can my son be recruited?

[4my2]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? MA -I am the mother of an adult (19y/o) son who has been agressively recruited by the marine corps. He has Asperger's syndrome and ADHD,for which he is on disability from social security.Although he is intellegent and high-functioning, I sincerely believe that service is wrong for him for many reasons. Most of the assurances and incentives the recruiter outlines sound too good to be true,my son is convinced this is his only hope for a future.Is there any way I can legally prevent him from enlisting,and any recourse I can take if he's already signed anything? PLEASE help! Thank you

[ERAUPIKE]

Originally Posted by 4my2

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? MA -I am the mother of an adult (19y/o) son who has been agressively recruited by the marine corps. He has Asperger's syndrome and ADHD,for which he is on disability from social security.Although he is intellegent and high-functioning, I sincerely believe that service is wrong for him for many reasons. Most of the assurances and incentives the recruiter outlines sound too good to be true,my son is convinced this is his only hope for a future.Is there any way I can legally prevent him from enlisting,and any recourse I can take if he's already signed anything? PLEASE help! Thank you

Unless your son is not legally competent he has made his own decision. He is an adult and it is time for you to let go.

[objetora]

As already pointed out, you have no legal remedy since your son is 19.

On the other hand, if you have a good relationship with your son and can communicate well with each other, you may be able to persuade him.

Some recruiters do lie. Not all, but some promises are too good to be true and are not true. There are many good resources on the internet with information about this and other issues, for example:

[url=http://www.afsc.org/Youth&Militarism/ht/display/ContentDetails/i/18300]AFSC Youth & Militarism *:**AFSC[/url]

Also, if he has signed up or he does sign up for the Delayed Entry Program (which is the usual route into the military), he should know that he absolutely CAN get out at any time before he ships to basic. The Marine Corps regulations say this explicitly. They can be found online by searching for:

MCO P1100.72C MILITARY PERSONNEL PROCUREMENT MANUAL

The relevant section is 4301, paragraphs 2, 3, and 4.

[ERAUPIKE]

Originally Posted by objetora

As already pointed out, you have no legal remedy since your son is 19.

On the other hand, if you have a good relationship with your son and can communicate well with each other, you may be able to persuade him.

Some recruiters do lie. Not all, but some promises are too good to be true and are not true. There are many good resources on the internet with information about this and other issues, for example:

[url=http://www.afsc.org/Youth&Militarism/ht/display/ContentDetails/i/18300]AFSC Youth & Militarism *:**AFSC[/url]

Also, if he has signed up or he does sign up for the Delayed Entry Program (which is the usual route into the military), he should know that he absolutely CAN get out at any time before he ships to basic. The Marine Corps regulations say this explicitly. They can be found online by searching for:

MCO P1100.72C MILITARY PERSONNEL PROCUREMENT MANUAL

The relevant section is 4301, paragraphs 2, 3, and 4.

Perhaps the military is an excellent opportunity for a young man to escape his over bearing mother.

[objetora]

The same Marine Corps regulation I cited above, which is available at:

[url]http://www.marines.mil/news/publications/Documents/MCO%20P1100.72C%20W%20ERRATUM.pdf[/url]

(the link was down when I posted my previous response but is up now) has a list of disqualifying conditions in Section 3271.3.f(c) (starts on page 142 of the PDF document). In that list is:

6 Any condition requiring regular or periodic use of medication.

Although Asperger's and ADHD are not specifically listed, it also says in section (3) that:

(e) The above recommendations are not intended to replace or entirely list the physical defects which do not meet the standards for acceptance into the naval service.

[Note: the Navy handles medical issues for the Marines.]

One thing that recruiters sometimes (perhaps often) do is tell the applicant not to mention a medical condition on the enlistment forms. It is illegal for recruiters to do so, but some (perhaps many) do.

Another deceptive recruiting technique that is sometimes used is to promise a bonus that is connected to a job that the recruit cannot qualify for or obtain for some other reason. The enlistment is not canceled, but the bonus is. It is a LOT harder to get out after starting basic training than while still in the DEP.

I have personally spoken to GIs with ADHD who have found military life very difficult, so it can turn out to be an issue.