I am applying to the SAs right now and I went digging through my medical records to see if there was anything that could DQ me. Lo and behold... for less than a year in 2019 I went to therapy and took medication. I was listed as low-risk for suicide but I reported having suicidal thoughts and I got a diagnosis of persistent depression disorder. Then I just stopped receiving treatment. I don't know why I received that diagnosis because this was a short period of my life and I haven't felt depressed since, barely even remember this all going down.
Brief history of treatment for depression with diagnosis. Will this disqualify me?
- Thread starter Julia67
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I recommend reviewing the appropriate sections of the DoD Instruction 6130.03: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/613003_vol1.PDF
As I have found with my students, generally, you need to go through the process to be definitive. In other words, you may require a medical waiver.
I recommend that you have a Plan B beyond the SAs and ROTC. Plus, prepare now for the 'additional medical information' (AMI) that DoDMERB will require to process a waiver. Depending upon the details, you may not need the 'waiver' but gather all of the details, doctor's letter(s), etc. that will help you gain the waiver, if needed.
I hope this information helps.
As I have found with my students, generally, you need to go through the process to be definitive. In other words, you may require a medical waiver.
I recommend that you have a Plan B beyond the SAs and ROTC. Plus, prepare now for the 'additional medical information' (AMI) that DoDMERB will require to process a waiver. Depending upon the details, you may not need the 'waiver' but gather all of the details, doctor's letter(s), etc. that will help you gain the waiver, if needed.
I hope this information helps.
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See link below for military medical accession standard.
One the DoDMERB process starts, in the medical history you will respond to questions. You will be asked if “you have a history of,” with a place to provide specifics on dates, diagnoses, medications, latest status, etc.
Right now, the story is unfinished. Presumably you have not been reevaluated by a provider with your latest status, and as to your medical Rx, it likely does not document it was determined you no longer needed the Rx and you stopped taking it in 20XX. The more specific and current provider info you can offer will counterbalance that earlier diagnosis and medication. It doesn’t matter what YOU say, it matters what a healthcare provider has documented.
The SAs are pressure-cooker, high-stress environments that can bust open hairline cracks. The military is extremely cautious and conservative in this area; your mental health is paramount.
If you are DQed, you may be offered the opportunity to provude AMI, additional medical info. If you can be proactive about addressing issues upfront, that helps the process.
Always have alternate plans. And, ROTC programs use the same standard, so straight civilian college should be part of your alternate plans.
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Cross-posted with @Academician !
It is in my medical history that a psychiatrist said in a letter that I no longer needed treatment, which is how I got waived for my third-class medical for flying. Does that count?
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Yes, that is part of the details you will want to provide to DoDMERB.
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@Julia67 ----I recently told my doctor I was struggling (mom in Hospice care with Dementia), and I have been feeling down and unmotivated-overall just sad.
I applaud the OP for asking for help when you needed it.
We hear a lot about mental health and how important it is, but we don't often raise our hands and say, ''I'm struggling, here". Critical to take care of you and seek help when needed. It isn't easy.
I applaud the OP for asking for help when you needed it.
We hear a lot about mental health and how important it is, but we don't often raise our hands and say, ''I'm struggling, here". Critical to take care of you and seek help when needed. It isn't easy.
I both agree with you and understand why USAFA is hesitant to accept people with my history. I just wish that my momentary struggle in middle school (let’s be clear, I was never actually considering suicide) wouldn’t put a red flag on my application four years later. But oh well, that’s how it goes.
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I totally understand why you would feel that way and be frustrated. Work the process, get your paperwork in order. Best of luck to you, and as @Capt MJ has said, and others, there are many ways to serve --even if it isn't in the way you envisioned.
aspiringcadet2023
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Please note that everyone’s situation is different and anything you read on this whole forum is a unique situation of itself. That being said, I researched everything when it came to disqualifiers in regards to depression, as I had the history of depression disqualified which you most likely will have to.
Good news is, my waiver came in today, bad news? It took half a year. I had a similar situation in 2019 where I was put on meds for depression. In some ways my situation was even worse. Unfortunately due to timelines, while everything else was qualified, my admission to Westpoint was denied due to medical disqualification (the waiver couldnt come in on time. Luckily I applied for ROTC as the end goal was to serve with my leadership abilities, not to attend a high level institution, I could have went to a ivy for that. This might be a long read but its a journal of what I went through in your situation.
I know its a very frustrating situation. You might even feel regret that you even mentioned something in your DoDMERB that happened four years ago. It was a 6-7 month wait for me, in this time it was a lot of despair and regret. The possibility of me not being able to pursue my dream of commissioning became more and more real. Almost everyday it became a habit to check the dodmerb site for an update only to see awaiting waiver authority At a certain point it was such a heavy weight on me, I had won the scholarship, I was at the finish line, and then something from 4 years ago came back to haunt me. At this point everyone from family and friends were rooting for me and my decision and I didnt know how to tell them it was a possibility I might not get the opportunity to do this. There was also the chance I would go into severe debt if my waiver didnt come in on time for college.
I will admit, there had been nights I scrolled through these forums trying to find a answer, trying to justify a waiver or find someone to tell me it will be alright. The sad truth is the military is a big machine with a lot of moving parts, unfortunately in this big system, you’re another name on a paper and data set in queue with a thousand others. You cannot just call someone and ask for a clear answer, you will always get the same each situation is different and it takes time, because its true. Embarrassing to say, I’ve tried everything, from contacting my DoDMERB rep, to my ROO, admissions officer, anyone honestly I could talk to get some sort of validation. It all came back to the same answer. Wait and prepare for the possibility of it not going through. It came through, but I definetly waited, a long time, and a lot of sleepless nights.
So what can you do, from someone who knows how it feels to be told to wait all the time.
