ADHD and ROTC- possible DQ?

K

Kevin

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Sep 12, 2017
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Hello, I have been reading and noticed a lot going back and forth based on if I needed a waiver or if I would even be DQ based on where I read. Hopefully you can give me a more clear answer on whether this is something I should continue to pursue. I was prescribed some sort of ADHD meds(I think Adderall) when I was in third grade. I was then also put on an IEP. Then, I think, when I was in 7th grade 12-13 years(it might have been in my 6th grade year but I'm not certain, if it makes a difference then please say so) old I stopped taking the meds because I thought that they were ineffective+ I felt weird. Through out high school I did not really need the IEP but my father kept me on it anyways despite the teachers and other staff advised against it. Then the end of my 11th grade year I switched off of my IEP to a 504 or something like that because this year (my senior year I'm taking classes at a University). Now at the University I have some sort of accommodations too (per the deal made to leave my high school). At my high school I have a 4.3 GPA (on a 5 point scale), a 3.8 unweighted, and at the university I'm attending I have about a 3.9 GPA.

Prior to just writing this I would like to note that someone said the IEP or other accommodations effect the ability to acquire a waiver; however, I would like to note that in my sophomore and junior years recruiters would commonly come into the class I had for the IEP(which only has other students with IEP's and most of which were currently taking meds and had poor academic records) to try to get students to enlist (my logic hints that they thus most likely give out waivers in a situation's like my own because recruiters don't want to waist there time with people they know they cannot enlist).

Sorry for the length but one more thing I would like to ask. Do would have to mention my accommodations (+history) to who ever I will be dealing with for (not certain what branch)ROTC because when I talked to a navy enlistment recruiter he never really inquired about accommodations, only asking if I was still on meds and when I took them last.
 
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Hey,

I am an example of someone who had ADHD in AFROTC and was able to get a waiver so I can only give you my 2 cents. Below are the most recent ADHD regs I could find:

29. 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.

I never had a IEP and my grades in high school weren't the greatest but good grades through college helped me out. You never know until you submit something and findout. Goodluck!
 
Kevin said:
in my sophomore and junior years recruiters would commonly come into the class I had for the IEP(which only has other students with IEP's and most of which were currently taking meds and had poor academic records) to try to get students to enlist
Click to expand...

You should understand that there are different regulations for enlistment compared to ROTC. Iows just because you can enlist with a certain medical issue it does not necessarily equates to they will allow it for the officer path.

Additionally recruiters are there for the enlistment path and very few are versed in the ROTC/SA path since they have different personnel to assist the candidates. USAFA = ALO. AFROTC = CoC.

FYI. They do not use a 5.0 scale so expect your gpa to be reconfigured.

I would suggest employing a DoDMERB consultant if you get hit with a DQ. The reason why is due to the fact that in essence you have had an IEP your entire academic career, including now.

Eventually you will have to state your medical history, including the IEP, but it could be as late as the early winter of your Sophomore year for the med. clearance regarding SFT aka LEAD.
~ You maybe okay at that point if you have been off of your IEP for 2 years, but you will need to prove that you have maintained your grades.
~~ FWIW, although you only need a 2.0 to stay in AFROTC, the reality is you will need at least a 3.0 (tech) to be competitive for SFT. You will also need to take the AFOQT and there will be no accomodations for that exam. You must pass that exam.
 
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Pima said:
Kevin said:
in my sophomore and junior years recruiters would commonly come into the class I had for the IEP(which only has other students with IEP's and most of which were currently taking meds and had poor academic records) to try to get students to enlist
Click to expand...

You should understand that there are different regulations for enlistment compared to ROTC. Iows just because you can enlist with a certain medical issue it does not necessarily equates to they will allow it for the officer path.

Additionally recruiters are there for the enlistment path and very few are versed in the ROTC/SA path since they have different personnel to assist the candidates. USAFA = ALO. AFROTC = CoC.

FYI. They do not use a 5.0 scale so expect your gpa to be reconfigured.

I would suggest employing a DoDMERB consultant if you get hit with a DQ. The reason why is due to the fact that in essence you have had an IEP your entire academic career, including now.

Eventually you will have to state your medical history, including the IEP, but it could be as late as the early winter of your Sophomore year for the med. clearance regarding SFT aka LEAD.
~ You maybe okay at that point if you have been off of your IEP for 2 years, but you will need to prove that you have maintained your grades.
~~ FWIW, although you only need a 2.0 to stay in AFROTC, the reality is you will need at least a 3.0 (tech) to be competitive for SFT. You will also need to take the AFOQT and there will be no accomodations for that exam. You must pass that exam.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the response, it is extremely helpful. Just a couple things.
I am debating whether to go to OSU or V-tech for their Senior military college status, but there is not point in me paying 4 times a much to go to V-tech if I cannot commission, so is there someone who I could contact now to get some guidance.(would an recruiting officer for ROTC have a definitive answer or should I not disclose that info to them since all my college accommodations are a closed record so to speak.)
 
