Hello, the problem I have is that when I was little I was supposedly diagnosed with ADD and BiPolar, and because of such I took medication for it, not very long because none of it ever worked which made me believe in hindsight that I didn't even have what was diagnosed. My question is, my recruiter told me that if it has been over 10 years and hasn't affected me and I haven't taken medication for it, that it doesn't matter and I should just leave it out of my information. Is this true? Is there a yearly amount that makes such a thing invalid? I have lived for atleast 10 years with no medication for anything and I have no symptoms anymore. I am worried that since I followed my recruiters guidence and left that out, that I may be putting myself in a position where I can get in trouble, also I strongly feel I was misdiagnosed so I'm also struggling with that feeling.
Also one more question, I have never personally used Marijuana, but a number of my highschool friends did and probably still do, wherever they are, will I be guilty by association? I don't want to get screwed over by my friends mistakes.
Is there a yearly amount that makes such a thing invalid?
No. If you were ever diagnosed with any mental health condition it MUST be documented on your enlistment paperwork and initial physical. There was a reason for the initial diagnosis, providers don't just make stuff up for the fun of diagnosing you.
As William point out the information must be disclosed. They ask those questions for a reason. If you already completed the forms and signed them you should take the necessary steps to get them corrected. The sooner the better.
Don't listen to anyone that advises you to put misleading information on a form.
I was told be a recruiter this past month and wondering how true the statement is since this topic is regarding background checks...
Once the fingerprints are taken at MEPS, I was told it could take up to a few months for the results to come back and most of the people are already gone by the time the results are in..
How long does it take??
Being truthful on all paperwork is the most important thing to do , but just wondering if the recruiters statement above is correct...
that the guys can already be shipped off by the time the checks results are in..
177, Yes it is true that most of the time the background check is not completed prior to DEPpers shipping out. However, the background check will catch up to you sooner or later. For example if you have EVER had any alcohol related incident you will have to be evaluated by a mental health provider. Not sure when DONCAF started this policy but they have been enforcing it.
my recruiter told me that if it has been over 10 years and hasn't affected me and I haven't taken medication for it, that it doesn't matter and I should just leave it out of my information.
Once again...
Rule Number 1: DO NOT LIE!!!
If you do and get caught, it is YOU who gets in trouble, not your recruiter.
Lying by omission (leaving something off the paperwork) is still lying.
Yea what TMC said. If you have to get a clearance for your rating and they find even a small fib you are in trouble. During background checks they will go thru your medical records.
I have already signed the papers and right now I am just waiting to be shipped, but I put on the paper I have never been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD which from what my mother tells me is true, but I have taken Ritalin, which I just found out because I had taken it in elementary school. I had put on the paperwork that I have never taken any medication, should I correct this immediately? I'm worried that because I had no prior knowledge of the medication, because it was so long ago and for such a short period of time, that I may get in trouble for it.
I have never been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD which from what my mother tells me is true, but I have taken Ritalin
Wrong, you can't take a medication without a diagnosis it is illegal and unethical for a doctor to do that. You need to get your medical records and get them to MEPS yesterday.
As far as the finger print thing goes I imagine this is still true for most 18 year olds as it was for me in 79. I was fingerprinted at meps for I think but am not positive the first time.
I know I was finger printed when I put in for my TS clearance 5 years later. At any rate up until when ever that was I had NEVER been finger printed before so I knew they were not going to match anything "on file somewhere" because none at least ID'd to me had ever been taken to put into that file. I am pretty much positive that back then there was not somekind of database/file of "unknown" finger prints collected from say crime scenes that these meps type finger prints were compared to on the odd chance a match would come up. Does something like that exist today I can't say but if you have never been fingerprinted and never left them someplace that they would be "found" then you don't need to worry because that are not going to match anything.
As far as the ADD thing goes, you do have to wonder, remember back in the 90's it all the sudden seemed like every other kid especially boys had ADD and were on Ritalin. It was the quick and easy "diagnosis" A lot, probably most didn't really have it, it was just the easy way out, it's not my/your fault for my/your behavoir "excuse" But here we are 10 years later and some or a lot of those 18-20 year old former Ritalin takers are wanting to join the military and we are telling MILLIONS of them guys we, especailly the ARMY really needs that they can't join, or at least it will be harder to do.
Lying is still lying but if you are a recruiter especally an ARMY recruiter do you really want to hear that those 10 guys that will make your goal this month all took Ritalin from ages 8 to 12??
