Recruiter told us don't worry, should we disclose??

[staceybea12]

My son leaves Wednesday and is now all of a sudden very worried that although the recruiter told him don't worry about disclosing that he had braces, a minor set of stitches and a speeding ticket (went to school so not on the record), he feels like he is going to get in trouble. Plus he has been treated for plantars warts over the last 4 months which are now gone. Were going back to talk to the recuiter Monday, which by the way is his 3rd recruited since joining DEP to ask again about disclosing this info. What should we do?? Anyone in similiar situation?? Please help!

[Anti M]

If he discloses now, chances are good he could be delayed for several months, even lose his current contract for his rating.  Three recruiters?   HIs best bet is to just say nothing at this point.   Those are very minor issues, and I don't think he'd need waivers.  The ticket is resolved, his teeth are fine now, and childhood stitches are really not worth mentioning.  I honestly forgot to disclose mine.    The "moment of truth" will be difficult, but if nothing has been said now, nothing should be said at that moment.  It is not like he's hiding a criminal record or a medical condition which would interfere with him being a sailor or endanger others.

Keep breathing!

[Bensma SHIP 14 DIV 260 PIR]

I have to say, I have had similar concerns.  My son had some issues as a small child with asthma.  Nothing major, and the doc was a real advocate for pushing certain asthma meds.  So, we never really knew for sure how real it was.  As an older kid and teen, he didn't have issues.  He was adamant that I not say a word while he was in DEP.  He wanted to join, and felt it was not an issue.  He has now been gone since June 24. I have not gotten any crazy phone call about hospitalization or anything like that.  I have found myself worrying a bit,but what Mom doesn't.  My sister reminded me that he would be in a place with some of the best medical care there is. So.... I simply have to give it all to God.  We cannot stop our sons/daughters from moving forward and striving to fulfill their dreams. They must go and do just as we did as young people.   

[sailorjsmom]

My son had two moving violations in the months just prior to leaving for boot camp, both of which he had to pay the fine and take a conviction on because he was to close to his ship date for court supervision. The stitches we found depended on the scar, mine had 3 stitches in his forehead when he was 20 months old you could see the scar but not the stitch marks so his recruiters said if questioned, you walked into a door. He also received nine stitches on the pad of his thumb more recently, obviously the door wasn't an excuse this time. We went to the urgent care where he was stitched up and in less then 15 minutes I had the record of the initial and all follow up visits. His thumbprint had to be overridden due to all the scarring but he left for RTC on the 25th and haven't heard of any problems. He also has several burn scars from his first job in a pizza kitchen which he was told, if and when you are questioned about them, you tell them you worked in a pizza kitchen. It seems as long as they have a reasonable explanation and none of the scarring was caused from major surgery they are okay.