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AF_2018

AF_2018

10-Year Member
Joined
Feb 12, 2013
Messages
142
I have been wanting to go to the Naval Academy since I was a freshman in high school and the one thing that has been bothering me is my ADD. I currently have been off the medication for it for approx. 6 months and have done well in school without it. Will this pose a problem for me in the app process or the DODMERB?
 
My bet is they are a rising sr from their moniker. (1996).

Anyhoo....I believe the regs are you have to be off any meds for learning disabilities for 2 yrs with no academic change not to get DQ'd; if you were a 3.6 student on meds, you need to stay in that range and not drop to a 2.0 or below.

Check out this thread. It is for AFROTC, but it will give you a starting place. http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showthread.php?t=25357&page=3

LEARNING, PSYCHIATRIC, AND BEHAVIORAL

a. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) (314) UNLESS the following criteria are met:

(1) The applicant has not required an Individualized Education Program or work accommodations since the age of 14.

(2) There is no history of comorbid mental disorders.

(3) The applicant has never taken more than a single daily dosage of medication or has not been prescribed medication for this condition for more than 24 cumulative months after the age of 14.

(4) During periods off of medication after the age of 14, the applicant has been able to maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average without accommodations.

(5) Documentation from the applicant’s prescribing provider that continued medication is not required for acceptable occupational or work performance.

(6) Applicant is required to enter service and pass Service-specific training periods with no prescribed medication for ADHD.
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In the end, just apply. Do not go off meds without consulting your doctor 1st, notice it states...documentation from your doc is required, so even if you went off 6 months ago, if you did it without your doctor knowing, the clock might not have started 6 months ago since they were unaware of you stopping the meds.
 
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I have good news and bad news. I'm the original poster that Pima gave you a link to.

Bad news: Pima is right on the two years, so if you are a senior the two years off of medication will not happen before you begin the academy. There are other circumstances such as: how long you were on the medication, if you took more than one dose or one type of medication per day, and the age(s) you were when you started/stopped the medication.

Good news: You found this website with a wealth of knowledge from the people who have been involved with the military for their whole lives, and lucky for you myself who is currently fighting the same battle as you. I will be glad to give you any and all information I have, and if I forget about this thread please send me a message and I will see it as I sign in 2 or 3 times per week. More good news (hopefully): The two year start date begins the month after the last time you or a family member got a prescription from the doctor/office, assumming your prescription(s) were/are for one month at a time. I stopped taking medication in April 2012, but because that prescription had been picked up and filled, in the eyes of waiver committees it is seen as a took medication through April and did not stop until May 1.

Unfortunately you will probably get an MDQ. On the plus side it is the academy/HQ who decides if you get a waiver or not so there is always a chance. If you keep up your GPA and show that you can be the same person without medication you are heading towards what you need to get a waiver. And go to your doctor, talk to them about the medication and if it is safe for you to not be taking it. Even if you feel fine without you will still need documentation from your doctor stating that you are no longer on medication and are functioning fine without it. My documentation says that and that I should no longer be considered to have the diagnosis.

Good Luck!
 
BoyerPA said:
I have good news and bad news. I'm the original poster that Pima gave you a link to.

Bad news: Pima is right on the two years, so if you are a senior the two years off of medication will not happen before you begin the academy. There are other circumstances such as: how long you were on the medication, if you took more than one dose or one type of medication per day, and the age(s) you were when you started/stopped the medication.

Good news: You found this website with a wealth of knowledge from the people who have been involved with the military for their whole lives, and lucky for you myself who is currently fighting the same battle as you. I will be glad to give you any and all information I have, and if I forget about this thread please send me a message and I will see it as I sign in 2 or 3 times per week. More good news (hopefully): The two year start date begins the month after the last time you or a family member got a prescription from the doctor/office, assumming your prescription(s) were/are for one month at a time. I stopped taking medication in April 2012, but because that prescription had been picked up and filled, in the eyes of waiver committees it is seen as a took medication through April and did not stop until May 1.

Unfortunately you will probably get an MDQ. On the plus side it is the academy/HQ who decides if you get a waiver or not so there is always a chance. If you keep up your GPA and show that you can be the same person without medication you are heading towards what you need to get a waiver. And go to your doctor, talk to them about the medication and if it is safe for you to not be taking it. Even if you feel fine without you will still need documentation from your doctor stating that you are no longer on medication and are functioning fine without it. My documentation says that and that I should no longer be considered to have the diagnosis.

Good Luck!
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I have been off since December of Junior Year and I have done pretty well without the medication. I stopped the prescription in December so I should be okay.
 
adesa1996 said:
I have been off since December of Junior Year and I have done pretty well without the medication. I stopped the prescription in December so I should be okay.
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What they are saying is YOU can't stop the meds. A medical provider has to make the decision to stop the meds. When they stop the meds for you, your two years begin.
 
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+1 Mabry

Your doc has to state you were no longer prescribed the meds. You going cold turkey means nothing, if the prescription was until April, than the clock starts in April.

Plus, you are not in charge of requesting the exam. If they request it in Aug., Sept., Oct, you have 45 days to get it done. You can't delay it until Dec when it is a yr.


Get your medical records in order now, because as I read your post, you are in that range where they will DQ since you are not 1 yr off the meds.
 
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