Computerized military records were evaluated for 216 adolescents who had been treated between 1987 & 1988 for attempted suicide prior to their army induction. They were rated on cognitive, psychosocial, & psychiatric variables & military performance between 1989-1992. Although female attempters had slightly more problems in the military than controls, their overall prognosis was good. Male suicide attempters did poorly in their military service. There was no long-term advantage in having had a psychiatric evaluation performed in a hospital over a brief emergency room evaluation. The policy of mandatory general hospitalization for suicide attempters may need to be reevaluated. (47 refs.)