Year: 1998 Source: Military Medicine, v.163, no.12, (December 1998), p.834-838 SIEC No: 20010778

The purpose of this study was to provide a description of 1,138 Air Force recruits referred for a mental health evaluation while in basic military training. Findings show that trainees recommended for discharge often had a history of depression, expressed a lack of motivation to continue in the military, were reporting suicidal ideation, & typically had withheld information on their mental health history during the Military Entrance Processing Station processing. Issues of suicidality were more prevalent in the group of trainees recommended for discharge. Results are discussed in terms of potential strategies for reducing mental health attrition in Air Force basic military training. (20 refs.)