Army ROTC Medical Determination for Anxiety

midncandidate

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Jul 13, 2018
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I am an MSIV who was supposed to be an end of camp commission. In April I was diagnosed with anxiety and put on an anti-depressant. I am not able to go to camp because of the 90 days from camp medication rule. My medical determination was just submitted what is likely to be the outcome of it?
 
I am an MSIV who was supposed to be an end of camp commission. In April I was diagnosed with anxiety and put on an anti-depressant. I am not able to go to camp because of the 90 days from camp medication rule. My medical determination was just submitted what is likely to be the outcome of it?
Holy smokes. Not good.

Let me get this straight. (looking back at your previous posts from 2018 forward).
  • You previously went through NAPS in 2017, only to be injured and medically disqualified from USNA.
  • Then you got an Army ROTC waiver in November of 2018.
  • Currently you are an MS-IV (usually a senior), and you could not attend advanced camp last summer due to an injury.
  • So except for advanced camp, you are nearly ready to commission, and NOW they diagnosed you with both ADHD and anxiety and they prescribed meds?!!!
This is pretty difficult to fathom.

As someone else asked, was your physician aware that you are seeking to commission in the military?
 
Your medical determination "may" take some time. Your cadre will be the only one to keep you up to date on where it is in the process. Given the diagnosis, it is probable it will be sent to Department of the Army for adjudication, not Cadet Command.

Each cadet is reviewed on a case-by-case basis, so there's no valid speculation on outcome you can garner here. :wiggle:
 
Yes my physician is aware and he believes that the ADHD diagnosis was incorrect and that it is actually anxiety. I did get a waiver for the ADHD as I had three and half years of college with no medication and I excelled academically. I switched doctor's when my ADHD meds didn't seem to help much and I was really irritable and not able to handle stress. Since being on medication for the anxiety I have been doing much better.
 
Your medical determination "may" take some time. Your cadre will be the only one to keep you up to date on where it is in the process. Given the diagnosis, it is probable it will be sent to Department of the Army for adjudication, not Cadet Command.

Each cadet is reviewed on a case-by-case basis, so there's no valid speculation on outcome you can garner here. :wiggle:
Thank you for your response. If it went to the Department of the Army for adjudication rather than Cadet Command what would that entail? I guess I'm asking what the difference is. The 131-R I signed said to forward for medical determination.
 
It would go "thru" Cadet Command "TO" Department of the Army and then back "thru" Cadet Command, to your PMS :wiggle:
 
It would go "thru" Cadet Command "TO" Department of the Army and then back "thru" Cadet Command, to your PMS :wiggle:
I guess another question I have is if medically disqualified will I need to pay back my scholarship? I need the medication and I honestly didn't know about the medication and training rule. In fact I wasn't told it would affect advanced camp until over a month after I started taking it. I always made sure to communicate with my chain of command as any issues arose as well.
 
Those are questions that will be answered by your cadre, with input to them, from Cadet Command :wiggle:
 
My son was offered a scholarship through one of the junior colleges that have the Early Commissioning program. On his physical we wrote needs extra time for tests. i Submitted the paperwork a week prior to dropping him off for a week of csmp there then basic at Ft. Knox. When I was about 30 minutes from home after dropping him off 4 hours away, the school called about the paperwork. The school sent him to a counselor, and a whole slew of other people. He was diagnosed with autism when he was 11. We never treated it and he was never on medication. So we never reported it. He had a 504 plan for extra time on math and science test only. They pulled the scholarship and wouldn’t let him attend basic. The kid is in great shape, wrestled and played sports since he was 8, can drive a car, hold a job, takes hard classes, got two medical certifications in June. His PCP feels pretty confident that he could serve and make it through Basic and Advanced. It was so heart-breaking that they wouldn’t even give him the opportunity to try. He would have nailed it. The worst part is he had to pack up and leave in front of his peers hours after getting there and he had to quit his job to attend basic. They sent an email to everyone in the company he worked for congratulating him on his scholarship. The day before he arrived, the school reached out to make sure he was coming. The whole experience was truly awful. Not sure why they never contacted us prior to the day of camp.
 
