Recruitment and Piercing :(

I wasn't quite sure where this belonged, so I figured I'd drop it here in the "Health" section since the medical examiners are the ones calling the shots during recruitment anyway...

So, here’s the deal: with my enlistment date creeping closer, I’ve run into a bit of a significant hurdle.

I was wondering if there is any way to navigate the physical exam process without having to endure that one particular, unpleasant little procedure—you know, the blood draw? See, I have an absolutely massive phobia of needles, injections, and anything involving drawing blood... Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say I have a phobia of invasive medical procedures; because at this point, if someone just shows me a needle, I can look right at it without spiraling into a total neurotic mess. But the last time I actually had to get blood drawn, back when I was about nineteen, the doctors practically had to hold me down... It was quite the spectacle. For a good hour afterward, I could barely even stand up straight, and I was shaking uncontrollably... It was quite something.

The bottom line is that for the past year, I haven't been sleeping nearly as much as God intended because I know this moment is getting closer and closer... It’s honestly terrifying. My friends think it’s all one big joke, but for me, it really isn't...

Man, what's bothering you? I was at basic training during my third month and they had to draw blood from me. Then, just two days later, I had to go back because the first batch came back looking a little funky. It was pretty intense—some guys actually passed out while the rest of us just sat there staring at the needles filling up with blood... nothing too crazy, though.

There’s no getting out of the bloodwork; it’s just part of the deal. Case in point: I'm heading off to boot camp in 20 days.

I find myself wondering what would happen if you just showed up and stated, quite clearly, that you do not consent to having your blood drawn. You simply refuse, and that should be the end of it. As far as I am aware, there is no regulation stating that you are obligated to permit invasive medical procedures.

Seriously, it's possible they tie you down and drain your blood—you’ve gotta fight to stay conscious.

Also, a quick shoutout to Kenneth White6—just lose yourself in the moment.

Stana said:it's really nothing to worry about..

Look, I truly believe you when you say this doesn't bother you, and I can see why my perspective might seem a bit foreign to you, but I suspect you've just never experienced the sheer intensity of a full-blown panic attack before...

Eric Robinson81 said:I wonder what would happen if you actually showed up and just stated that you won't allow them to draw blood. You simply refuse, and that's that. As far as I know, there isn't any rule stating you have to consent to invasive procedures.

Stana said:well, what happens is they just restrain you and take the blood anyway, so just try telling them no and see how that goes.

and a little tip for Kenneth White6 - just pass out

Yeah, that would probably end with me waking up in a coma, wouldn't it? 🙂

But this idea of simply refusing... Hmm... It's an interesting thought. One should probably look into the legalities of that. And tell me, Eric Robinson81, do you deal with that kind of fear yourself?

Stana said:well, they might just tie you up and bleed you dry, so try not to let them...

And my advice? Listen to Kenneth White6—just lose consciousness...

Recruitment is basically slavery.
The government is just a slave state...

Why did you even sign up for an institution built on violence in the first place? Do you honestly have that much faith in bureaucrats... enough to let them decide for you what’s worth fighting for, who counts as a friend, or who becomes an enemy? To think they get to choose what you'll lay down your life for...

Jacob Miller39 said:Why did you even sign up for such a violent institution in the first place? Do you honestly place that much trust in bureaucrats, letting them decide on your behalf what is worth fighting for, who your allies should be, and who your enemies are? What is it that you’re actually willing to lay down your life for?

Look, it isn't really a matter of me choosing to sign up; it's more that it's something everyone has to go through... In the year you turn 18, the draft applies to everyone.

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Kenneth White6 said:Look, it isn't like I signed up for this personally. It’s mandatory... Every single person hits the draft during the year they turn 18...

Honestly, it's pretty grim. They treat you like nothing more than livestock, stripped of any individual will, desires, or beliefs... zero freedom of choice... stay safe out there, and may God help you...

Maybe try explaining it to your doctor or nurse just like you did for us... though I can't say for certain if that’ll actually make a difference...

I remember this one kid back in elementary school who had an absolute terror of needles... some lady tried to give him a shot and he just straight up fainted on the spot... when he finally came to, his first question was just whether it was all over already?😬

Kenneth White6 - Honestly, I don't get how anyone can be terrified of needles. It's not like I actually enjoy getting poked, but I've never been scared. Ever since I was five years old, my perspective on them has just been different. Sure, I was a bit nervous at first, but every time I had to go in for a shot, I’d just tell myself it wasn't a big deal—it's just one of those things in life that passes. Now, I’m totally indifferent to the whole thing. If you look at my signature, there's a little note about how many times I've had to get shots voluntarily over the last few years, and I'm still going at it...

