09R to 09S

2

2023falc

Member
Joined
Jan 27, 2019
Messages
17
I'm an MS4 cadet that was supposed to go to camp and commission after completing camp; however, due to a medication I have to be dropped from ROTC and switch to OCS. How will this work? Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
 
Had the same question - assumption is that you are taking a medication that is prohibiting your moving forward as an officer in the Army after graduation since you state you're a senior / MS4. Are you on scholarship and have you been given a path to alternatively provide years of service in lieu of paying back a scholarship? Please provide more details as what you shared is IMO not enough to draw conclusions from.

Why then would you be a candidate for OCS given the medication concern? Are you switching branches and for some reason the Army doesn't allow this specific medical but another branch does? Anti-depressant, anti convulsion, I'm trying to think of what one branch would allow that another would not. Explain OP, por favor.
 
Oh ok, I was going off what I had briefly discussed with my cadre. I did not think it was an option either, but was eager to learn more about it because my main goal is to commission. Yes, I am on a 3 year GFRD scholarship. I have been in the guard since 2019. It is an anti-depressant, yes.
 
First congrats on getting on a medication to help yourself. If a leg is broken you out it in a cast. Same thing here. Be patient and work with your physicians to get the right balances. Your health is important

Please ensure you understand your obligations to serve as enlisted, or pay back the scholarship if you are being disenrolled.

Tha you for your willingness to serve and remember there are other ways to do so. .
 
The only difference between OCS and Cadet Command in terms of Medical Qualification is that they have different waiver authorities. If DQed by DODMERB, you would still be DQed for OCS. Are you on a temporary medication or permanent? If temporary, potentially you could get a waiver if enough time has passed with no recurring medical issues, if it is a permanent medication, then you are not likely to get a waiver.
 
Montana State Army ROTC said:
Medical requirements are the same for OCS. Not sure how you can drop rotc for OCS and magic away medical issues.
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Herman_Snerd said:
First congrats on getting on a medication to help yourself. If a leg is broken you out it in a cast. Same thing here. Be patient and work with your physicians to get the right balances. Your health is important

Please ensure you understand your obligations to serve as enlisted, or pay back the scholarship if you are being disenrolled.

Tha you for your willingness to serve and remember there are other ways to do so. .
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Are SSRIs allowed at basic training? I have to go this summer since I’m being disenrolled from ROTC. I’m was told I’ll start OCS after completion of basic training.
 
From my
2023falc said:
Are SSRIs allowed at basic training? I have to go this summer since I’m being disenrolled from ROTC. I’m was told I’ll start OCS after completion of basic training.
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From my understanding if you are dropped for a medical reason you are totally ineligible from joining, and are not required to pay back your scholarship.
 
2023falc said:
Are SSRIs allowed at basic training? I have to go this summer since I’m being disenrolled from ROTC. I’m was told I’ll start OCS after completion of basic training.
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It has more do to with what your diagnosis is. I assume this diagnosis is what DQed you from DODMERB. My expectation is you would also be DQed by MEPS as health conditions that require SSRIs are generally all disqualifying conditions for military service. Although MEPS does have a lower threshold for waiver approvals. Have you completed MEPS and disclosed that you are taking SSRIs and what you exact diagnosis is? They will review all medication you bring to BCT and will most likely make a determination then if MEPS qualified you. Why do you think you are going to OCS after BCT? Is it in your enlistment contract? You will still be DQed from DODMERB and need a waiver.
 
MohawkArmyROTC said:
It has more do to with what your diagnosis is. I assume this diagnosis is what DQed you from DODMERB. My expectation is you would also be DQed by MEPS as health conditions that require SSRIs are generally all disqualifying conditions for military service. Although MEPS does have a lower threshold for waiver approvals. Have you completed MEPS and disclosed that you are taking SSRIs and what you exact diagnosis is? They will review all medication you bring to BCT and will most likely make a determination then if MEPS qualified you. Why do you think you are going to OCS after BCT? Is it in your enlistment contract? You will still be DQed from DODMERB and need a waiver.
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I was told by my cadre that I will start OCS after BCT. When I enlisted in 2019 as an 09R I did not have the diagnosis or medication. My diagnosis is generalized anxiety and depression. I never went to BCT when I initially enlisted because I joined ROTC as a SMP cadet. I went to basic camp for ROTC, though. I am not sure what exactly is going on or how anything is going to play out, but this is what I am being told right now.

Also thank you everyone for the feedback.
 
2023falc said:
I was told by my cadre that I will start OCS after BCT. When I enlisted in 2019 as an 09R I did not have the diagnosis or medication. My diagnosis is generalized anxiety and depression. I never went to BCT when I initially enlisted because I joined ROTC as a SMP cadet. I went to basic camp for ROTC, though. I am not sure what exactly is going on or how anything is going to play out, but this is what I am being told right now.

Also thank you everyone for the feedback.
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I would look to confirm your next step options toward OCS/ an officer position with that diagnosis and medication. I am skeptical for the same reasons why that yields you being disenrolled from ROTC. I would speak with someone outside of your unit's chain of command in ROTC - who is your chain of command at your guard unit? as ROTC are simply put your past not your future go-to and I don't think at this point ROTC are advocating for you other than to wish you well. How can they put you in OCS with that diagnosis? That being said, right call to get on some medication and take care of yourself and I hope your service opportunities are what you want. Good luck and keep pushing to get the information you need.
 
Your ROTC cadre has no say or influence on whether you go to OCS after basic training. Someone is making assumptions and passing it off as facts to you. If you have already passed a MEPS physical, then you shouldn't need another. However, there has been a change in your health, so you will need a medical determination. Let your unit know of your diagnosis/medication, and do the determination, because if you show up to BCT with SSRIs that will trigger a medical eval if they weren't tracking it, and you may be just sent home, or possibly chaptered out. Unless your unit gives you orders to OCS, or has an ATTRS reservation for you, then you will not be going to OCS after BCT. Usually you need to be selected for OCS to attend. The fact that you enlisted as 09R doesn't mean you automatically go to OCS if you are disenrolled from ROTC. It means that if you can be retained, that you will go to BCT and AIT and serve as an enlisted Soldier. Are you in the ARNG or USAR? At this point they are in control of your future in the Army. ROTC DQed you, so after you are disenrolled, they are no longer a part of your path in the Army. All conversation post disenrollment should be with your ARNG/USAR unit, as your retention and future lies with them.
 
MohawkArmyROTC said:
Your ROTC cadre has no say or influence on whether you go to OCS after basic training. Someone is making assumptions and passing it off as facts to you. If you have already passed a MEPS physical, then you shouldn't need another. However, there has been a change in your health, so you will need a medical determination. Let your unit know of your diagnosis/medication, and do the determination, because if you show up to BCT with SSRIs that will trigger a medical eval if they weren't tracking it, and you may be just sent home, or possibly chaptered out. Unless your unit gives you orders to OCS, or has an ATTRS reservation for you, then you will not be going to OCS after BCT. Usually you need to be selected for OCS to attend. The fact that you enlisted as 09R doesn't mean you automatically go to OCS if you are disenrolled from ROTC. It means that if you can be retained, that you will go to BCT and AIT and serve as an enlisted Soldier. Are you in the ARNG or USAR? At this point they are in control of your future in the Army. ROTC DQed you, so after you are disenrolled, they are no longer a part of your path in the Army. All conversation post disenrollment should be with your ARNG/USAR unit, as your retention and future lies with them.
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Thank you for your replied and that info.

I am in a ARNG unit.
 
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