Is Attention Deficit Disorder a disqualifier for a contracted cadet in Army ROTC?

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 15:44:28 -0400

Although it had never been an issue, I was diagnosed earlier this week on 03/12/2019 with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). I just got contracted this year on 01/27/2019 and I have a focus on branching into the Cyber Corps in hopes of being a Cyber Officer, I am unsure as to whether my diagnosis will hinder my chances or disqualify me as a whole. I did some research and found Army Regulation 40-501 mentions ADD in Chapter 2-Physical Standards for Enlistment, Appointment, and Induction paragraph 2-27.

I am currently finishing off the spring semester as an MS2 and will be heading to basic camp this summer. They prescribed me adderall and also listed that I have "Mild ADD" on my medical history. I would also like to point out that my first two years in college I have kept my GPA above a 3.0 and have not fallen below that and currently passing all my classes at the moment with no medication being taken whatsoever.

Are there any officers with an ADD diagnosis that are still servicing with this medication?
Will I lose my contract?

Response by Cadet PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2019 3:50 PM

Cadet PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 15:50:10 -0400

The adderall will disqualify you. You have to be a year (minimum) off of any sort of drugs like that before that. Other than that, if you look it up, as long as your ADD isn’t interfering with your duties, you should be fine.

Response by Alec Roman made Mar 18 at 2019 3:58 PM

Alec Roman — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 15:58:15 -0400

Yes. Don't take the medication. Was diagnosed in early 00s and took Concerta 64mg up until near end of HS. At the time DoD policy was 2 or 3 years can't remember. Medication is a liability to your duty and kept me from receiving a contract or scholarship for my my first 2 years of college and initially DQed me from AF CCT.

Side note if you are interested in branching Cyber look at attending ACI next summer after AC as a III. I will be attending this summer and is the opportunity to get an early Skill Identifier and attend West Point

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 18 at 2019 4:07 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 16:07:31 -0400

https://news.usni.org/2018/06/13/navy-implements-warrant-officer-1-rank-for-cyber-specialists

I'm not necessarily saying you'd want this, however, I just figured you might at least care to glance at it...I've got zero clue whether your circumstances might allow it, however, if you could get your bachelors done, or have an associates now, you might perhaps at least care to ask about the program, if, for whatever reason, you couldn't be allowed to finish the ROTC, as I'd said, I have no idea what the rules might be in your case, I just figured you might care to at least know about this, I'd seen it mentioned on here sometime back....

Navy Brings Back Warrant Officer-1 Rank for Cyber Sailors - USNI News

Navy pay can't keep up with private sector cyber jobs, so the service now offers a quick path to management as a way to keep talent.

Response by Alec Roman made Mar 18 at 2019 4:08 PM

Alec Roman — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 16:08:29 -0400

Follow up, get a note from your doctor stating how mild it is and how well you function without it. Also get a copy of your transcripts ready as well as a record from your pharmacy listing any medications you have filled in the past. These are all things they'll possibly as for as they did with me. As long as you can make the case that you can continue to perform without the medication you should be fine. In reality the majority of people have some form of ADD/ADHD. The medication portion however is the biggest concern to them as it is not always something thay will be readily available to you. Especially on deployments.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 18 at 2019 4:09 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 16:09:15 -0400

https://www.goarmy.com/army-cyber/cyber-direct-commissioning-program.html

Also, being as you're Army ROTC, I gather, you might've already seen stuff on this as well, I just figured if you hadn't, and could get the bachelors done, this could be yet another way for you to possibly see if you might ask about, as well....

Cyber Direct Commissioning Program

System admin, web developer, programmer. Put your civilian experience to work and become an officer in the Army through the Cyber Direct Commissioning Program.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 18 at 2019 4:10 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 16:10:59 -0400

https://www.gocoastguard.com/active-duty-careers/officer-opportunities/programs/direct-commission-engineer-dce

I'm uncertain whether USCG might view cyber as suitable for this, however, if you did your bachelors in comp sci (CS), as opposed to cyber, per se, being as they'd certainly be close, if nothing else, I just had run across this in the past, and figured you might possibly care to at least glance at it, you know?

