title: Four-year prospective study of military trainees returned to duty following a mental health evaluation.
abstract: The purpose of the study was to determine the long-term outcome for military trainees referred for a mental health evaluation during basic training. Participants were 261 Air Force basic trainees seen for a mental health evaluation during January through October 1997 and returned to duty. Frequency and type of discharge from the military were documented for participants during a 4-year follow-up period. The results showed that two-thirds of the study sample failed to complete their obligated tour of duty. Most discharges occurred within a 100-day period from the time of the evaluation. Common discharge types were physical condition interfering with performance of duty, entry-level performance and conduct, fraudulent entry, and character or behavior disorder. Implications of the findings for mental health providers working in a military training environment are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Wright-Patterson Medical Center, Dayton, OH 45433, USA.
authors.forename: Jeffrey A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Cigrang
authors.forename: Eric G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Carbone
authors.forename: Armando
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lara
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services; D008889:Military Personnel; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013781:Texas