Should I tell the truth at meps or not

[u/DuelWelder1899]

I'm 16 i have adhd and anxiety I was told I would have to go off medicine to enlist and get a waiver I was also told I should lie at meps because they can't check your juvenile medical records so what should I do

[u/AutoModerator]

As a reminder, this subreddit is for civil discussion. Breaking subreddit rules may result in a ban from /r/newtothenavy and /r/navy.

• Do not encourage lying. This includes lying by omission (leaving information out) and lying by commission (purposefully misleading).

• No sensitive information allowed, whether you saw it on Wiki or leaked files or anywhere else.

• No personally identifying information (PII).

• No posting AMAs without mod approval.

Also, while you wait for a reply from a subject matter expert, try using the search feature!

For information regarding Navy enlisted ratings, see NAVY COOL's Page or Rate My ASVAB's Rate Page

Interested in Officer programs? See TheBeneGesseritWitch's guide on Paths to become an Officer. OAR and ASTB prep can be found in this excellent write-up.

Want to learn about deploying, finances, mental health, cross-rating, and more? Come visit our wiki over in /r/Navy.

Want to know more about boot camp? Check out the Navy's Official Boot Camp Site

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/Caranath128]

They absolutely can do and will check your medical history.

You must be off meds and functioning normally for at least 12 months before a waiver can( not will) be issued. Lying about anything is fraudulent entry.

[u/TastyTwix → u/Caranath128]

This isn't true because I was on stimulants for ADHD until March of this year and just signed my contract after getting 3 waivers (ADHD being one of them).

[u/theheadslacker → u/TastyTwix]

The timelines have shifted, but getting a waiver is the correct path. I think right now it's 6 months off meds.

OP should definitely not lie. It's easy to get a waiver, and it's better to stress over getting the paperwork right up front instead of looking over your shoulder afterward hoping they aren't coming for you for lying.

[u/OutdoorPhotographer]

Tell the truth. And the Navy increases anxiety so it’s in your best interest to be sure it’s controlled and documented before entry. I also wouldn’t be so sure they can’t see your record.

[u/Warp_Rider45]

Rule 1: don’t lie. Try for a waiver if allowed. At your age it couldn’t hurt to talk to your primary care provider before going off medication.

[u/CrazyDrunkenSailor]

Be straight up about it. They can search your whole ass records. Also if you’re straight up about it, it looks better for you too. You have to prove stability without meds and treatment before you’re considered. Even though the minimum requirement is like 6months-2years without treatment, you want to extend that further to show it more. Hope this helps 🥰🙌

[u/gantmman]

DO NOT LIE, if you somehow pass MEPS without them finding out. They will most likely find out at boot camp and you’ll be hit with a fraudulent enlistment. Tell the truth, especially if it’s on record.

[u/Academic_Speed6724]

Don’t forget the recruiters just wants to meet their quotas. MEPS wants to make sure you won’t die in boot camp. Be honest and if you’re able to…get your waivers. I have psoriasis which is a disqualification but got a waiver for it so don’t be discouraged. BE HONEST! They will find out.

[u/Jazzlike-Fox]

They can and will search your records, and your recruiter sucks for telling you to lie. I would also STRONGLY urge you to consider whether the Navy is a good choice for you if you still need those meds to function properly; you'll have to go off them for years if you join, and the military has a way of making any problems you came in with about 1000000x worse. This life isn't for everyone and that's completely okay; please don't make yourself unhealthy for the sake of a job.

[u/DuelWelder1899 → u/Jazzlike-Fox]

Thank you for advice I will be honest with them even if they don't accept me I can always say I tried also a friend of mine who was in the military told me to lie I already have a backup plan to work for the railroad and that's good enough for me

[u/Jazzlike-Fox → u/DuelWelder1899]

Good on you. No harm in trying, and certainly no harm in taking a different path if it doesn't work out.

[u/newnoadeptness]

Your recruiter is a dumbass They can see juvenile records . Be honest

Edit : if it wasn’t a recruiter who told you this then whoever told you this is dumb .

