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IRR recall advice desperately needed

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strangedays

Junior Member
What is the name of your state? Michigan

I’m looking for advice on my IRR recall situation.

I served as an infantry soldier in the U.S. Army from Dec 1999 until Dec 2001. I served and was discharged honorably. My time is the Army was bewildering. I struggled to grasp what my peers could learn so easily. I often made baffling mistakes that both frustrated and shamed me. It became very clear that I was also exposing my platoon and my friends to considerable risks. Fortunately, my platoon was never sent into combat and I did not cause any harm.

After I finished my tour I sought the advice of a psychiatrist to help me understand my problem. This was when I was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. This was a revelation in my life. My whole life I have struggled to concentrate and focus. I now understand that I have a philological reason for my behavior. I am currently on a 54mg daily dose of Concerta. (Methylphenidate – Long duration Ritalin) This is the strongest dosage of medication available. I have been taking this medication continuously for over nine months.

On May 5th 2005 I received orders that the Army was involuntarily recalling me from the IRR to active duty for a period of 545 days.

I have researched my condition and I learned that being on stimulant medication for ADHD is a medical disqualifier for reenlistment into active duty. I applied for a medical exemption based on my condition. I included all of the documentation that they requested including my medical records and a letter from my psychiatrist. I was denied without explanation. On appeal I was denied again, this time they stated that my condition was treatable and I was fully deployable.

I deeply love my country and I am honored to have had the opportunity to serve. But I now realize that my condition prevents me from safely performing my duty. I cannot in good conscience resume my commitment to the Army.

I would be deeply grateful for any advice.

I only have 30 days until my report date.
 


Crazed98

Member
I know of some people who completely ignored their IRR call up and got away with it when some the army went searching for.

What ever you do, do it before your report date (don't know what else you can possibly do). Once you report you will be in training and it will be almost impossible to get out-processed until your tour is over.

While I was in training the only ones being out-processed was:

-Someone with severe mental problems (not similar to yours)

-2 soldiers had hardship discharges. 1 for father who died the other who had a no one to take care of his son because mother was a crack addict.

-Last but not least the contentious objector which is a very hard route. I would rather do a tour in Iraq then try and get out being a contentious objector.

Good Luck
 

lvn4ever

Member
irr/adhd

I don't have any legal advice on this one but wanted to offer encouragement to keep trying to draw attention to your medical condition. A friend wanted to enlist in the Army but was told that his documented history of ADHD, including meds, would exempt him from enlisting successfully. Keep seeking an exemption. Perhaps you will need a civilian lawyer.

I concur about your condition being non compatible with military service. It can make you a liability to a unit, just as much as being hard of hearing or having extremely poor eyesight.
 

Crazed98

Member
lvn4ever said:
I don't have any legal advice on this one but wanted to offer encouragement to keep trying to draw attention to your medical condition. A friend wanted to enlist in the Army but was told that his documented history of ADHD, including meds, would exempt him from enlisting successfully. Keep seeking an exemption. Perhaps you will need a civilian lawyer.

I concur about your condition being non compatible with military service. It can make you a liability to a unit, just as much as being hard of hearing or having extremely poor eyesight.

The OP's case is different he is already in the army and they are calling him back in for deployment.

For example if you have high blood pressure they will not let you enlist but if you are already in and they want to activate you and you have high blood pressure they will ignore it or give you some meds and send you anyways.

Many people in the military have ADD and ADHD and yes it is a "hadicap" but they will not let him go just for that unless it is a real serious case of it. Many people with it can perform just fine. They gave him meds and said it can be controlled so not much more he can do about that unless he gets a second opinion from a military doctor.
 

strangedays

Junior Member
I don't know what constitutes a real serious case of it but make no mistake my ADHD is real and has profound effect on the way I think. Have you ever tried your hardest to not repeat the same mistake only to find that in the heat of the moment you screw up again? When I jump out of an airplane I chant "big jump, chin on chest" over and over again in my head because I constantly space out as I go out the door and I have a scar on my neck to prove it. I was constantly berated for stupid mistakes that despite my best efforts I continued make. No one was more upset or frustrated then I was. I had no idea what was wrong with me.

This is not laziness or stupidity. I easily loose focus whenever I'm distracted. I cannot turn it off.

Medication can help the symptoms but it is far from a cure. Meds also can only be safely taken once a day and the effect diminishes as you develop a tolerance for the drug. When I started the meds I noticed an immediate effect but now I often can't remember if I've even taken my medication. Prescriptions have a maximum length of 30 days and the meds are highly controlled.

Ask yourself this, would you want an infantry soldier in your platoon who had ADHD? If you had ADHD would you feel comfortable putting other soldiers at risk?
 

Crazed98

Member
I understand your situation.

I wouldn't want half the people in my unit with me in Iraq but guess what.

The army says you are fit to serve and that is that. Almost impossible to get them to change their minds.

Do you know what your job would be if deployed or what kind of unit you will be attached to?
 

strangedays

Junior Member
I'm assuming that my job would be an infantry soldier. That is my MOS. I haven't officially been told anything because my report date hasn't arrived.

My question is am I better off being a no show and taking my chances with being AWOL or showing up?

If I report and they don't care about my condition then I will most likely go AWOL and get a civilian attorney. At this point I'd rather go to jail then expose myself and others my issues. And I don't take this lightly - I would loose my job my home and a big peace of my potential but at least I could sleep at night.
 

Crazed98

Member
Do what you like and I don't know for sure but it might turn out better not showing up at all than joining back up and going awol.

I would try and get more info before making any choices.
 

mh34

Junior Member
If you tell your chain of command when you are deployed that you have these issues, they will want to put you in a "clerical job," or some other kind of labor. You might fetch coffee, answer telephones, wipe someone's arse! This way, you won't be risking lives of other soldiers. This is why they won't let you out. See, you can still be used in other areas that won't danger other soldiers. Just because you have an MOS, doesn't mean that's what you will do in the service. I recall doing a lot of stuff out of my MOS. Like picking up trash, cleaning porta potties, sweeping and waxing floors, answering telephones, and last but not least, working in the kitchen. My MOS was Medical Supply Specialist. BUT, if you tell them your "gay," or you may kill someone or yourself, THEY will get you out somehow!
 
R

revere787

Guest
I.R.R recall, ADHD

just dont show up, once they dfr you, turn yourself in to fort sill, most likely you will get a chapter 10. If you show up and try to get out then, it will be hard, as you already have found out, they dont let you go once they have you. dont show.
 

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