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Celeb Storm Daily

Why Did Jeffrey Dahmer Get Kicked Out Of The Army?

Author

Emily Beck

Published Apr 11, 2026

In 1971, Jeffrey Dahmer enlisted in the United States Army. However, his time in the military was short-lived. After just nine months of service, Dahmer was discharged on grounds of mental illness. There are various theories about why Dahmer was kicked out of the army. 

One possibility is that his drinking habits were causing problems. Dahmer was known to drink heavily, and it is possible that his alcohol use led to disruptive behavior that was not tolerated in the military. 

Another theory is that Dahmer may have been experiencing early symptoms of mental illness, which eventually led to his diagnosis of schizophrenia.

It is also possible that Dahmer’s discharge was simply a matter of unfit for service, as he did not meet the standards required for a successful military career. 

Whatever the reason, Jeffrey Dahmer’s time in the army came to an abrupt end, and he would go on to lead a very different life than he ever could have imagined.

Why Did Jeffrey Dahmer Decide To Be Enlisted In The Army?

Jeffrey Dahmer enlisted in the United States Army in 1979, at the age of 18. There are a few possible reasons why he may have chosen to do so. First, it is likely that he was seeking structure and discipline in his life. 

At this point, Dahmer was struggling with alcohol abuse and had been expelled from high school. Joining the army may have seemed like a way to get his life back on track.

Additionally, Dahmer’s father was a veteran of the Korean War, and Dahmer may have wanted to follow in his footsteps. 

Finally, it is worth noting that the late 1970s were a time of great social upheaval, and many young people were enlisting in the military as a way of showing their support for the government. 

Whatever his reasons, Dahmer’s time in the army did not have a positive effect on his life; he was discharged after just four months due to his drinking problem.

Who Enrolled Jeffrey Dahmer In The Army?

Dahmer had been working as a laborer for a candy company but was hoping to find a better career in the military. Dahmer completed his basic training at Fort Polk in Louisiana but was later discharged due to anxiety, drug use and unspecified personality disorder. 

After his discharge, Dahmer returned to Wisconsin where he would eventually be arrested for the murders of 17 people. 

Many people have speculated as to why Dahmer chose to enlist in the Army, but it remains unclear what motivated him to do so.

It is possible that he saw the military as a way to escape his difficult home life or that he hoped to find structure and purpose in his life. 

Whatever the reason, Dahmer’s time in the Army was cut short by his mental illness and he would go on to use his skills as a laborer to commit some of the most heinous crimes in American history.