Posted on Mar 18, 2019
Is Attention Deficit Disorder a disqualifier for a contracted cadet in Army ROTC?
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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?
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?
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2LT (Join to see)
Question is Attention Deficit Disorder a disqualifier for a contracted cadet in Army ROTC?
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MAJ Matthew Arnold
Revised original question for those with ADD/ADHD:
Does ADD/ADHD get you kicked out of ROTC.
Does ADD/ADHD get you kicked out of ROTC.
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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
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
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2LT (Join to see)
Alec Roman - Information Technology!, whoa, good field. How many years left before you graduate?
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Alec Roman
2LT (Join to see) after this semester just a year fron commissioning. I'm assuming 2 for you?
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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.
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.
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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.
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I don't know but if you call theArmy Recruiter. Just ask then 8f you can join with ADD..
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LTC James McElreath
I just got on line and it shown me the answer. You will require a waiver, the article stated the waivers were hard to find and, most waivers involve Psych.
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LTC James McElreath
LTC James McElreath if youar already contracted you need to advise the ROTC Dept so they can apply for the waiver. They take time to get received by them and return with a decision.
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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.
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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.
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2LT (Join to see)
I have not filled the prescription for that reason like I mention I have not been on any types of medication. Truthfully, I have never been on any meds at all dated back to when I was just a child. Why would the adderall disqualify me?
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Cadet PVT (Join to see)
2LT (Join to see) It has to do with the fact that they want to make sure you can “function” without it. The idea is that if you have a station overseas and they can’t refill a prescription, they would want you still to be able to function and all of that. My CPT told me if that if I needed to take a medication long term like that, to ask cadre. They have a list of approved/unapproved medications that would disqualify you. Stuff like advil and over the counter things aren’t an issue, just medication for your brain that can affect behavior is highly regulated or restricted.
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Suspended Profile
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?
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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.
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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.
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