My son was offered a scholarship through one of the junior colleges that have the Early Commissioning program. On his physical we wrote needs extra time for tests. i Submitted the paperwork a week prior to dropping him off for a week of csmp there then basic at Ft. Knox. When I was about 30 minutes from home after dropping him off 4 hours away, the school called about the paperwork. The school sent him to a counselor, and a whole slew of other people. He was diagnosed with autism when he was 11. We never treated it and he was never on medication. So we never reported it. He had a 504 plan for extra time on math and science test only. They pulled the scholarship and wouldn’t let him attend basic. The kid is in great shape, wrestled and played sports since he was 8, can drive a car, hold a job, takes hard classes, got two medical certifications in June. His PCP feels pretty confident that he could serve and make it through Basic and Advanced. It was so heart-breaking that they wouldn’t even give him the opportunity to try. He would have nailed it. The worst part is he had to pack up and leave in front of his peers hours after getting there and he had to quit his job to attend basic. They sent an email to everyone in the company he worked for congratulating him on his scholarship. The day before he arrived, the school reached out to make sure he was coming. The whole experience was truly awful. Not sure why they never contacted us prior to the day of camp.
I am sorry this unfolded the way it did. I suspect someone reviewing medical paperwork finally noticed “needs extra time for tests” and made the connection to the likelihood of a formal 504 plan and a possible history of a spectrum or similar diagnosis, which was not reported. Those are roadblocks for accession to military service. Waiver policies differ by service, because service missions, operating environments, gear, etc., differ, and the waiver process takes time, additional medical information, levels of review.

The accession bar for medical standards to enter the military is set very high for a reason. The military often operates in harsh, remote conditions, far from advanced medical help, in enormously stressful and often dangerous conditions. The unit’s safety depends on the individual health and readiness of everyone in the unit. Officers must look after their people and may be called upon to make split-second decisions that can be the difference between life and death. There are wonderful candidates each year who have a history of something that would not prevent them from entering almost any other career except the military. The people who ran the program at the local level - their hands were tied once they realized what factors were involved. The military is a utilitarian organization - the good of the many outweighs the good of the few.

Here’s what I think is the current accession standard reference. Section 5.28.

 
My son was offered a scholarship through one of the junior colleges that have the Early Commissioning program. On his physical we wrote needs extra time for tests. i Submitted the paperwork a week prior to dropping him off for a week of csmp there then basic at Ft. Knox. When I was about 30 minutes from home after dropping him off 4 hours away, the school called about the paperwork. The school sent him to a counselor, and a whole slew of other people. He was diagnosed with autism when he was 11. We never treated it and he was never on medication. So we never reported it. He had a 504 plan for extra time on math and science test only. They pulled the scholarship and wouldn’t let him attend basic. The kid is in great shape, wrestled and played sports since he was 8, can drive a car, hold a job, takes hard classes, got two medical certifications in June. His PCP feels pretty confident that he could serve and make it through Basic and Advanced. It was so heart-breaking that they wouldn’t even give him the opportunity to try. He would have nailed it. The worst part is he had to pack up and leave in front of his peers hours after getting there and he had to quit his job to attend basic. They sent an email to everyone in the company he worked for congratulating him on his scholarship. The day before he arrived, the school reached out to make sure he was coming. The whole experience was truly awful. Not sure why they never contacted us prior to the day of camp.
So sorry for all of this.

Here is what jumped out at me, from your post: “diagnosed with xxx, we never treated it and he was never on any medication. So we never reported it”. And “His PCP feels pretty confident that he could serve and make it through Basic and Advanced”.

That was the problem. As already stated….that needed more time and work. So the system worked actually. Had it been reported, as requested on incoming paperwork, it would have been dealt with sooner. Not at basic.

It’s important, for future readers to understand, that it’s the military that makes the ultimate medical decisions. It’s NOT up to private physicians (or parents) to decide if Jimmy/julie is ‘good to go’. If xxx is no big deal, it will be no big deal.

Sadly, this is a good example of what can happen if the questions are answered, as asked. I cannnot imagine there not being something that asks, if not point blank then otherwise, ‘have you ever been diagnosed with xxx’ or similar. And that’s sadly what could have avoided this embarrassment for your son.

There is a process. I’m sorry for y’all’s experience. Best wishes to him!!
 
