Can you join the military if you have ADHD?

lconnor65

Under the old standards, any history of ADD or ADHD was disqualifying. While waivers were sometimes possible, they were among the hardest categories of waivers to get approved. Under the new standards, ADD/ADHD is disqualifying only if the applicant has been treated with ADD/ADHD medication within the previous year and/or they display signs of ADD/ADHD. For applicants with a previous history of ADD/ADHD who have been off medication for more than one year, and they do no demonstrate significant impulsivity or inattention during MEPS processing, the MEPS examining official may find them qualified for military service without submission of a waiver.

Records review is still required. Any history of being evaluated or treated for ADD/ADHD must be documented. As a minimum, all treatment (if any) within the previous three years must be submitted to MEPS, in advance, as part of the medical pre-screening. Full medical records are required if the applicant was ever treated for ADD or ADHD with any medication other than Ritalin, Adderal, or Dexedrine, or if there were any additional psychiatric symptoms, such as, but not limited to, depression.

MEPS may require school transcripts to demonstrate acceptable academic performance for the year without medication. If treatment for ADD/ADHD occurred throughout the school environment, but wasnâ€™t stopped until after the applicant left school, there is still the possibility of waiver consideration.

Mouth

they refused my friend from the airforce because he TOLD them he had it. i would just pay attention and keep my mouth shut.

DesertRebel

ADHD is a gray area. Like my supervisor has it and takes medication for it. (He's a reservist though, I'm active duty). He wanted me to get tested for it, and I told him the only way I'd do it is if he could find out that it wouldn't get me kicked out. He couldn't confirm it, and I'm not career suicidal yet.

I know I have a mild form of it, but because I was never consistently on medication, anyone who asks I tell them I was tested for it, but it was never confirmed.

So the question is, were you ever diagnosed with ADHD, or just repeatedly tested for it? Just because you're tested for something, doesn't mean you have it. Otherwise the entire military has HIV.

Marine5

NO...End of Story...

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