Direct Commission Engineer (DCE) | GoCoastGuard.com

The direct commission engineer (DCE) program provides engineers and technologists with leadership opportunities in program management, implementing systems that enable and support Coast Guard missions. Experienced C4IT engineers are needed to advance our systems infrastructure in a rapidly modernizing organization.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 18 at 2019 4:12 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 16:12:40 -0400

http://www.ocsfoundation.org

Also, the forum pages on here are quite good, it's not all-inclusive, certainly, it doesn't cover Army WOCS, which is of course mainly for flight, typically rotary wing, or any of the direct commission indoc OIS type programs, however, I just figured you might find it at least of interest, if nothing else.....

OCS Foundation

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Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 18 at 2019 4:13 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 16:13:42 -0400

I've got other thoughts about other possibilities as well, that aren't cyber, though comp sci (CS)/IT related, if you'd care to hear more, no rush, if you'd wanna chat more, just lemme know, OK?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2019 4:26 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 16:26:26 -0400

DoDI 6130.03
1.2. POLICY. It is DoD policy to:
a. Use the guidance in this issuance for appointment, enlistment, or induction of personnel into the Military Services.
d. Allow applicants who do not meet the physical and medical standards in this issuance to be considered for a medical waiver.
5.28. LEARNING, PSYCHIATRIC, AND BEHAVIORAL DISORDERS.
a. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, if with:
(1) A recommended or prescribed Individualized Education Program, 504 Plan, or work accommodations after the 14th birthday;
(2) A history of comorbid mental disorders;
(3) Prescribed medication in the previous 24 months; or
(4) Documentation of adverse academic, occupational, or work performance.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2019 6:58 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 18:58:02 -0400

Just don't take the medication. You will be kicked out of ROTC for taking ADD/ADHD medicine. It is also in the policy from cadet command.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2019 7:01 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 19:01:25 -0400

What was the question again?

Response by LTC James McElreath made Mar 18 at 2019 7:44 PM

LTC James McElreath — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 19:44:22 -0400

I don't know but if you call theArmy Recruiter. Just ask then 8f you can join with ADD..

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2019 11:35 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 23:35:25 -0400

It depends on the severity.

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made Mar 19 at 2019 4:40 PM

MAJ Matthew Arnold — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 16:40:25 -0400

Funny you should mention ADD. I grew up in the day when boys were just boys and some were a little, ah, harder to handle than others. I graduated HS with a 2.8 gpa, but I was starting offensive tackle, Eagle Scout, and learned how to fly in Air Explorers. I served a mission for the LDS Church and delta with all the complications of that service. I graduated from BYU with a 2.6 gpa, but excelled in ROTC and was awarded an RA commission, followed by IOBC, MPLC, ORWAC, AOAC, CAS3. I was a airborne rifle platoon leader, a SFG service company XO, a aviation assault company (UH-1) commander, etc. on up to my highest position as an acting aviation attack battalion (AH-64) XO. All this while coping with ADD, which I did not know I had. (I found out almost by accident, which is another story.) The point is ADD is not an excuse, nor is it a disability, go for it. AND, do not take the meds, they can disqualify you.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Mar 27 at 2020 9:57 AM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Fri, 27 Mar 2020 09:57:32 -0400

Since you are already under contract (meaning you passed MEPS), I wouldn't sweat it! And boy there are officers (and enlisted members as well) with ADD! Just learn the DoD guidance (whatever they are) and follow then.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Mar 27 at 2020 1:48 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Fri, 27 Mar 2020 13:48:40 -0400

There are a lot of us with ADD and what you need to ask yourself, do you need the diagnosis, do you need the meds? Every principal from K through HS graduation knew my name well and my ass in grade school knew the paddle. My Mother instilled in me at a young age I will go to college and my Father than officer life is better. First I wanted to be a pilot but that required 20/20 vision, so off to nursing school I went. Took me ten years to get my BSN and I will retire as a field grade officer. Never had the diagnosis, never took the meds, and I never plan to. You have a lot of say in what you are diagnosed with and where your life takes you. Give it some thought and figure out what is important.

Response by Cadet SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 24 at 2022 4:54 PM

Cadet SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 16:54:52 -0400

I had a similar thing just happen to me. Obviously you commissioned, but did you end up taking the medication and going through the medical determination process?