racandthree
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2014
- Messages
- 1
My son is currently a senior in high school and would like very much to participate in the AFROTC program. He was diagnosed with ADHD when he was in 2nd grade and has taken ritalin since that time only during the months he is actually in school. I inquired about whether or not ADHD would disqualify him from participating in the ROTC program and was provided with seven questions which if answered yes to would disqualify him. Ironically 6 of the 7 items were not an issue, however the very first item was. They indicated that if he had been enrolled in an IEP (Individualized Educational Program) after the age of 14 he would not be eligible. I was very surprised to learn of this especially since I don't recall every being told that his participation in the IEP would affect his ability to serve in the military. He qualified for his IEP based on his math performance, and ironically we were told after his 8th grade year that he was not "required" to continue with the program unless we chose to.
His grandfather and great grandfather both served in the Air Force and he has always wanted to follow in their footsteps. The ROTC representative indicated that he would take the DodMERBS exam in August prior to starting ROTC this Fall and could begin taking the necessary classes until the results came back (since he would not be on scholarship). If the results came back with an issue then of course he would not be allowed to continue. My first question was whether they could have him take the exam before that time so that he would learn of the results prior to investing a semester of his time in ROTC only to find that he would be unable to continue. I've also read that if he was to refrain from taking medication for one year and demonstrated no decline in his behavior and academic performance that a waiver for ADHD would not be required. If that is true then I wonder if it would be better for him to wait a year (free of medication and IEP assistance as he would not receive this in college) and then apply for the AFROTC program in 2015. If he did take the DodMERBS this year and did not pass, would they offer him the option of proving himself during his first year of college (free of medication) and then clear him after that? He has already taken the ASVAB test and am unsure as to whether or not this will be a factor in their decision process. Any suggestions you may be able to provide would be greatly appreciated. He is determined to pursue this so I just want to make sure we take the best path. I am hopeful that his ADHD will not prevent him from becoming a member of the military, regardless of whether he takes the ROTC route or not. Thank you in advance.
His grandfather and great grandfather both served in the Air Force and he has always wanted to follow in their footsteps. The ROTC representative indicated that he would take the DodMERBS exam in August prior to starting ROTC this Fall and could begin taking the necessary classes until the results came back (since he would not be on scholarship). If the results came back with an issue then of course he would not be allowed to continue. My first question was whether they could have him take the exam before that time so that he would learn of the results prior to investing a semester of his time in ROTC only to find that he would be unable to continue. I've also read that if he was to refrain from taking medication for one year and demonstrated no decline in his behavior and academic performance that a waiver for ADHD would not be required. If that is true then I wonder if it would be better for him to wait a year (free of medication and IEP assistance as he would not receive this in college) and then apply for the AFROTC program in 2015. If he did take the DodMERBS this year and did not pass, would they offer him the option of proving himself during his first year of college (free of medication) and then clear him after that? He has already taken the ASVAB test and am unsure as to whether or not this will be a factor in their decision process. Any suggestions you may be able to provide would be greatly appreciated. He is determined to pursue this so I just want to make sure we take the best path. I am hopeful that his ADHD will not prevent him from becoming a member of the military, regardless of whether he takes the ROTC route or not. Thank you in advance.