Based on my ADHD history posted below, do you think that I will have a large amount of trouble receiving a waiver?

2018-04-18T13:50:45-04:00

Here is a brief run-down of my ADHD history:
I was diagnosed in 3rd grade and took Adderall up until 8th grade. I stopped because I wanted to gain weight for football and I didn't want to be stuck using medicine the rest of my life. I went through high school and made all A's and a couple B's, so my grades did not suffer while being off of my medicine. Freshman year of college I decided to see a doctor and get back on my meds (this time Vyvanse) because I thought I would need them to make it through engineering school. I quickly realized that I could do fine on my own (plus, i still hated the idea of being stuck taking meds), and so I stopped taking the meds after only 3 months and i never saw a doctor about it again. That was December of 2013. I can obtain all my medical records from the doctor that I saw in college, as well as a letter of recommendation from him regarding my ability to serve in the military. I can also provide my official college transcripts showing good grades that actually increased throughout and college and didn't go down, and potentially even high school transcripts if that helps.

What do y'all think? I will be attempting to enlist in the National Guard as 11B.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2018 2:53 PM

2018-04-18T14:53:29-04:00

AR 40-501 Standards of Medical Fitness 14 JUN 2017

2–27. Learning, psychiatric and behavioral disorders
a. Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (314), or Perceptual/Learning Disorder(s) (315) does not meet the standard, unless applicant can demonstrate passing academic performance and there has been no use of medication(s) in the previous 12 months.
b. Current or history of academic skills or perceptual defects (315) secondary to organic or functional mental disorders, including, but not limited to dyslexia, that interfere with school or employment, do not meet the standard. Applicants demonstrating passing academic and employment performance without utilization or recommendation of academic and/or work accommodations at any time in the previous 12 months may be qualified.
c. Current or history of disorders with psychotic features such as schizophrenia (295), paranoid disorder (297), and other unspecified psychosis (298) does not meet the standard.
d. Current mood disorders including, but not limited to, major depression (296.2–3), bipolar (296.4–7), affective psy-choses (296.8–9), depressive not otherwise specified (311), do not meet the standard.
(1) History of mood disorders requiring outpatient care for longer than 6 months by a physician or other mental health professional (V65.40), or inpatient treatment in a hospital or residential facility does not meet the standard.
(2) History of symptoms consistent with a mood disorder of a repeated nature that impairs school, social, or work efficiency does not meet the standard.
e. Current or history of adjustment disorders (309) within the previous 3 months does not meet the standard.
f. Current or history of conduct (312), or behavior (313) disorders does not meet the standard. Recurrent encounters with law enforcement agencies, antisocial attitudes or behaviors are tangible evidence of impaired capacity to adapt to military service and as such do not meet the standard.
g. Current or history of personality disorder (301) does not meet the standard. History (demonstrated by repeated inability to maintain reasonable adjustment in school, with employers or fellow workers, or other social groups), interview, or psychological testing revealing that the degree of immaturity, instability, personality inadequacy, impulsiveness, or dependency will likely interfere with adjustment in the Armed Forces does not meet the standard.
h. Current or history of other behavior disorders does not meet the standard, including, but not limited to conditions such as the following:
(1) Enuresis (307.6) or encopresis (307.7) after 13th birthday does not meet the standard.
(2) Sleepwalking (307.4) after 13th birthday does not meet the standard.
(3) Eating disorders (307.5), anorexia nervosa (307.1), bulimia (307.51), or unspecified disorders of eating (307.59) lasting longer than 3 months and occurring after 13th birthday do not meet the standard.
i. Any current receptive or expressive language disorder, including, but not limited to any speech impediment, stammering and stuttering (307.0) of such a degree as to significantly interfere with production of speech or to repeat commands, does not meet the standard.
j. History of suicidal behavior, including gesture(s) or attempt(s) (300.9), or history of self-mutilation, does not meet the standard.
k. Current or history of anxiety disorders (anxiety (300.01) or panic (300.2)), agoraphobia (300.21), social phobia (300.23), simple phobias (300.29), obsessive-compulsive (300.3), other acute reactions to stress (308), and post-traumatic stress disorder (309.81) do not meet the standard.
l. Current or history of dissociative disorders, including, but not limited to hysteria (300.1), depersonalization (300.6), and other (300.8), do not meet the standard.
m. Current or history of somatoform disorders, including, but not limited to hypochondriasis (300.7) or chronic pain disorder, do not meet the standard.
n. Current or history of paraphilic disorders (302), including, but not limited to, exhibitionistic disorder, transvestic disorder, voyeuristic disorder, and other paraphilic disorders, do not meet the standard.
o. Current or history of alcohol dependence (303), drug dependence (304), alcohol abuse (305), or other drug abuse (305.2 thru 305.9) does not meet the standard.
p. Current or history of other mental disorders (all 290–319 not listed above) that in the opinion of the civilian or military provider will interfere with, or prevent satisfactory performance of military duty, do not meet the standard.

I know a kid who grew up with ADD and was put on flight status as a crew chief, so you should be good to go.

Response by SGT Eric Davis made Apr 18 at 2018 3:29 PM

2018-04-18T15:29:36-04:00

You should be eligible for a waiver or not but you need to call a recruiter

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2018 11:23 PM

2018-04-18T23:23:33-04:00

Did you graduate college? If you score more than 110 on your GT Score you could go Officer.

Response by Alex Hawkins made Apr 19 at 2018 4:55 PM

2018-04-19T16:55:38-04:00

Well, in your case in order to even begin processing, you have to do complete the ASVAB and achieve a qualifying score. After that’s done, you will need to get all medical documents concerning ADHD, dating back to when you took medication, and you have to get a doctors letter stating that continued medication isn’t required for occupational work!

Response by Alex Hawkins made Apr 19 at 2018 4:56 PM

2018-04-19T16:56:56-04:00

It's not an easy process when it comes to ADHD, my case is similiar to yours.

Response by Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2018 7:52 AM

2018-04-23T07:52:08-04:00

I had a similar case. As long as you took it before you were 14 you should be fine i got mine no problem. But tell your recruiter, they will find out

Response by Sean Clepper made May 1 at 2018 8:12 PM

2018-05-01T20:12:48-04:00

I think that you have a good chance of making it.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2018 8:27 PM

2018-05-01T20:27:18-04:00

2LT Private RallyPoint Member Talk to a recruiter and then provide us with an update. Good luck.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2018 8:56 PM

2018-05-01T20:56:03-04:00

Long story shorter, you will need a medical waiver, but your successful academic history will make granting it routine unless you are still actively taking medication. If you are, expect some scrutiny and pointed questions.