Can a soldier with narcolepsy stay on active duty?

2020-09-24T22:07:02-04:00

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

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Sep 24 at 2020 10:10 PM

2020-09-24T22:10:38-04:00

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?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2020 10:22 PM

2020-09-24T22:22:13-04:00

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.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2020 10:43 PM

2020-09-24T22:43:09-04:00

You never know what the MRB will do. They’ll get a chance to plead their case but it all depends on the board.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Sep 25 at 2020 7:29 AM

2020-09-25T07:29:59-04:00

Like any medical condition it depends on the severity. This individual needs to work with their medical provider. They will most likely be put on LIMDU for this and will be assigned a case worker and a unit LIMDU coordinator. They will need to work with their folks to sort this out. Nobody here can answer that question clearly because we don't have all of the details.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2020 10:49 AM

2020-09-25T10:49:29-04:00

Narcolepsy is an automatic disqualifier. Unless they can successfully dispute/refute the diagnosis, they are done.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2020 5:22 PM

2020-09-25T17:22:07-04:00

Update*
I guess there's people who still stay in active duty but its up to their command teams whether or not they stay in

Response by Mary Pilger made Sep 26 at 2020 4:55 PM

2020-09-26T16:55:05-04:00

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.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2020 12:00 PM

2020-09-29T12:00:39-04:00

Another update. The doctor is noted that he had pre-existing symptoms which isn't true. Now he's even more stressed because he doesn't know whats gonna happen