Questions about Disqualifications

Hi, I am currently an 18 year old male. My current situation is I got into a really good university for next year with merit scholarships and am a top student at my current high school. Currently, I have a CJO from the DoD (I don't think I am allowed to say which agency) and am in processing to get a top secret security clearance, so everything is going great. However, I am thinking about possible opportunities and paths (if I don't get the FJO mainly) and I started heavily thinking about trying to transfer to USNA next year. I don't see why not, I think its worth a shot and something that would be an honor to do, but there are 2 main issues I am worried about that could get me disqualified:

1) During sophomore year, I had to spend time in a mental hospital for depression (which was complete BS and has made my life hell for this and NSA). This was only for 3 days and I haven't taken any medication or had any incidents in over 2 years (3 as of when I plan to apply).
2) I "have" ADHD from when I was in 5th grade (I hope this doesnt count) and haven't taken medication in over 6 years and I am a straight A student (4.21 overall GPA).

I guess my main concerns are with the ability to get a waiver, because this is a non issue (at least the DoD has appeared to be fine with it), but I can totally understand the reason for disqualification. I am looking mainly to study CS and EE as my majors and would like to work I guess at the likes of Cyber command or something. Any information or help is appreciated.

throwawayquestions said:

I guess my main concerns are with the ability to get a waiver, because this is a non issue (at least the DoD has appeared to be fine with it), but I can totally understand the reason for disqualification. I am looking mainly to study CS and EE as my majors and would like to work I guess at the likes of Cyber command or something. Any information or help is appreciated.

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Not enough information for anyone to give you any real advice. Medical qualifications are readily available online , and you or your Doctors can probably evaluate whether your situation is disqualifying. However, it is probably safe to say that DOD being "fine with it" for a civilian position has little bearing , if any, on whether you are medically qualified to attend a Service Academy.

That is what I was afraid of. I've been searching for several hours without any real guidelines about mental health standards. Its all physical health. I guess the best way to find out is to apply and see what happens. Thank you for your time.

throwawayquestions said:

Hi, I am currently an 18 year old male. My current situation is I got into a really good university for next year with merit scholarships and am a top student at my current high school. Currently, I have a CJO from the DoD (I don't think I am allowed to say which agency) and am in processing to get a top secret security clearance, so everything is going great. However, I am thinking about possible opportunities and paths (if I don't get the FJO mainly) and I started heavily thinking about trying to transfer to USNA next year. I don't see why not, I think its worth a shot and something that would be an honor to do, but there are 2 main issues I am worried about that could get me disqualified:

1) During sophomore year, I had to spend time in a mental hospital for depression (which was complete BS and has made my life hell for this and NSA). This was only for 3 days and I haven't taken any medication or had any incidents in over 2 years (3 as of when I plan to apply).
2) I "have" ADHD from when I was in 5th grade (I hope this doesnt count) and haven't taken medication in over 6 years and I am a straight A student (4.21 overall GPA).

I guess my main concerns are with the ability to get a waiver, because this is a non issue (at least the DoD has appeared to be fine with it), but I can totally understand the reason for disqualification. I am looking mainly to study CS and EE as my majors and would like to work I guess at the likes of Cyber command or something. Any information or help is appreciated.

Click to expand...

This is what I believe is the most current medical admissions standard:
https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/613003p.pdf?ver=2018-04-09-114201-123

The key will be what is documented in your medical records in terms of diagnosis and prescriptions. Your records should show your current diagnosis and medication status, as in, the healthcare provider notes your health at this time and determines X or Y is no longer applicable or required. There is a difference between you stopping medication on your own because you decided you didn’t need it, and a doctor making a professional statement you do not require it to function at a high level because the condition no longer exists or is negligible.

I am in no way a medical professional, but based on years of military experience and what I’ve seen posted here, the hospitalization for depression will be the big hurdle. That will likely be a DQ, because DODMERB will be looking at your medical records, no matter what your thoughts are on the matter.

There are some DQs that are waiverable.
There are some DQs that are waiverable but are subject to quotas.
There are some DQs that are simply not waiverable under any conditions. Military service is inherently stressful, often carried out in remote and harsh locations far from advanced medical care, where everyone being a full up round is essential to unit safety and readiness.

You have a good start going with NSA, apparently, and serving as a Federal civilian is an honorable and worthwhile path. There are opportunities for advancement, further education and excellent employment benefits. It’s probably easier to overcome health issues there than it is for military officer initial accession.

None of this is meant to discourage you from applying to a service academy, but to help you with a few insights. And, you don’t “transfer” to a Service Academy. You start all over again as a freshman, though you may be able to validate some classes and skip or start in a more advanced section. No credits would transfer.

I agree, it’s hared to know absent a black and white “disqualifying condition” standard. So absent that, each case is looked at individually, in a case by case scenario.

I dont have any experience other than what been shared and discussed over the years here, but generally the more time that exists between an incident, and the application, the better. My guess is that a “recent” hospitalization would at the very least cause a greater look.

As far as the ADHD, were you actually diagnosed? Were your medical records “buttoned up” by your DR ( meaning you are no longer diagnosed via a DR. And your records indicate that)? The fact that you haven’t had medication for it and have performed well is a positive for sure!

