Acute Stress Reaction

[triz5427]

Greeting to all, this is my very first post on this forum. I have a situation just like thousands of other applicants on this board. Before I post my thread, I want to let everyone know that I used the search button, but I am trying to get my "Personal" situation evaluated by veteran members. In 2005, I was diagnosed with an acute stress reaction(one form of anxiety). I spoke with a doctor to help deal with my upcoming deployment to Iraq. Subsequently I was put on meds for about 3 months to help me sleep and deal with life while preparing to go. When I got to the mobilization site, they turned me away and gave me a three month profile. I was ordered to return to my home station and get re-evaluated. Ater a few months I was contacted by the surgeon general and required to give them an update on my condition. As a result I told them I was fine, and got a full psyc. evaluation done, also my doctor provided a letter stating that I was doing very well and was off of medication. I was not discharged from this and continue to serve our great country. I am getting ready to move into my medical phase with Maryland State Police and was wondering if this would be a real issue. Somtimes I feel like I let my country done by not deploying but, I feel I will be fully ready next time they call me.

[LA5150]

They may have an issue with your psychological history.

I'm going to be very blunt: From what I understand in your post, it looks like you found out you were being deployed to the war zone and freaked out so bad that you had to be put on meds. That won't sound very good to anyone in a position to hire you.

Not many departments will hire someone with that type of history, since they don't want their officers to freeze up and get themselves or someone else killed. I certainly would not feel comfortable working with someone like that, because I would question whether or not he or she would be able to function and be there for me in a life-or death situation.

We may not be on the receiving end of big artillery, IED's, and grenades like in Iraq but police officers are working in very real "war zones" all over this country. If the thought of going to Iraq stressed you out, I can't imagine how you would react to doing a footbeat through the projects with dozens of gangsters (many of them likely strapped up) all around, most of whom would gladly kill you if given a chance. Would you freeze up if you were sent to a shooting in progress call around the corner, where you could still hear the shots being fired? How would you react if things really went sideways?

These are the types of situations where I would not want a person with your history to be backing me up. No offense intended, but that's just how I see it.

[manahmanah]

They may have an issue with your psychological history.

I'm going to be very blunt: From what I understand in your post, it looks like you found out you were being deployed to the war zone and freaked out so bad that you had to be put on meds. That won't sound very good to anyone in a position to hire you.

+1

As soon as I read his first paragraph I thought the same exact thing. How are you going to react when you have to roll code 3 to a man with a gun or officer down call? I'm sorry, but I think it was very convenient for this "acute stress reaction" to suddenly show itself when you found out you were going to the sandbox and now that you want to be a cop it's all better.

To me, acute stress reaction is the way your a-hole puckers up while you're in a fight with a parolee or gang member.

[ChesCopPodz]

Agree with the others. I'd still try, the worst they can do is say no, but don't be too optimistic. It's not likely that someone will be hired into this line of work if they have a stress disorder.

[triz5427]

Dont you think I would have been discharged from the military if it was as severe as you think it is. Sometimes people go through stressful situations in life, that being said now when I look back on it, I wish I would have handled the situation a lot better. But in no way shape or form will I give up trying to be an LEO because I hit a snag in my life. On the flip side, I appreciate the honest feedback from the previous posters.

[manahmanah]

Dont you think I would have been discharged from the military if it was as severe as you think it is.

No. Don't forget, law enforcement agencies have MUCH HIGHER hiring standards than the military and must be more finicky about who they choose.

[triz5427]

Today I called the Suregon Generals office, and I found out that I am fully deployable and do not have a bar to re-enlist. I also called the Medical unit with Maryland, and they said my past condition is not an auto DQ. This is just one more hurdle to overcome. With the expectred increase of 20,000 troops, I am expecting my name to be thrown into the mix. I just hope I can make up for what I didn't do the first time. To close my thread, I just want to say I did not mean to offend any of current or prior military personel. My condition may have been looked at as a copout, but I had genuine feelings that I felt I shoulkd express. Next time will I keep them to myself, YES! Once again thank yu for all who replied, more comments are welcomed and encouraged.