Realistically, how easy is it to lie about past mental health issues at MEPS?

Chadwick Schmelz: Your friend is an idiot. Plan and simple. Read, comprehend what Provost is saying. PRISON! FINE! Dishonorable Discharge that will follow him for life... Really, really stupid.

Gwenda Micheals: When he enlists, we take him at his word about his health history. There is a block that states:WARNING: The information you have given constitutes an official statement. Federal law provides severe penalties (up to 5 years confinement or a $10,000 fine or both), to anyone making a false statement. If you are selected for enlistment, commission, or entrance into a commissioning program based on a false statement, you can be tried by military courts-martial or meet an administrative board for discharge and could receive a less than honorable discharge that would affect your future.Now, if he lies and doesn't ever have any episode that brings his mental health up as an issue, he will be good to go.But, if he ever (even 10 years later on in his career) go! es off on someone, has any other mental breakdown or issue, they will look up his previous health history (including mental health), and when they discover he lied, that warning statement kicks in....Show more

Arnulfo Seegars: The consequences WHEN he us caught include a charge called Fraudulent Enlistment, a Federal felony. That can include a Court Martial, two years in Federal prison, and a $250,000 fine.Even one hospitalization for mental issues is a permanent DQ with no waiver possible.Tell your friend to find a satisfying civilian career path....Show more

Jesusita Dykhoff: Medical and Psychiatric records are private. Otherwise everyone can look at them including your Pastor, friends and employer. If you tell them you had mental issues in the past, you would either have to sign a waiver in order for them to see them or bring a copy of the records. The problem lies with NCO's. They can tell something may not be right about you and force you to get a psych ev! al. Just keep this in mind when you do not divulge all the inf! ormation.