Kenneth White6 said:Well, this is an interesting point, the fact that you simply won't allow it... Hmm... One really ought to look into that. And you, Eric Robinson81, do you share that same fear?

I believe that medical staff—doctors, specifically, who are bound by both the law and their Hypocrites oath—are not permitted to perform any procedure without your consent. You show up because you are required to be there, you walk through the door, and they ask you to roll up your sleeve. At that point, you can state clearly that you cannot permit them to draw blood and that you are explicitly forbidding it. You have fulfilled your legal obligation to appear, but you are not consenting to being poked. Simply tell them you have a phobia and a genuine fear that you might die if they stick you, but maintain your ground so they don't even bring a needle near you.

What else could possibly happen? Is a nurse going to try to physically overpower you and tie you down? Of course not; they aren't foolish enough to get into a physical altercation with you. (You just need to stand your ground firmly, making it clear that while you aren't being aggressive, you will defend yourself if they attempt to touch you—they have no right to physically assault you). Who could imagine a nurse working for someone like the $1000 getting into a brawl with recruits? They would be stunned, and they would likely call for backup. Then the whole cycle repeats.

Will they call the police? Perhaps, but on what grounds? Because you refuse to give blood? Just explain that you cannot due to a phobia. Even when people cause an accident on the road, they can refuse to provide blood samples (which is treated as though they were at maximum alcohol capacity), but they don't care about the consequences.

Maybe it’s a clever idea to pull out a Twix or a Snickers while you're standing there for the blood draw; it might throw off their results and leave them even less motivated to take your blood. They might just call you back another time. Honestly, the best course of action is to consult with an attorney regarding your rights and how many times they are legally allowed to summon you. I truly regret that I didn't mess with them in such a way myself.

The military is an inherently flawed institution, and the recruitment process is nothing more than a miserable livestock fair that serves only to humiliate people.

Stana said:well, it does happen where they tie you down and draw your blood, just try not to let them get away with it

Who exactly is going to tie you down? The nurses? Look, if you fight back, you end up suing them for assault and medical malpractice, spending the whole time threatening their livelihoods. You'll end up suing the local community clinic. You'll sue anyone who even lays a finger on you. You are a human being, not livestock. You possess fundamental human dignity. Forcing someone into restraints and taking their blood against their will is a criminal offense.

Man, honestly, once those five or six people have you cornered, there’s zero chance you can even reach for your phone to call the cops or anything else. I saw some similar crap happen once myself.

Oh, please. In what world? You really ought to call the police before things escalate further.

Once they actually get all that stuff set up, you won't be feeling so anxious anymore—it’ll actually be pretty cool.

I actually went over to the legal subforum to ask about this, and the consensus was pretty clear: nobody is going to physically force you to give blood. Instead, they’d likely just file a report and schedule another recruitment medical exam for you. It makes me wonder how long that cycle actually lasts. I can't help but think that if someone just stays firm in their refusal, they could potentially stall things until they hit that 27-year age limit, at which point the military draft eligibility basically expires. Hehe.

Man, I seriously don't get it... it's literally just a blood draw...

Dana Allen3 said:Just explain it to the doctor, the nurse, or whoever else, just like you explained it to us... though I'm really not sure if that’ll actually change anything...

Oh, I know exactly how that goes... they'll probably just look at me and say, "Well, look how much you weigh," and it's not like I'm exactly a little guy, you know? 😬

Eric Robinson81 said:I checked on the legal subforum and apparently, nobody is going to force you to give blood; instead, you'd just get some kind of official notice and a summons for another recruitment exam. It makes me wonder where this ends, though? If someone keeps refusing to provide a sample, could they just keep doing that until they turn 27 and then they can't be sent for military service anymore? Hehe.

I've been following that thread too, so thanks for looking out for us. 👍

Stana said:Man, I seriously don't get it... it's just a simple blood draw...

I know it doesn't make sense to you... For me, driving through a tunnel is the most mundane thing in the world, yet for an acquaintance of mine, it feels like being trapped in a dungeon because he has a phobia of tunnels, no matter how strange that might sound... He won't drive through them at all and always takes the long way around via the backroads...

Fears are very often irrational, but they still exist nonetheless...