What disqualifies you from the military?

Asked by: Paula Champlin  |  Last update: November 1, 2023
Score: 4.4/5 (14 votes)

These disqualifications can include illegal drug use, alcohol dependence, not meeting height/weight requirements, having certain contagious diseases, among others. Additionally, law violations can prevent you from enlisting, such as being convicted of any crime that prohibits you from carrying a firearm.

What disqualifies you from joining the military?

Medical conditions, criminal history, age, physical fitness, and drug abuse can all disqualify you from joining the Army.
  • Failure to disclose any criminal convictions.
  • Providing false or misleading information.
  • Failing to pass a background check.
  • Not meeting the minimum requirements for the position.

Can you get into the military with a criminal record?

Having a criminal record will not automatically disqualify someone from joining the military. There is the option of obtaining a Criminal Record Waiver for less serious offenses, such as the following: Minor traffic offenses. Juvenile offenses.

What is permanently disqualified from the military service?

A Permanent Disqualification is for a medical condition that is permanent. A surgery is a permanent condition because it cannot be undone. A surgery doesn't necessarily mean you cannot serve, it just means MEPS cannot process your 2807-2 without additional information.

Can you join the military if you take medication?

Recruiters generally tell applicants that they must be off medication for a considerable length of time — by far the most important measure to take — and show that they are able to function properly while off medication prior to starting the enlistment process and to be considered for a waiver.

What could disqualify you from joining Army or even the military

42 related questions found

What prescription drugs are not allowed in the military?

Unprescribed consumption of prescription drugs, such as anti-ADHD medication, steroids, and opiates, banned diet drugs (such as Ephedra) and Benzodiazepines (such as Valium or other prescription anti-anxiety or anti-convulsant medicines) is prohibited.

Is ADHD allowed in the military?

While ADHD alone does not disqualify a person from military service, the Department of Defense (DOD) places significant enlistment restrictions on individuals with an ADHD diagnosis and/or prior treatment with medication. Has documentation of adverse academic, occupational, or work performance.

Can anxiety get you disqualified from the military?

However, the general rule is that you cannot enter the Armed Forces if you required inpatient or outpatient care related to an anxiety disorder in the last 12 months. Additionally, the Department of Defense examines if any treatment has been prescribed for the disorder in the last 36 months.

How many people are ineligible for joining the military?

A slide detailing the findings from the Pentagon's 2020 Qualified Military Available Study shared with Military.com shows a 6% increase from the latest 2017 Department of Defense research that showed 71% of Americans would be ineligible for service.

What is the height requirement for the Army?

Army Height Minimums And Maximums

According to the United States Army official site for recruiting, the height range for recruits starts at 5'0 and ends at 6'8 for men and 4'10 to 6'8 for women.

What felonies are not allowed in the military?

felony crime of rape, sexual abuse, sexual assault, incest, any other sexual offense, or when the disposition requires the person to register as a sex offender. In these cases, the enlistment, appointment, or induction will be prohibited and no waivers are allowed. (iv) Has been previously separated from the Military ...

How far back does a military base background check go?

They go back up to 10years. If everything is admitted up front you can receive a waiver.

Does the military check your background?

As with any employer, the scope of the background check may vary depending on the position at hand. All military recruits or applicants will be required to submit a questionnaire disclosing information about their background. Questions may pertain to anything from criminal history to past drug use.

What are 3 reasons not to join the military?

5 Reasons Not to Join the Military
  • You want an education and have at least $100,000 just sitting around for you to use. ...
  • You absolutely do not want to have a job that gives you any kind of vacation time. ...
  • You get a scared feeling every time you even think about leaving your hometown.

Can you join the military with a bad background?

Moral standards of acceptability for service are designed to disqualify the following kinds of persons: Individuals under any form of judicial restraint (bond, probation, imprisonment or parole). Those with significant criminal records. Persons convicted of felonies may request a waiver to permit their enlistment.

What makes you unfit for military service?

Examples of medical conditions that might affect your fitness for duty include: post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health disorders. traumatic brain injury (TBI) vision or hearing loss.

What is the hardest U.S. military to join?

The hardest military branch to get into in terms of education requirements is the Air Force. The military branch with the toughest basic training is the Marine Corps. The hardest military branch for non-males because of exclusivity and male dominance is the Marine Corps. What is the smallest military branch?

Who Cannot join the US Army?

If you are found trafficking, selling, or distributing narcotics, including marijuana. If you have three or more convictions related to driving while intoxicated, drugged, or impaired in the past five years before joining. If you are convicted for five or more misdemeanors.

Is the U.S. military struggling to recruit?

The U.S. military is having trouble attracting new recruits. The Army is having a particularly hard time. It missed its goal of new recruits by fifteen thousand last year. This year, it's on track to miss its goal by twenty thousand new recruits.

What mental illnesses are not allowed in the military?

Mood Disorders

You're also disqualified if you have bipolar disorder or affective psychoses. For depressive disorders (for example, major depressive disorder), disqualification from the service occurs if a person had outpatient care that lasted for more than 12 months or any inpatient care.

Do antidepressants disqualify you from the military?

Response 1: Antidepressants are disqualifying for one year after you stop taking them. You must stop with your doctor's advice; do not stop on your own. These medications often have to be reduced slowly to lower side effects and reduce risk of relapse.

Can you join the military if you have depression?

Depression in the Military Environment

Having a previously diagnosed mental health condition such as depression can actually be a disqualifying factor for service in the United States military, though individuals may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Can I take Adderall in the military?

Each branch of the military has its own rules regarding enlisting with ADHD and regarding ADHD medication. Generally, people who are enlisted are not permitted to take ADHD medication, particularly stimulant medication.

Can you join the military with tattoos?

It prohibits any tattoos on the head, face, neck, wrists, hands, or above the t-shirt collar. Essentially, any visible body tattoos are prohibited. The only exception is one ring tattoo per hand where a regular ring would lie.

Can you join military with bipolar?

USA Today reported that those with a history of “self-mutilation,” bipolar disorder, depression and drug and alcohol abuse will be permitted to get waivers to enlist, according to documents obtained by the publication.