I would think there would be published standards for the ADHD medication issue, for sure. Maybe someone else will chime in.

Absent finding a standard, you are correct. The only way to know is to apply!

The important thing to keep in mind, is that though you feel it’s a “non-issue,” DoDMRB may (and probably will) feel otherwise. But it’s up to the SA to decide whether to request a waiver or not.



Good luck to you!

And there ‘ya go...the link from CAPT MJ. I was posting at the same time as she. Great advice above!

I fought and was waivered for a more recent ADD DQ. It is possible with proper documentation and letters from doctors. I can’t comment on the other issue.

Regarding the ADD, I simply just stopped taking it because I thought it was no longer necessary (and I think that might have been documented by the doctors). For the depression, it was really just a fluke with hormones and **** (the reason I got hospitalized is because of a severe miscommunication). The minimum time is 1 week and the doctors discharged me in 3 days. I am really hoping I can continue past this. Could I go see a psychiatrist or w/e and get medical documentation saying that they think I no longer need medication? One of the other psychiatrists before the hospitalization had to submit a letter to the DoD psych team and he said that I was fine in that. I really haven't been able to find much information about how successful it is to get waivers for those. I especially want to pursue this because the DoD program could fall through because I am not one of their core targets (I would receive a FJO if they have spare spots).

So I read the report, and I am new to this whole process so I want to get this correct: If I fit any of the disqualifying factors (which I fit 2), I can be given the opportunity of a waiver. I won't just automatically be unable to join regardless, right?

Edit: I feel like I should add, the hospitalization occurred when I was 15. I don't know how accurate this is, https://www.navycs.com/blogs/2008/08/13/medical-not-waiverable but seems to indicate that I can get a waiver 36 months after no longer taking medication and visits, which by the time I apply will be more than so hopefully that bodes well. Thank you for everyone's help!

I would suggest seeing the appropriate Dr for each of your conditions and get a full evaluation. Once completed and assuming they clear you of any/all preexisting conditions, have them document that in your file obviously as well as provide you with a letter stating the same. Then when you go to DODMERB, you will hopefully avoid any complications with the known past medical history.
Good luck!

It will first and foremost be important to have your medical condition/records all nice and neatly finalized. Buttoned up. Exactly as shock-n-awe said. You can work on that now.

There probably isn’t a lot of I formation available, BC It’s a pretty unique situation. And mental health is not as black and white as,say, a broken arm. Lots of grey areas in mental health. And it’s an evolving field.

You also need to fully understand that it’s not up to you to convince anyone of your opinion of your diagnosis. At all. You can say it was because of xxx, hormones, or ***. But it will be reviewed and decided upon by DODMRB and the individual SA’s.

Another thing to consider, is you may not actually receive the line of duty you are zeroing in on (FJO?). You may be assigned a completely different area.

As everyone else here has said, Civil Service Medical standards are totally different from Military Officer Medical Standards, and the main reason is what has been said numerous times here.....soldiers/sailors/airmen deploy sometimes in extremely high stress isolated areas and as an Officer you would be expected to be the glue that holds your unit together. Whereas as a civilian, almost all the time you would work an 8 hr shift (maybe stressful at times) and go home to decompress. You usually do not get that opportunity in the military, especially if deployed to a hostile area. Something to think about, if you do have tendencies towards anxiety or depression is how would 24/7 stress and possibly seeing death and serious injury first hand effect you? As a civilian you may see similar, but from a distance on sat connections or video but not having to actually be "in it".

Something to think about is as a Civil Servant (GS), most cyber or national security positions are Grade 7-13 non-competitive (meaning you advance without having to test or compete with others). This equates to an O-5 in the military and you would have that simulated rank with the associated perks as a full time DoD civilian employee. The only difference is that you would have a FERS Retirement (30 year) versus a 20 yr Military retirement and civilian health care versus Tricare. A lot of the same medical issues that cause problems in the military are not so much of a problem in Civil Service (mainly because you are usually not front line, humping up mountains or trying to save a sinking ship, or 24/7 for days in a high stress situation). I had medical issues from injuries in the Military that prevented me from continuing my career, but Civil Service jumped at the opportunity to get me and my experience and I retired as a GS-1811 Grade 13 plus my military disability. So just my personal thought, if the Academies give you a hard time, move forward with your civilian career, it is still serving, and is still a VERY important job, so if you go that way be proud of it! As other have said here and elsewhere you won't know if you don't try, and if you want the Navy....Go For It!! Worst thing that can happen is you graduate from the University and get a Civil Service position doing the same thing as a civilian you want to do as a member or the military. A CJO means they want you, and if they are initiating security clearances my thoughts are if you graduate without problems you will have a career position waiting for you. Not a bad fall back or Plan B... Usually a Conditional Job Offer is conditional on you graduating, finishing the major you signed up for, and completing two years as a summer intern learning the position from the inside, all in all not a bad option.

Good Luck with USNA!!!

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Seems like you are doing quite well now .... Are you sure that you have ADD? A doctor can diagnose anything. You can believe anything .... As other's have suggested, get reevaluated. Your diagnosis was many years ago.
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Apply .... The worst they can say is no. Nothing wrong with that .... Just a rock you can't move. Go around it, and move forward.
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