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Hard Charger
 
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I need a little info. A buddy of mine wants to go to OCS through the National Guard. He's really smart and he's a good planner, and he's a hard worker, etc... etc... I'd follow this guy and he's not currently in the military. He's never served before, but I can't think of a better person to become and officer. That being said, it turns out that a doctor prescribed him Prozac when his father died and he took it for a couple of years. Recently, he decided that it was silly and he didn't need it and that he probably didn't need it in the first place. Anyway, the recruiter told him this would make him a no go and that he would have to say no to whatever question, brought it up. This guy has a lot of integrity, which is an army value. He cannot lie about it. I personally feel he shouldn't have to, considering the way doctors just throw drugs at everything. He wants to branch MI, so there's yet another wrinkle. How can you tell a lie and be expected to not be a lier? You can't.
I don't know if Blacksmith Six can help me here, but I need to know how he can get a waiver for this. The guy is one of the sharpest guys I know, or have ever known and his head and heart are in the right place. He really wants to serve. What can he do?
A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools.
http://www.partamian.net/blog/
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Strac Trooper
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From my experience in Recruiting if you are taking Prozac it is a disqualifier. However it also depends on how long its been since he last took it. If its been a few years it should be ok with a waiver. The NG goes by some different rules though. As for the lying, if they dont ask then is it lying? Id say go to a different Recruiter. It also depends on how bad he wants in. Im sure there are even MI people that got in by leaving out some information. I know I did. They dont check past medical records and if for some reason he does have to start taking it again, Im sure they wont ask if hes taken it before.
"The sergeant is the Army." - General Dwight D. Eisenhower
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Hard Charger
Group: Past PNET Supporter
Last Login: 8/25/2008 6:33 PM
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He doesn't need it. He said that he talked to the doctor for a few minutes and the doc gave him a prescription for Prozac. I think he stopped taking it a few months ago. I didn't know he had been taking it till he told me about talking to the recruiter today. This guy is a good friend and also my workout buddy. I can't tell any difference in him between a year ago and now.
As far as suggesting he now go to a different recruiter, or leave out some stuff... I don't know if I can advise him to do that. I mean, he's trying to go to OCS... you know... We don't lie, cheat, steal or tolerate those who do. This is an integrity issue. There should be a way that he can become the voluble asset that I know he will be without the truth bending.
This guy is definitely cut out to be a leader. He'd make a great soldier.
A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools.
http://www.partamian.net/blog/
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Strac Trooper
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I think he has to have not taken the meds for a few years to be eligible. And on top of that there has to be something from a doctor saying he hasnt taken it for so many years and is doing fine. But like I said before the NG plays by some different rules because the state is involved. If the Recruiter tells him no then I guess the Recruiter is either lazy and doesnt want to do extra work or he's looked into and the answer is no. Has your friend thought of the Reserves? Reserves is Federal so they play by different rules. I can tell you however that I had a kid come in that had taken Prozac and I couldnt do anything with him. He wanted to join anything, so I sent him to the Marines  .
PS- I'll see if I still have my Recruiter books and look it up and get back to you.
"The sergeant is the Army." - General Dwight D. Eisenhower
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Hard Charger
Group: Past PNET Supporter
Last Login: 8/25/2008 6:33 PM
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Thanks!
You know... I feel kind of like he's just gotten the shaft. You're dad dies, you happen to mention to your doctor how bummed out you are and a door gets closed. Don't get me wrong, medications do a lot of good for a lot of people, but I think we have lazy doctors who just presribe whatever. Antibiotics, zoloft, Ritilin... whatever.
A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools.
http://www.partamian.net/blog/
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JR's Chick
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| I agree with mudpup on this one. With medical stuff, there's no concrete answer a recruiter can give, it's up to the MEPS docs to allow the waiver. The situation does sound like it could be waiverable, given the circumstances of taking the medication. I'd get the timeline together (father's death, when prescribed meds, how long taken, and how long he's been off the meds) and validate that by a doctor, along with a statement that your friend no longer needs prozac. Recruiting rules and waivers constantly change, the recruiter should make an effort.
Blacksmith Six
"I'm normally not a praying man, but if you're up there, please save me Superman!" -Homer Simpson
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Hard Charger
Group: Past PNET Supporter
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Thanks, I passed that on to him.
A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools.
http://www.partamian.net/blog/
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Regular Joe
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Don't lie, don't leave anything out. It may not seem like a big deal now, but if he is ever in a position to need a TS-SBI you can bet that information will come out.
Kurt V We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;For he to-day that sheds his blood with meShall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,This day shall gentle his condition:And gentlemen in England now a-bedShall think themselves accursed they were not here,And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaksThat fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.
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