Bro just enlisted

I'm in Maryland and my brother is in North Carolina.

My brother tried to kill himself via hanging with a girl on the phone while telling her what he was doing.
Furthermore my family appears to have a history of mental illness, such as endless rage, depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.

I don't think my brother's recruiter is aware of what my bro could do in a high pressure situation like boot camp, since of my two brothers both have attempted suicide at some point.

Of course my brother tried in middle school but he's 18 now. I'm worried I might lose someone, so is there anyway to explain to MEPS or his Marine recruiter that he needs a thorough mental evaluation beforehand?

My father has disowned me at this point and because of this I'm no longer close enough to help. He probably lied to the recruiter about any suicidal thoughts.
But I digress he might kill himself or get offed by the war.

Is there anyway I can help? I doubt he knows what he's getting into.

 

If he was hospitalized for any of these and it was recorded as attempted suicide, then they should find out when they check his medical records. If not, I don't see why you couldn't contact the recruitment center and inform them. Ultimately they would want to know this as well, so I would imagine they would be willing to listen to you and take it seriously.

 

Step 1: Don't ask for advice in a video game forum.
Step 2: I would first try the local recruiter and see WTF is up. They may not weed him out that quickly.

 

If I were you I'd try to talk to someone who's NOT getting evaluated based on how many people they can get into Marine boot camp.

 

Not necessarily. The military is so desperate for numbers these days, they're willing to turn a blind eye to some pretty shocking things.

If you have some time you might watch this. It presents some pretty revealing stories/incidents that you would never imagine the military would let slide (such as redeploying a psychologically unstable soldier while facing charges of domestic violence and assault with a deadly weapon).

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/woundedplatoon/view/

 

Also, people with existing mental health issues tend to have issues in bootcamp, and often times put on a medical hold while they're evaluated and then depending on what the docs say, will generally be discharged. At least that was my experience during my tenure in the Air Force and Army.

P.S. Baltimore MEPS sucks ass.

 

This is actually pretty damned false these days. The military in general and the Marine Corps. in particular are actually inundated with an over abundance of candidates these days and are thus more picky with who they accept as an applicant and eventually as a candidate.

I have a friend who is an active Marine Corps. recruiter. I could run this past him if you would like. Although I would just call his recruiter and explain the situation to him. He is going to want to know these things. Even if his numbers drop by 1 for the month, he's not graded based upon how many people he sends off to boot camp, but on how many quality Marines he brings aboard. There's no way in hell that this recruiter wants to see one of his men kill himself or hurt someone later on.

In summary you should call his recruiter and explain to him what you have explained to us. If the guy doesn't seem at all receptive then talk to the SSgt. or GySgt. at the MEPS.
Then be prepared for your brother to be very very pissed at you.

-ServiceGames-

 

They're actually not that desperate anymore, since the economic downturn they've been able to meet the numbers.

One thing you should keep in mind, this might be a good thing for him.

 

Wow everyone thanks for the overwhelming support. My family doesn't want me to say anything. But for safety's sake, I'll find out the Gunnery's name but I do know his Staff Sergeant.

Really the goal here is to keep him alive, my personality dictates precaution to minimize risk.

@Hawanja and Assembler
If they take him anyway.
All the best.
I recognize the potential opportunity he has.

@GaijinPunch
I only go to so many different forums, since all my friends are online or 300 miles away. (assembler, PSPiso, and fantasyanime)

@graphique
You're right I don't know who to talk to that might actually listen.

ServiceGames PM sent

 

Christ...

Nope, they are enlisting anyone these days, even guys with a serious aspergers condition or autistic.

chaoticdaos maybe you could appeal to the fort hood incident, since that was a case of extreme mental breakdown, and from a psychiatrist nonetheless.

Anyways, haven't you thought about getting check for that propensity to depression?

 

Wow Shadowlayer.. I wasn't aware that you had such knowledge of the military and Marine Corps. specifically.. THere is a screening process and they do take it VERY Very seriously. Sure people fall through the cracks on ocassion, but they are generally very cautious and there is no need to be a pretentious dick by reminding the recruiter of a recent event of which he is well aware.

 

Dude I only know that a number of people with the conditions I mentioned made it through bootcamp and then to the war, where it was painfully obvious they werent prepared for it.

 

Sorry to be a dick in a serious topic but some of us here are devs and make our living off games (I've even done 2 psp games).
:dammit:

 

Man, I could not make it through boot camp. I'd either get kicked out immediatey(+probably get my ass kicked) for being such a deconstructionist to the sarge, I would hold it all in and go crazy, or I'd push through the pain and my aorta would explode while running some course.
Basically I am not afraid of the draft.

But anyways, I second (or third or fourth) the notion of getting in contact with his recruiter or... hell, anyone related, and articulate your feelings about the events. I also agree that there's a possiblity that it would be a great thing for him, but that would be assuming it pushes the right buttons in him and not the wrong ones.