SED label and joining the military

[kimnichelle]

Hello, I am new here.  I found a thread that talked about some of the issues of joining the military but all the comments were from 2011.  I'd like to try to find some updated information. The question I have is if a student has an IEP under the SED label (Significant Emotional Disability), does this preclude them from joining the military?  Specifically, does the military have access to a students school record, beyond transcripts.  Specifically, can they look at IEPs, behavior plans, behavioral referrals/suspensions? I would appreciate any feedback, thank you.

[healthy11]

kimnichelle, first of all, I'd like to welcome you to our forum. Ironically, I know there were several announcements in the news earlier this month, about the military clarifying its previous restrictions on individuals with mental health conditions joining the Army. I'm unsure if it applies to other branches, such as the Navy, Air Force, etc. The following articles give more information, and include a copy of the Army's actual memorandum about " Adjustment of Medical Waiver Consideration." I suspect that the answer about if they can access a student's records depends on whether the student gives them permission to do so. You might check the Army's application website to see what information they ask for: www.goarmy.com/learn/apply.html

www.businessinsider.com/army-mental-health-waivers-attract-recruits-2017-11

www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/11/12/army-lifts-ban-recruits-history-self-mutilation-other-mental-health-issues/853131001/

www.military.com/daily-news/2017/11/13/army-personnel-chief-no-change-standards-mental-health-waivers.html