Posted on Sep 24, 2020
SPC Engagement Controller
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Recently, someone I know got diagnosed with narcolepsy. He's been in the Army for a while now though and is worried about the outcome of his results with the diagnosis
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MSG Intermediate Care Technician
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The SM is probably going to face a Med Board. There is a chance the Med Board will release them from the Service. It is also possible they will be retained. 50/50 really. If retained, they will more than likely have a profile that excludes them from operating any military vehicle nor TC any military vehicle....and this is at the minimum.
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LTC Hardware Test Engineer
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my sister-in-law has narcolepsy and they won't even allow her to have a DL. I can't imagine anyone with narcolepsy being allowed to stay in the military. There is no cure but there are medications that can help control/minimize, but not eliminate, the symptoms.

Narcolepsy is on the list for automatic disqualifiers.
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CPT Advisor
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Yeah, I would also say this one is less 50/50 and more 99/1
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MSG Intermediate Care Technician
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CPT (Join to see) - Probably. I guess I was trying to be generous
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LT Brad McInnis
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When I was at the Academy, I had a classmate who had narcolepsy. They booted him. Not sure if the regs are the same for active duty, but be prepared. Can he/she get another opinion?
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LTC Hardware Test Engineer
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2nd opinion is the only hope. Narcolepsy is an automatic DQ. Unless he can refute the diagnosis, he's done.
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Mary Pilger
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AR 40-501, 3-32 states that narcolepsy is cause for referral to MEB. Currently, approximately 2% of Soldiers going through MEB are retained on active duty.
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