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*sadly, this is a good example of what can happen if the questions AREN’T answered, as asked*

Outside the edit window, and that makes a difference in what is meant. The meat of the paragraph. So correcting that fat finger mistake 🙄
 
I am sorry this unfolded the way it did. I suspect someone reviewing medical paperwork finally noticed “needs extra time for tests” and made the connection to the likelihood of a formal 504 plan and a possible history of a spectrum or similar diagnosis, which was not reported. Those are roadblocks for accession to military service. Waiver policies differ by service, because service missions, operating environments, gear, etc., differ, and the waiver process takes time, additional medical information, levels of review.

The accession bar for medical standards to enter the military is set very high for a reason. The military often operates in harsh, remote conditions, far from advanced medical help, in enormously stressful and often dangerous conditions. The unit’s safety depends on the individual health and readiness of everyone in the unit. Officers must look after their people and may be called upon to make split-second decisions that can be the difference between life and death. There are wonderful candidates each year who have a history of something that would not prevent them from entering almost any other career except the military. The people who ran the program at the local level - their hands were tied once they realized what factors were involved. The military is a utilitarian organization - the good of the many outweighs the good of the few.

Here’s what I think is the current accession standard reference. Section 5.28.

It’s unfortunate that his diagnosis was not disclosed sooner, For all involved , especially your son. Seek to be complete and honest in all replies as you move forward.

So, take a breath, and look into the many ways to serve outside of the armed forces that might effectively utilize his talents and skills. Also look into military support organizations and opportunities to volunteer as an adult like the Civil Air Patrol. He is detoured but should not be deterred. Help him find a new path if he wishes to serve. There are plenty.
 
I have a question on this and admit my knowledge of the Army process is scant. But, did your DS actually complete a DODMERB medical form, or some other type of health physical? If DoDMERB, there would have been a follow up set of questions or an ask for remedial paperwork.

That could still be an option down the road, but it may also help to have a follow up exam which either confirms or updates the initial diagnosis.
 
[
So I have been in communication with my ROTC Admin and my packet is at the brigade level and my anxiety diagnosis was combined with a concussion diagnosis from around the same time that I am still not cleared from (concussion was the result of a rugby game). Any insight into how the concussion was submitted without me being fully cleared (I can do light exercise just not contact currently)? I asked my admin guy and he didn't give me any clarification. I am getting married next week and have a couple of job offers so I really would like to know what's going on with my life. I try to communicate as much as possible but my cadre have not been responsive and I don't even know if I need to show up to anything this fall (I requested an LOA to focus on my mental health).

“Married?“.Jake.
“Yeah, married” Long Duck Dong.

“Dong, where is my automobile?” Grandpa “Lake. Big lake”. The Donger
*Sixteen Candles.

This soap opera has more arcs than all my children. Will he enlist, serve as an officer, owe back 200k or nothing. Sure, throw a marriage log onto the fire on top your concussion protocol, multiple conflicting diagnoses and future path limbo. Maybe add in a baby zebra and a marching band and a hail storm just to round out the absurdity. Good luck. Try to avoid having kids until you get yourself and your path sorted out. Life isn’t a stressors collecting contest.
 
[

“Married?“.Jake.
“Yeah, married” Long Duck Dong.

“Dong, where is my automobile?” Grandpa “Lake. Big lake”. The Donger
*Sixteen Candles.

This soap opera has more arcs than all my children. Will he enlist, serve as an officer, owe back 200k or nothing. Sure, throw a marriage log onto the fire on top your concussion protocol, multiple conflicting diagnoses and future path limbo. Maybe add in a baby zebra and a marching band and a hail storm just to round out the absurdity. Good luck. Try to avoid having kids until you get yourself and your path sorted out. Life isn’t a stressors collecting contest.
My diagnoses aren't in conflict currently and to be completely clear I couldn't go to advanced camp anyways because ROTC destroyed my surgically repaired hip last year. I have had two orthopedic surgeons say I cannot ruck anymore but the Army refused to revisit the issue because they had already made a medical determination prior to the reinjury. That is part of what caused my anxiety I slowly started losing my mind because I couldn't do certain things that ROTC expected me to do. My marriage was planned over a year ago and I'm not worried about having kids anytime soon. If it wasn't for my fiancee I probably would have sought help for my mental health issues and wouldn't be functional at all right now. But I still have bills to pay so I need to have a full time job. So yeah while this all might be dramatic there isn't anything I can do about it. All I did in all of this was follow the instructions given to me by my doctors. I just want some freaking closure.
 
