ADD/ADHD and the military- Should someone be denied service because of it?

Cadet SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Aug 2018 15:44:50 -0400

I know there are pretty strict policies concerning ADD and enlisting or commissioning, but is someone with ADD going to be set up for failure in the military? Can someone not taking medication still be a useful addition to the armed forces?

Response by MSgt Steve Sweeney made Aug 18 at 2018 4:15 PM

MSgt Steve Sweeney — Sat, 18 Aug 2018 16:15:34 -0400

I would say no, they should not be denied service, and yes, they can be a useful addition. Generally, people with ADD do better with structure and the military seems to be a natural fit. I refer you to my response on a similar question posed by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member.

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/what-are-your-thoughts-on-add-adhd-and-people-who-use-medication-to-treat-it?urlhash=3888400

What are your thoughts on ADD/ADHD and people who use medication to treat it? | RallyPoint

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Aug 18 at 2018 4:29 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Sat, 18 Aug 2018 16:29:05 -0400

Both of these conditions can cause the individual to loose focus more frequently than the norm. Is it worth the risk, when loosing focus leads to death in training and combat. It is a question that the individual must answer for themselves.

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Aug 18 at 2018 5:26 PM

LT Brad McInnis — Sat, 18 Aug 2018 17:26:40 -0400

I had a sailor that worked with me who was bipolar. When he was on meds, he was awesome, when he wasn't he wasn't... The problem is that the job is stressful and that generally exacerbates the issues. Is it worth it to have an issue pop up in a firefight or dangerous training evolution that may cost you or your buddy's life? There are plenty of ways to be useful... my 2 cents is you need to talk to a recruiter and have a DOD Physician take a look at your case. If it doesn't work out, there are plenty of civilian jobs in the DOD. I certainly applaud you for your dedication and hope all works out well for you!

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2018 6:44 PM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Aug 2018 18:44:21 -0400

No, I have/had ADD. I had to be off concerta for 2 years before enlisting.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2018 6:45 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Aug 2018 18:45:59 -0400

I can with certainty say my LT has some bad ADD that he got away with. And though he is one dedicated officer who loves his job and is full of energy, if it wasn't for everyone around him constantly having to steer him into the right direction and focus his energy, he would be useless.

We all help our battle buddies out, but when is it too much and a drain on the system?

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Aug 18 at 2018 9:04 PM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Sat, 18 Aug 2018 21:04:31 -0400

I don't see why not

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Aug 18 at 2018 9:25 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sat, 18 Aug 2018 21:25:53 -0400

OK, put yourself in my unit- Airborne Grunts- deploy anywhere in the world 12-18hrs after notification, into Humanitarian, comfort and or combat operations- sometimes days, sometimes months. Now you need medication for this problem, will you carry several months of meds, vs. Ammo, food, ordnance? Not on meds you say- fine prove beyond a shadow of a doubt, that it can't come back, or won't sit you up for another problem. Do I want you guarding my flank, if you drift out?, I ran recon units- do I want to be creeping/sneaking only to have you start nervous twitching, etc. There are reason for what the service allows, serving is not a right, but a privilege, and it is restricted to those that can make the standards, or exceed them.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Aug 18 at 2018 11:59 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Sat, 18 Aug 2018 23:59:30 -0400

I have had ADD disorder all my life and it has been untreated. I am a pretty accomplished critical care and ER nurse and looking at primary board in March for LTC. I probably have PTSD from putting children in the morgue and I believe many conditions can be overcome with a little will power. My Mother did not finish HS and she made it very clear from my earliest days what the expected standard was.

Response by LTC James McElreath made Aug 19 at 2018 12:34 AM

LTC James McElreath — Sun, 19 Aug 2018 00:34:41 -0400

I can not say for sure but to get ADD under control one would have to be on some narcotics and I can't see the military giving a waiver. If they do they would be held responsible if that person were to fail to take their medication. You also might also be difficult to get a security clearance. If you can go for it, and have a life's Plan B. Good luck and hope you can get what you want in life.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Aug 19 at 2018 5:01 AM

SPC Erich Guenther — Sun, 19 Aug 2018 05:01:12 -0400

I thought if you were not taking medication for the condition that it is waiverable. If your on medication I would say no it's best that person never served.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2018 11:40 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Aug 2018 23:40:59 -0400

I have ADD, diagnosed after 14 years of service. I’d like to think I’m well accomplished.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2018 9:43 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Aug 2018 09:43:19 -0400

ADD/ADHD can manifest themselves differently in different people. Just like someone being OCD. For some it's a minor inconvenience, for others it's debilitating. Sometime the military will make broad decisions on things like this and say no to anyone with any level of the disorders. Why? Because they don't have the time and resources to check every single person for the severity of their condition. So to answer your question, yes. And no. It just depends on the person.

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Aug 20 at 2018 11:26 AM

CPT Zachary Brooks — Mon, 20 Aug 2018 11:26:10 -0400

I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was younger and had to provide proof that I was off medication and functioning fine to get a waiver to join.