Bipolar Marines

I'll skip my story as it's already laid out in my book

"It Take Guts to Be Me: How An Ex-Marine Beat Bipolar Disorder".

Are bipolar people allowed into the Marines? While I have not directly researched this, as a former bipolar person and a former Marine, I can't see how this would be acceptable. I was an undiagnosed bipolar Marine and the two did not mix. I suffered as I tried to hold the two titles at the same time, not even knowing what in the hell was wrong with me.

I also know of many Marines diagnosed with bipolar disorders who became labeled so after the fact. They became a bipolar Marine as I did, at least regarding when the label was earned. After they'd been discharged.

Once the illness is an active part of your life, there is no way someone could do what a Marine has to do in a day. I'm talking when your bipolar symptoms become so bad that you actually reach out for help, not unknowingly manage them as I did. There's a difference between being eccentric and wild, and reaching full on critical mass due to bipolar.

Let me add an explanation. There are bipolar Marines now, based on what I read in the news. Are these men and women allowed to serve after they've been diagnosed? Again, I'm not 100% sure but I know this much: They are prescribing troops, somewhere, with psych meds and on the battlefield no less. Is it to Marines? I don't know. What I read was vague. But the mere thought of psych meds going into a troop who then has to handle combat and especially the rigors and demands of being a Marine, horrifies me. For us and for that poor soul.

As I said, I've done both. I don't see the two effectively mixing.

Can you be bipolar in the Marines? Yes, actually. Notice, I didn't say diagnosed. I meant just having the disease. I was in this boat. Much happened to me in the USMC with bipolar disorder. Weird stuff. Violence beyond the norm. Risk-taking beyond the norm (and that's saying something coming from a Marine.) Bone crushing depression. Self hatred. Complete disregard for other's welfare, beyond my brother's.

Of course, all of this can be found due to other reasons and under other names while serving in the Corps. PTSD contains all of the above too. But, I hadn't yet experienced what most of us out there probably identify clearly as PTSD-building events. This stuff seemed to just be growing in me over the years.

I went to a psychiatrist once, after I'd been found to have been cutting my hands and arms. I got off on the pain. I liked watching myself bleed. I liked that someone was getting hurt, even if it was me. I even sliced someone else once who got cocky about my self-mutilation and thought I was an idiot. So I added him to the club, just so he'd know what it felt like. Then I threatened to beat him half to death if he ratted me out to a higher up.

He wisely left it quiet and got some stitches. When this happened I was only a hair away from being murderous. I still remember what it felt like. I remember the intensity and the confusion. I remember the rage.

Now, I know it was bipolar disorder and the Marine Corps way of life combined that were driving me crazy. I barely made it out with my honorable discharge. Matter of fact, I got my honorable with a twist. I was asked to never return. I excelled at my mission but was a wreck as a person. They were glad to have me but wouldn't miss me.

To me, this was a gift. I was proud to be a Marine but quite ready to do something else with my life. I felt safe knowing they couldn't recall me if a war broke out somewhere, and a few did, right after I got out.

Are bipolar people allowed into the Marines? Can you just up and be a bipolar Marine? I doubt it. Were they to allow you to join, you'd be a built-in liability. The entry protocols are designed in such a way as to protect the Corps, and any other branch, from legally owing you a dime after you've served. No different than many other business corporations.

Doubt me? Just ask anyone who's tried to get a disability rating for a wound that was not so obvious or not so clearly tied to their military service. Those men and women know they have a problem, whatever it is, and they know it happened due to their service. But can they prove it? Even when it's obvious the VA (Veteran's Administration) will fight you tooth and nail to hang on to their money, as they see it. This is another painful topic I am too passionate about to swing into here, so just be aware.

I don't think you'll ever see a news report any time soon regarding Marines with bipolar disorder. Well, you already have, but it's after they've committed some crime, usually involving violence, as I did. Then they love making clear the point that these folks had bipolar disorder or that they were bipolar Marines.

I was one of these guys. I did some bad things. I wore a lot of handcuffs.

So, if you're thinking of joining and you already have a diagnosis, well, you can try but I wouldn't hold your breath. Also, take it from me, I doubt you'd want to be bipolar and attempt Marine Corps life simultaneously. The combo is horrific. I know.

Now, with the two wars, and all the little ones that rage constantly around the globe that the public never really hears about, AND the addition of psych meds to our troops...I don't feel good about what we as a society will have to handle next as these poor souls come home. I feel worse for the service members themselves.

But we must handle this. We must help. We must support them. We must take care of these men and women, just like I was taken care of, albeit wrongly. But at least I had options. At least the system tried to help me. I only got better when I left the system, but then, that's what the rest of this site is about.

If you feel you are a bipolar Marine or would be labeled as a bipolar Marine once past the entry gate, and want to either stay in or get in, then I'd suggest you read all I have to share on this site. Because, I did beat this illness and if you were to do all that I did, you may very well beat it too and keep your Marine career or create one, in the process.

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Bipolar Disorder and the Marine Corps

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