My boyfriend went to a mental institution when he was 8. He is now 19 and wants to join the US Navy. I'm not sure what he went to the mental institution for (maybe depression) but he wasn't diagnoised with anything and isn't on any medication but is allergic to penicillin. Can he join the Navy?

You don't go into a mental institution for depression. That kind of incarceration at 8 years old tells me it must have been something serious. So I would have to say no, but he can always try.

My husband is in the army, my best friend is in the navy, my dad was a marine, and my brother is in the air force. If your boy friend wants to join any branch of the service, he needs to tell his recruiter his side of the story and they will decide. They might have him take a psych exam or tests like that to verify he has no conditions now. He should bring in his old records to show how long ago it was that he was admitted. Once they review his request, they will let him know if he can join or not. But it is VERY VERY VERY important that he is honest to the recruiter, because if he isn't then they might not take him.