I'm 17 and have been thinking about joining the military in the next few years. Coast Guard is my first choice, but after looking around on the internet I'm questioning whether or not its even worth the try. During freshman year of highschool I was deemed a truancy case because I was missing a lot of days and skipping classes. That forced me into Truancy Court. At truancy court they ordered a drug test and I failed for marijuana. They ordered me to attend drug classes. Getting clean was a struggle, and I was sent to in-patient rehab. I completed, but I'm sure my discharge summary was colorful since I was mad at the world for being there and went out of my way to let them know I was not there by choice. During that treatment I was diagnosed with depression, anxiety, oppositional defiance disorder and insomnia. I recieved medicine for this. When I got home I was ordered to attend counselling and see a psychiatrist. That psychiatrist decided I was Bi-Polar Type 2 and had ADD along with the insomnia. I never got the meds for the bipolar because Ive seen people zombie-like while on it. The ADD meds made me feel sick and I never saw a noticeable difference. Almost a year ago I quit taking all meds and don't see a therapist. I didn't agree with their diagnosis and all the meds they kept trying to put me on. With my court case closed at age 16 I was able to do this. I honestly feel fine, normal. I've had no major mood swings, no depressive behavior. I am rational and intelligent- advanced placed classes since age 8. I know my past is worrisome, but presently I am a different person. I have no interest in doing the things I used to. I dont want to hear "You shouldn't have done this in the first place." I KNOW. I know I messed up and want to redeem myself. Do my 'dark years' automatically disqualify me forever? If I wait a few years, which I don't want to I want to join right out of highschool, will that help? Is there something I can do to prove my abilities and dedication? Prove I am mentally stable? Someway I can get the doctors to change their opinions? Anything at all I can do, or is it a lost cause? I want this. More than anything I've wanted before. The drug issue really confuses me because my step-brother was a heavy user and was involved with drug court, but was able to join the marines a year after getting clean. Is it the same for all milita

Military* I'm typing this up on a phone if there's more typos.

The drug classes COULD be a disqualifier, but only MEPS can make that determination for sure. It will be up to your recruiter whether or not they want to process you as an applicant.

Okay, thank you for taking the time to answer this.
Where do I find a recruiter? Wait for one to show up at school?

Go to www.gocoastguard.com and click on the "find a recruiter" link. There's less than 100 recruiting offices in the entire Coast Guard, so the likelihood of us visiting your school are minimal.

You are probably facing an uphill battle and I have no way of knowing what the outcome will be. BUt I do wish you the best of luck in whatever you persue. I do hope you have a great life, as a Coastie or another profession if it doesn't work. Good for you for getting clean and please, regardless of any road blocks you might hit, please stay clean. Your past might hurt you but please don't let it stop you from achieving a fantastic life from here forward. Best of luck.

+ 1 Old Guard...

I sent you a PM mel...maybe it might help, regardless I wish you the best!

I actually misread your post the first time around. I thought they were just drug education classes. Because you were in an inpatient drug treatment program, the Coast Guard will not process you for enlistment. However, being that all the military branches have different standards, I would encourage you to check out your options with the other services.

I'm prior uscg mk3 looking to get back in I got out feb2012 any luck on getting back in? Can anyone help?

You could try, but it would be tough to keep your prior rate/rating. I had a similar experience when a YN2 that got out in October called me recently. She went from active to reserves, and wanted to come back active. The higher ups basically said there's no room to bring them back. There are a lot of scenarios that could happen, but the first step would be to call your local recruiting office and fill out an application.

Thank you I really want back in! I have an honorable discharge with a re-entry code of re-1. How do you create a topic on here?

Click on the forum that fits the category of your question (I.e. General questions). At the top of the screen, click on post new topic.

Did you call the Greensboro, NC office with your question earlier today?

Yes I called earlier today

I thought the question sounded familiar.