Son wants to be a Marine/Adhd

[Newlydivmomto4]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Kentucky

My 13 yo son, yes I know he is extremely young, has his heart set on joining the military and becoming a Marine. While it wouldn't be my first choice for him, I will always support him in anything he has his heart set on.

That being said, he is ADHD and has been on medications since he was 5 for it. He can function without them and does fine, but to be successful in school he has to be on the meds. We went 6 months without meds just recently and while he was fine at home, the lack of concentration at school was causing him to fail some classes.

There is a local high school that he can go to that has a JROTC program that is part of the curriculum that he has applied to go to. My question is can he still join the military enlisted or officer with a diagnosis of ADHD? He is extremely intelligent and wants to either be a sniper (he has watched "Surviving the Cut, Marine Snipers" so many times I swear he knows each scene) or a helo pilot. Thoughts?

 

[xylene]

Both your son's diagnosis, and the meds he needs disqualify him for military service, so even if he were to stop taking meds and manage the ADHD is still in his medical history and is disqualifying.

So there is no need to suffer without the meds.

Many young men go go thru a period of intense interest in service careeers, particulalry ones that are glamorized by all manor of media.

The reality is that pilot and sniper training are highly selective and not making the cut is what happens to most.

 

[IncogAg]

Thats a ridiculous assessment by xylene. Newlydivmom, you should contact your local recruitment center, inform them of the situation and how severe the condition is, and ask what their advice is. Although he may not make it as a pilot or sniper for whatever reason, they will probably have a place for him somewhere.

 

[xylene]

Basically - you are wrong

Thats a ridiculous assessment by xylene.

Mental health diagnosis like this IS a DQ from military service.

The only thing a recruiter will say is "Sorry and we don't do any waivers."

 

[tranquility]

From a couple different sources:
Asthma and ADD/ADHD Policy for Joining the U.S. Military (The quote)
Is There Military Discrimination Against ADD ADHD Recruits? | ADDitude - ADHD & LD Adults and Children (in support)

Under the old standards, any history of ADD or ADHD was disqualifying. While waivers were sometimes possible, they were among the hardest categories of waivers to get approved. Under the new standards, ADD/ADHD is disqualifying only if the applicant has been treated with ADD/ADHD medication within the previous year and/or they display signs of ADD/ADHD. For applicants with a previous history of ADD/ADHD who have been off medication for more than one year, and they do no demonstrate significant impulsivity or inattention during MEPS processing, the MEPS examining official may find them qualified for military service without submission of a waiver.

Records review is still required. Any history of being evaluated or treated for ADD/ADHD must be documented. As a minimum, all treatment (if any) within the previous three years must be submitted to MEPS, in advance, as part of the medical pre-screening. Full medical records are required if the applicant was ever treated for ADD or ADHD with any medication other than Ritalin, Adderal, or Dexedrine, or if there were any additional psychiatric symptoms, such as, but not limited to, depression.

MEPS may require school transcripts to demonstrate acceptable academic performance for the year without medication. If treatment for ADD/ADHD occurred throughout the school environment, but wasn’t stopped until after the applicant left school, there is still the possibility of waiver consideration.

 

[IncogAg]

Thanks tranquility. Newlydivmom, I wouldn't heed the "advice" that xylene is giving, as it sounds uninformed. The severity of your son's condition cannot be adequately described nor assessed by any of us on an internet forum. Go to a recruiter, get the facts, and find out what your options are before the time for recruitment comes. As tranquility pointed out, you may need to prepare years in advance before trying to attain eligibility.

 

[Zigner]

Thanks tranquility. Newlydivmom, I wouldn't heed the "advice" that xylene is giving, as it sounds uninformed. The severity of your son's condition cannot be adequately described nor assessed by any of us on an internet forum. Go to a recruiter, get the facts, and find out what your options are before the time for recruitment comes. As tranquility pointed out, you may need to prepare years in advance before trying to attain eligibility.

You CAN'T be serious! The kid is THIRTEEN. Sniper today, pilot tomorrow, archeologist next week and doctor next year. There is NO need to see a recruiter now based on this alone. Then, throw in the FACT that NOBODY knows what the rules will be in 4-ish years and you'll see why it's foolish to even talk to the recruiter right now.

 

[IncogAg]

The point is, don't give up hope because of something you read on the internet that has absolutely no worth. Maybe the kid does change his mind, but if not, its much better to prepared than caught off guard.

 

[xylene]

Worthless cause he can't join the army?

The kids ADHD is disqualifying.

Read the standard that tranquility posted.

He isn't even close, and he would need a waiver.

Guess what? The Army is not giving waivers right now as there is no shortage of qualified applicants.

 

[davew128]

The kids ADHD is disqualifying.

Read the standard that tranquility posted.

He isn't even close, and he would need a waiver.

Guess what? The Army is not giving waivers right now as there is no shortage of qualified applicants.

The kid wants to be a Marine. Trust me, you DON'T want to say he wants in the Army. Just trust me on this.