recruiter. Having said that, consider looking at the Army's "Standards of Medical Fitness" which can give you an idea. In terms of people with a history of mental health or medical issues, it appears that if they are currently receiving care, especially care requiring medication (those with diabetes for example) they would be ineligible.

Some conditions I believe can receive a waiver, but that would typically need to be issued by the appropriate type of specialist and would have to be something like two years or more after the need for care/medication ended.

 

[DanilW]

The only way to know for sure would be to talk to a recruiter. Having said that, consider looking at the Army's "Standards of Medical Fitness" which can give you an idea. In terms of people with a history of mental health or medical issues, it appears that if they are currently receiving care, especially care requiring medication (those with diabetes for example) they would be ineligible.

Some conditions I believe can receive a waiver, but that would typically need to be issued by the appropriate type of specialist and would have to be something like two years or more after the need for care/medication ended.

Thank you for the reply. I will speak with my recruiter tomorrow. Thank you.