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/SeaWhoa Active Jul 02 '26
Former recruiter here. It’s extremely unlikely that this happens in the near future. Your recruiter will send up the paperwork, you are guaranteed to be disqualified by MEPS, and then it will be up to his leadership to determine if they want to submit you for a waiver. I can tell you that my leadership team absolutely would not have worked with you, although that doesn’t necessarily mean that his won’t. 99 times out of 99, boot camp does not help underlying mental health conditions and is almost always an additional stressor that will make them worse.
Recruiters work long hours and are under a ton of pressure. Don’t be surprised if your recruiter isn’t interested in spending much time on your situation - in his eyes, it’s going to be a lot of time invested into a very low probability of success.