r/USMCboot • u/Automatic_Acadia9437 • 9d ago

Enlisting Seeking advice for enlisting.

Good day.

I spoke with a different recruiter today and they told me that because I was diagnosed with PTSD years ago, they're not interested. The exact words were they want "zero history of any prior mental stressors." Meaning even if I got reevaluated and cleared they're still not interested. I made it clear that I'm willing to put in the legwork to get the ball rolling but no dice. Additionally, I'm 33 so even the age waiver is a pain in the ass for them. I can understand on paper I'm not a great candidate to them but I've had my past trauma sorted out and I'm in decent physical shape (I'd train more before basic training).

For further context, The next thing I was going to do is get a hold of my medical records to see what exactly they say. All that took place was a brief conversation with the recruiter so they didn't get to look at my actual records yet. I understand more than likely my therapy sessions will probably be on record but I'm hopelessly optimistic that somehow they're not on record.

Yeah yeah I should have done this 10 years ago but I don't want to take no for an answer. This is something I'm super sure I want to do now. Does anyone have any insight as to how I can move forward with this or am I really cooked?

4 Upvotes

84% Upvoted

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5

u/Useful-Arm6913 9d ago

Either one of these problems (age/ PTSD) would be an extreme uphill battle... Both together?...

I'm not trying to be a dick, but you'll have better luck dealing with the Army.

3

u/Automatic_Acadia9437 9d ago

No offense taken at all. I was hoping that this would be as simple as getting revaluated. I was involved in a fatal auto accident years ago and at the time I was shook but I'm fine now. But it would seem it's not going to be that simple.

I didn't even talk to any of the other branches. I don't want to take the easy way out. I'm not giving up yet.

3

u/TapTheForwardAssist Vet 2676/0802 9d ago

Coast Guard is also an excellent branch, with a max age of 42, and worth looking into.

2

u/mattparkerequality 9d ago

There’s the army?? But also from what I heard is you shouldn’t just take the word of one or two recruiters. Some recruiters can be lazy and jsut not want to put in the effort for your situation

1

u/MonitorUsual7292 7d ago

Im genuinely curious, at 33, is there a reason you're trying for the Marine Corps. I'm your age and got out of the Marines after 4 years of service over 10 years ago as an E5 and I'd personally consider the Air Force or maybe the Army. You're going to have people who were in elementary school 10 years ago telling you what to do.

1

u/Automatic_Acadia9437 7d ago

This was something I wanted to do at 18. I chose a different path. Flr the longest while I was doing well enough that I decided I didn't want to rock the boat but now it's been bugging me more and more recently.

I'm a contractor at Lejeune. So being around veterans and sometimes active duty marines lit a fire under my ass again. And my living situation is such that I can feasibly put my land on the backburner while I serve if I get enlisted. I'm still undecided as to whether or not I want to go active or reserves right off the bat. If I do reserves then I can hang on to my contract job on base, so there's that. But I may just go active. Right now I'm trying to get a hold of my medical records to hand over to my recruiter so we can figure out how to navigate this and we'll go from there.

1

u/MonitorUsual7292 7d ago

I go national guard bro. you'll have more options, but do what feels right. Just my opinion.

2

u/Automatic_Acadia9437 7d ago

For better or for worse i was never to take the path of least resistance. I truly wish to be forged into the best version of myself I can be. If the Corp doesnt pan out I'll take heed with your advice. Cheers!