Policies may differ from one command to another even within the same base and a command can change policy without warning. The military normally will not discharge a member with a short-term and treatable condition.
The military assumes that discharges under this section are initiated by a commanding officer when a problem comes to his or her attention, usually by way of military medical or psychiatric reports. It is useful to talk frankly with immediate superiors and others higher in the command about your symptoms and feelings.
Although commands can be unreceptive to emotional or physical problems, you can try to approach them like a patient seeking help. An outright request for discharge often meets with absolute rejection. It is more useful to show the commanding officer the evidence of the problem, explain the feelings and symptoms briefly, and simply ask for help.
This gives the command the opportunity to recommend discharge on their own initiative. You can mention all symptoms which affect your performance and ability to function in the military, and perhaps role-play a few hostile questions. You can try being open without minimizing your symptoms, and you may want to avoid becoming antagonistic. Military psychiatrists are on the lookout for exaggeration of symptoms.
You can talk about why you are not able to perform your duties, and avoid framing the conversation with the military psychiatrist around a desire for discharge. It is essential that you do not lay all blame for your condition on the military. Military psychiatrists can be friendly and supportive, but it is not unusual to find rude, unconcerned, or openly hostile doctors. You may actually be harassed or insulted by the psychiatrist, and you may want to resist the temptation to respond in kind.
Most psychiatrists can be persuaded to take your problems seriously if you persist in discussing them. Military psychiatrists will often diagnose the condition and may recommend discharge after the first interview.
If this does not happen if they fail to recognize the condition, or diagnose a less serious condition , it may be necessary to make repeated visits to the psychiatrist until it seems the doctor understands the seriousness of the problem. Also, you should have documentation that proves how your condition impacts other parts of your life. Speak openly without minimizing the impact of your condition with your commanding officer or immediate supervisors.
From there, your commanding officer has discretion regarding supporting your request for a discharge. In the case of a potential disability discharge, a medical officer must recommend an evaluation to determine the degree of disability.
Then, the paperwork goes in front of a Medical Evaluation Board to determine the next steps or if a disability discharge will happen. There are many different types of depression, and some service members wonder about a medical discharge for depression. Some depression and treatments for depression bar you from joining the military in the first place. However, sometimes depression occurs later in life and while some types of depression are treatable others get in the way of your life and job.
However, while many types of depression are typically treatable, this is not the case for everyone. Therefore, even treatable depression could lead to a medical discharge for depression if the symptoms continue for a long period of time. Military Disqualifications for Mental Health. Military Medical Waiver Guide. The Navy are way better at this then the Army, I spent a while with some Navy chaps at Collingwood and was surprised how much thought goes into looking after their people especially Marines returning to a ship after an op.
All services have come on a long way, it has now become the norm to talk about mental health and there is much more support out there.
Nobody forced ppl to join the Armed forces!!!! The claim culture is a serious threat to our Armed forces long term any future left wing government would try to destroy the the Armed forces with the claim culture spinning out of control. Blame and claim its a disgrace. Yes there are a few lads who see an option of a few quid thrown there way, a few lads who see it as a way out and a few who want to get back at the organisation who gave them a job and who they feel have wronged them.
There needs to be a cultural change in the armed forces and encouraging people to not hide problems. Combine that with free confidential counselling services, where to outcome is not shared with the armed forces to avoid people being scared of using it. Sign in. Log into your account. Privacy Policy. Password recovery. Forgot your password?
Get help. UK Defence Journal. Home Analysis Mental health related discharges triple in British Army. Soldiers on a Challenger 2 Tank. British troops train for urban warfare with robots. The Welsh Cavalry prepares for Mali deployment.
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Rules for military pilots are even stricter than those for general armed forces enlistment. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign Up.
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