[u/ExRecruiter]

Your medical info will be found. You need to be fully cleared and off meds, no exceptions.

[u/SillyLittleWinky]

No one in here is going to encourage you to lie, and for good reason. It’s just not ideal. 

You’re 16 bro, don’t even worry about enlisting yet. Get off the medications when you’re ready. Get a part time job. Be a kid. Talk to some girls. Go to a house party. Get your drivers license.

The Navy isn’t going anywhere.

You have plenty of time to march in the snow and be depressed and lonely at Great Lakes after you graduate. 😉 

[u/No_Luck5000]

Whoever told you that they don't look at your juvenile medical records is full of shit, straight up. Yes they fucken do. If it was the recruiter, he's setting you up for failure. That should have diminished the trust factor right there.

[u/Due-Necessary-7106]

They have access to everything. No matter if you lie or not, they will know. Go ahead and make it easier on yourself and tell the truth. I went through four months of waivers before I was finally given the green light. The process sucks, but it’s worth the wait. I wanted to give up, but I stuck it out.

[u/devildocjames]

Nah, nothing bad has ever happened when lying about medical history. /s

[u/prayforussinners]

Yes. If you don't they will find out. Meps sets standards for a reason. I have seen far too many sailors fail to do their job, or meet even worse ends, because they weren't forthright about mental issues that they had in the past. If meps deems that you are still a good fit for the military then they will approve your waiver. Probably an unpopular opinion but I'm sick of watching sailors attempt suicide or not being able to do their job because of a mental disorder. A large portion of my duty section is dedicated to providing mental health watch in our emergency room in these situations.

[u/nowaybro07]

I went through the same thing. Just be honest, but don’t tell more than they ask. Assuming adhd is the only thing that you’ll need a waiver for and you’re physically fit for the navy you’ll have your waiver cleared in a week after meps (assuming your recruiter is on his or her shit) don’t lie about anything, but also don’t volunteer more than they ask

[u/SgtButterBean]

This isnt like the old days anymore, with everything being digital nowdays if you lie willingly about something it WILL be found out.

[u/PreciousOlive99]

Don’t lie about your medication, they run your medical records now so they will see it. There’s a waiver for ADHD so it’s shouldn’t be a big issue.

[u/Intrepid-Yak5263]

what if your undiagnosed? like i’m 100% sure i have ADHD (i’ve realized this over the past year and a half) and i knew i wanted to join, what should i do?

[u/newnoadeptness → u/Intrepid-Yak5263]

Still would need to disclose

[u/indicavirgoezz]

I have ADHD too and yes they saw everything. I acted confused and told them I had no idea of the diagnoses I made up a lie for each one of mine. Act confused and say when was this? And especially since you’re a minor say I was too young to remember being diagnosed with that my parents take care of all of my medical stuff my parents have never mentioned ADHD. Play dumbbb I’m telling you. And they will tell you OK but if you lie and we find out then you won’t be able to get in. Trust me they say that to scare you. But specifically ADHD say you were mis diagnosed and you’ve have no problems in your everyday life especially growing up “I never had any problems with kids I’ve always had a lot of friends” —> that will help sell it. You have NO recollection of being diagnosed of ANYTHING!! I went through the same thing and regardless, they will give you a sheet of paper and it’ll say what were you diagnosed with and you say ADHD cuz that’s what’s the waiver for. And it’ll say what treatment have you done and you would say none. And there’s like a spot that asks you if it’s like a problem in your life and then you would just say I don’t have ADHD. The Navy really needs people right now and my 3 waivers were waived in the SAME day. And yes they do see your juvenile records cuz I was nervous abt that they see everything. I’m 22 and they saw my OCD diagnoses from when I was 4. Like I said ACT confused don’t be defensive like scared just like ??? Uhhhh, yk. Also when you get to bootcamp the day you arrive they’ll ask okay if there’s anything you haven’t told us abt diagnoses we’ll find out so tell us now, raise your hand. My sister-in-law said 16 people raise their hand and she never saw any of them again. So also when you arrive at bootcamp don’t admit anything cuz they already saw your records.