You are not understanding how the DoDMERB aspect works. Although you believe the accommodations are closed, they really are not when it comes to DoDMERB.
~ See adesa's post.

You will be asked flat out front if you have ever been diagnosed with certain disorders, and ADHD is one of them. Your answer will be YES to both the diagnosis and the IEP.
~ It just happens to be that you are now on a college IEP instead of HS, in essence you are given accommodations compared to your peers.

I would contact the det. CoC that you want to attend. Beware they will probably be vague regarding your chances of getting a waiver. Reason why is that DoDMERB DQs and it is up to the commissioning source to waive, or iows HQ, which is a higher pay grade than any CoC.

You need to plow ahead and just try no matter what anyone says. If you want to attend VT, than go there even if you do not get a waiver, but only go there because that is where you believe is a best fit for you.
~ Off topic, but be honest with yourself regarding your chances of admission. I get your stats look strong, but you have offered limited info. IE what is your SAT/ACT? How about ECs? My DD is a VT alumni (not ROTC) and a VA resident. VT is competitive for IS students. By law VT must offer 75% of all admissions to IS students. You will be placed in the OOS pool pile, which typically will require higher stats. I believe their median ACT is @28, and 1250+ for IS.
~ Additionally, if you join ROTC at VT you will be required to be in the Corps too. Thus, your time management will be tested even more because you will have more time taken away from your studies.
~~ How are you physically, from a fitness aspect? Both ROTC and the Corps will require you to pass their fitness test. If you don't than there will be an issue. Many cadets that are not strong will spend time working out to get their scores up, which again will equate to time away from your academic studies.

Just apply and this way you will never live with the what if questions.
 
Pima said:
You are not understanding how the DoDMERB aspect works. Although you believe the accommodations are closed, they really are not when it comes to DoDMERB.
~ See adesa's post.

You will be asked flat out front if you have ever been diagnosed with certain disorders, and ADHD is one of them. Your answer will be YES to both the diagnosis and the IEP.
~ It just happens to be that you are now on a college IEP instead of HS, in essence you are given accommodations compared to your peers.

I would contact the det. CoC that you want to attend. Beware they will probably be vague regarding your chances of getting a waiver. Reason why is that DoDMERB DQs and it is up to the commissioning source to waive, or iows HQ, which is a higher pay grade than any CoC.

You need to plow ahead and just try no matter what anyone says. If you want to attend VT, than go there even if you do not get a waiver, but only go there because that is where you believe is a best fit for you.
~ Off topic, but be honest with yourself regarding your chances of admission. I get your stats look strong, but you have offered limited info. IE what is your SAT/ACT? How about ECs? My DD is a VT alumni (not ROTC) and a VA resident. VT is competitive for IS students. By law VT must offer 75% of all admissions to IS students. You will be placed in the OOS pool pile, which typically will require higher stats. I believe their median ACT is @28, and 1250+ for IS.
~ Additionally, if you join ROTC at VT you will be required to be in the Corps too. Thus, your time management will be tested even more because you will have more time taken away from your studies.
~~ How are you physically, from a fitness aspect? Both ROTC and the Corps will require you to pass their fitness test. If you don't than there will be an issue. Many cadets that are not strong will spend time working out to get their scores up, which again will equate to time away from your academic studies.

Just apply and this way you will never live with the what if questions.
Click to expand...
Sorry for the hassle but I was unable to find what iows means. Also, are the waivers flexible so that if one condition of the waiver is not met then CoC can still issue it anyways. Also, if they can issue it, is it the type to thing that the CoC are not going to do (even if the cadet held good stats) because it does it could make then look bad ? I'm sure that I'm capable of adapting to the program and succeeding but I'm not sure if I will be given the opportunity since I kind of screwed up my medical history. Hind sight is truly 20/20.

Thanks for the help.
 
IOWS = In Other Words.
The CoC does not issue the waiver. That comes from HQ.
~ You take the exam. The results come back. The CoC than sends the paperwork up the chain for the waiver. HQ, whatever branch you are applying for will than determine if they will waive the DQ.

You must be 3Q (academically, physically and medically) to contract. You can't be medically qualified if you need any type of waiver for anything. You must have a waiver for each and every item that you received a DQ.
~ Now if you are saying you have been off meds for more than 24 months since last taking meds, but because it is written in the regs no accommodations, which you do not meet than you are still DQd for ADHD. In your case you only need 1 waiver, not multiple waivers since it is only ADHD that you are DQ for.

As stated earlier the CoC cannot offer a waiver, it must come from HQ.
 
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