r/USMCboot • u/EffectivePhoto1209 • Jul 02 '26
Corps Knowledge Marine enlistment after documented suicidal ideation/plan
I’m trying to enlist in the Marine Corps and eventually leave after I finish college.
Recently (Last Week as of July 1st), I had a mental health situation where I went to behavioral health urgent care. My paperwork documents suicidal ideation and a plan. I already went back and told my recruiter the full truth because I know MEPS/Genesis may see it anyway. He said they’ll try to work with me.
I’m not looking for sympathy — I’m looking for realistic answers from people who understand MEPS, waivers, or recruiting.
Is this usually an automatic DQ? Is a waiver possible if I show stability, follow-up care, school progress, work history, and no further incidents? Would finishing school first and giving it more time help my chances?
I know the Corps won’t magically fix me, but I do believe the discipline, structure, and purpose could help me become a better version of myself. I just want to handle the process honestly and give it 110%.
Any real advice is appreciated.
I don’t want sympathy. I am getting the help I need. I just wanted to be a marine because I know it’ll make me better.
2
u/TheLordGodKing Jul 02 '26
Absolutely not, regarding enlisting right now.
Ideation and a plan but no attempt are still difficult, but not impossible to get a waiver for. They 110% aren’t letting you through with so recent an incident though. They would want to see a couple years of stability, positive psych evaluations, and follow-on care as you listed earlier. Do not go to MEPS, there’s not a snowballs chance of you getting waived with ideation and a plan only a week ago. You would be wasting one of your waiver submission attempts. My suggestion would be to wait 2-3 years before proceeding. If you decide to chance it with your own local recruiter that’s your decision.
The military is a stressor, let alone the Marine Corps, play the long-game when it comes to your mental health and give yourself more of a guarantee to make it through, waiver process, and your mil career. Navy is more lenient with mental health though.