My cousin is in ROTC, and found out he is medically disqualified for self-reporting anxiety. Are medical waivers possible for anxiety?

2016-03-18T11:10:52-04:00

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Mar 18 at 2016 11:40 AM

2016-03-18T11:40:30-04:00

What is the extent of his anxiety?

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Mar 18 at 2016 12:10 PM

2016-03-18T12:10:13-04:00

Medical issues and waivers are VERY tight for officers in the ROTC program (likely in the service schools as well, I just have no experience in that area) Medical waivers for my cadets was a fight, each and every time.. And most times a fight lost.
This was 2002-2005 Army ROTC..perhaps its changed since then. I know the AF ROTC housed in the same building as us had the same issues ..

Response by SFC Daniel Faires made Mar 18 at 2016 12:33 PM

2016-03-18T12:33:49-04:00

Sir

Read Ar 135-50 ? ( I think ) I'm losing the memory of my regs. it will show you what is acceptable by army standards
Anxiety is a tricky one

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2016 3:44 PM

2016-03-18T15:44:59-04:00

According to AR 40-501 Ch. 2-27:
"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 posttraumatic stress disorder (309.81) do not meet the standard."

A waiver may be possible, in the drawdown, not likely.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2016 7:27 PM

2016-03-18T19:27:52-04:00

Sir, It is a tough one. I had a buddy recently go through this over the summer of 2015. He petitioned and the CG of Cadet Command signed off on him to stay. So it is possible, but tricky. He lucked out and happened to be near the CG at the time. If its starting at the Battalion level, it will just take some layers working up through the chain of command.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2016 9:29 AM

2016-03-19T09:29:01-04:00

After the original DQ is rendered by DODMERB, applicant can seek waiver thru the particular service's waiver authority. Hard to say the inclination without knowing the facts, but a service's status in terms of drawing down or growing will impact the decision. If he's on any medication for this anxiety, however, it'll be a no-go. Currently in AFROTC, if he's off meds for at least 2 years, can reapply for waiver.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2016 8:56 AM

2016-03-23T08:56:09-04:00

There is a waiver for everything. However, waivers may not be allowed based on current enlistment standards. If the person is on ANY medication at all. ANYTHING, that's an automatic dis-qualifier from entry into service. (Even women have to stop birth control unless its the implant).

There was a time when I was recruiting that non violent felony's could have a waiver, and a year later no waivers were allowed at all.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2016 9:21 PM

2016-03-26T21:21:57-04:00

That great that he is showing honesty/integrity, a core value. However, anxiety is subjective. Nearly everyone experiences it some time. Hardly anyone can say they NEVER had it. Get evaluation by another doctor who can state that anxiety is within normal paramaters, or that it would not interfere with being in the military.. Also DODMERB is for scholarship and academy application. Try signing up for ROTC classes without scholarship; First 2 non-scholarship years normally doesn't require a physical exam. when it time to contract, take the physical from MEPS which is normally less stringent than DODMERB.

Response by Daryl Istre made Oct 8 at 2016 10:48 AM

2016-10-08T10:48:56-04:00

I am a contractor and was just denied a medical waiver due to taking anxiety meds. I have not taken the meds for about 7 months and have a doctors appointment releasing my from the meds and stating that I have been off the meds for 90+ days. Is there a chance that the waiver will go through at this point?