My diagnoses aren't in conflict currently and to be completely clear I couldn't go to advanced camp anyways because ROTC destroyed my surgically repaired hip last year. I have had two orthopedic surgeons say I cannot ruck anymore but the Army refused to revisit the issue because they had already made a medical determination prior to the reinjury. That is part of what caused my anxiety I slowly started losing my mind because I couldn't do certain things that ROTC expected me to do. My marriage was planned over a year ago and I'm not worried about having kids anytime soon. If it wasn't for my fiancee I probably would have sought help for my mental health issues and wouldn't be functional at all right now. But I still have bills to pay so I need to have a full time job. So yeah while this all might be dramatic there isn't anything I can do about it. All I did in all of this was follow the instructions given to me by my doctors. I just want some freaking closure.
With each update you should be aware that your foundation of “why” you’re not already through base camp and commissioned and serving seems to change to a new mini story or arc. Now we have another appeal for a medical dq for a different reason, not the medication that you stated as your why you didn’t attend base camp? Not the two prior diagnoses?

Be aware of this because if you’re doing the same with your chain of command and throwing it all against the wall to see what sticks, and shifting your answers on forms you will likely be identified as someone trying to get out of your service obligation without paying for college. They may make you pay your scholarship back fully or enlist and serve.

There are alternatively young people who desperately want to serve as their dream who are looking for how they can solutions not why they can’t excuses. You signed a contract so hopefully you are held to either serve or repay that scholarship if you succeed at your goal of not being held to serve after graduation.

Finish school, continue receiving professional help, and good luck as you and your fiancé work through all of this together.
 
What you have provided here, at the very least is a lot to work through. It’s most likely not going to happen quickly. It’s the military, after all!

Try not overthinking everything. Try practicing some healthy coping skills. Perhaps that would helps settle your mind, at least. Idk what the outcome will be, but it will be between you and them. No one here can really help you.

My suggestion would be to try and be present in today and not worry about the “what-ifs”. And if things are as @Herman_Snerd mentioned, know that your case wouldn’t be the first that’s been dealt with.

At the very least, everything posted is a whole ‘lotta stuff to work through. It’s going to take a minute!!
 
With each update you should be aware that your foundation of “why” you’re not already through base camp and commissioned and serving seems to change to a new mini story or arc. Now we have another appeal for a medical dq for a different reason, not the medication that you stated as your why you didn’t attend base camp? Not the two prior diagnoses?

Be aware of this because if you’re doing the same with your chain of command and throwing it all against the wall to see what sticks, and shifting your answers on forms you will likely be identified as someone trying to get out of your service obligation without paying for college. They may make you pay your scholarship back fully or enlist and serve.

There are alternatively young people who desperately want to serve as their dream who are looking for how they can solutions not why they can’t excuses. You signed a contract so hopefully you are held to either serve or repay that scholarship if you succeed at your goal of not being held to serve after graduation.

Finish school, continue receiving professional help, and good luck as you and your fiancé work through all of this together.
I already graduated. I missed advanced camp my MSIII year for my hip injury and this year for my medication (I wouldn't have been able to pass advanced camp this year either as I cannot ruck due to the hip, hopefully this clarifies the prior post a little bit). I would love to serve and I fully intended to but my body gave out on me and then the anxiety started. I still plan to work in profession that contributes to my community, but has fewer physical demands. This has been a long process which is probably why I come off as extremely frustrated. I just like having clarity on everything and this process really doesn't contribute to that.
 
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I already graduated. I missed advanced camp my MSIII year for my hip injury and this year for my medication (I wouldn't have been able to pass advanced camp this year either as I cannot ruck due to the hip, hopefully this clarifies the prior post a little bit). I would love to serve and I fully intended to but my body gave out on me and then the anxiety started. I still plan to work in profession that contributes to my community, but has fewer physical demands. This has been a long process which is probably why I come off as extremely frustrated. I just like having clarity on everything and this process really doesn't contribute to that.
So you graduated, and now are waiting to hear what you have to do? Either pay back scholarship, or enlist? Is this what it all boils down to?
 
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