Here is my stats by the way as this all sort of plays into them requesting a waiver for you in the SAs.
SAT 1200
GPA 93.4
CFA: Not maxed out but passing (Check out westpoint’s average number)
ROTC PFT: Pushups: 57 (50 is max), Situps: 46, Mile: 7:15
Extracurriculars: Student Body VP, Editor in Chief, Cross Country (Manager, Player), Golf, DOE Student Staff, 50 member club leader, model UN. A few more but those were the main ones.
1. GET EVERYTHING IN EARLY. I cannot stress this enough, I got my paperwork in on February. If I had done it around this time when my portal opened up, I probably would’ve been in westpoint rn, which brings me to my second point.
2. Realize SA’s isnt everything you’re imagining it to be. Going to a service academy is commendable and certainly impressive. After being told I was deemed academically qualified by the admissions committee I certainly got a chip on my shoulder, but after having my waiver withdrawn because if timing, I had time to eat humble pie and reflect. This might be biased but at the end of the day, through ROTC or SA, you are the same rank. If you are competitive enough for a SA, you are competitive enough for a good college and a 4 year ROTC scholarship. You give up a lot of freedoms by going to the service academies and get yelled at people a year or two older than you. At the end of the day, its your choice to make. Both have its pros and cons, but as Capt said, the SAs are pressure cookers. Military 24/7 for 4 years = SA, Military 3 days a week + some summers for 4 years = ROTC.
3. ALTERNATIVE PATHS. Not just career but college. People here will always talk about a different path in career but oh man colleges especially in your situation. My waiver was under review on acceptance day, and I had the choice of picking A. Going to a city college, or B. Risking it and going to the private college of my choice where I liked the ROTC program and risk going into severe debt if I wasnt granted the waiver. Luckily I was able to talk into choosing both and dropping one based on the situation, if you come into that situation, realize there might be a option C.
- In terms of alternative career paths, since ROTC was plan B, plan c became CIA Stokes Program, plan d became DoD SMART program (look into them).
Now because there is so much information out there yet so little about situations similar to ours, here is what I’ve compiled about history of depressive disorder.
- There must be a 3 year gap between when it happened and you applying
- Suicidal ideation and hospitalization is iffy. Be truthful and if you didn’t really have it, dont mark it.
- Atleast for the Army, because your situation is so complex, your waiver goes up in command higher than what it usually might be for other waivers. First it goes to the Surgeon General of Cadet Corps, who then gives advice positive or negative to your brigade commander, and depending on if they agree or disagree, you might get a waiver, required more information or fail. Even if you get DQed, if you provide more information in your favor, it will always get reviewed.
- Check in with your ROO or Admissions Officer and make sure to get updates on your situation.
Finally, please make sure to check the dates on your paper. Even though I stopped taking meds early 2020 late 2019, I accidentally put 2021 because of the way the dates are written, and my dodmerb contractor physician refused to change the date and was unhelpful. According to my case manager for DoDMERB, that was the primary reason I was disqualified, so HOPEFULLY, in your case, you might not even receive a DQ, but if you do, don’t fret. You will be alright. You might get bashed and bruised along the way metaphorically but if you really want to serve, keep that passion and keep on pushing, you will get that waiver.
Good news is, my waiver came in today, bad news? It took half a year. I had a similar situation in 2019 where I was put on meds for depression. In some ways my situation was even worse. Unfortunately due to timelines, while everything else was qualified, my admission to Westpoint was denied due to medical disqualification (the waiver couldnt come in on time. Luckily I applied for ROTC as the end goal was to serve with my leadership abilities, not to attend a high level institution, I could have went to a ivy for that. This might be a long read but its a journal of what I went through in your situation.
I know its a very frustrating situation. You might even feel regret that you even mentioned something in your DoDMERB that happened four years ago. It was a 6-7 month wait for me, in this time it was a lot of despair and regret. The possibility of me not being able to pursue my dream of commissioning became more and more real. Almost everyday it became a habit to check the dodmerb site for an update only to see awaiting waiver authority At a certain point it was such a heavy weight on me, I had won the scholarship, I was at the finish line, and then something from 4 years ago came back to haunt me. At this point everyone from family and friends were rooting for me and my decision and I didnt know how to tell them it was a possibility I might not get the opportunity to do this. There was also the chance I would go into severe debt if my waiver didnt come in on time for college.
I will admit, there had been nights I scrolled through these forums trying to find a answer, trying to justify a waiver or find someone to tell me it will be alright. The sad truth is the military is a big machine with a lot of moving parts, unfortunately in this big system, you’re another name on a paper and data set in queue with a thousand others. You cannot just call someone and ask for a clear answer, you will always get the same each situation is different and it takes time, because its true. Embarrassing to say, I’ve tried everything, from contacting my DoDMERB rep, to my ROO, admissions officer, anyone honestly I could talk to get some sort of validation. It all came back to the same answer. Wait and prepare for the possibility of it not going through. It came through, but I definetly waited, a long time, and a lot of sleepless nights.
So what can you do, from someone who knows how it feels to be told to wait all the time.
Here is my stats by the way as this all sort of plays into them requesting a waiver for you in the SAs.
SAT 1200
GPA 93.4
CFA: Not maxed out but passing (Check out westpoint’s average number)
ROTC PFT: Pushups: 57 (50 is max), Situps: 46, Mile: 7:15
Extracurriculars: Student Body VP, Editor in Chief, Cross Country (Manager, Player), Golf, DOE Student Staff, 50 member club leader, model UN. A few more but those were the main ones.
1. GET EVERYTHING IN EARLY. I cannot stress this enough, I got my paperwork in on February. If I had done it around this time when my portal opened up, I probably would’ve been in westpoint rn, which brings me to my second point.
2. Realize SA’s isnt everything you’re imagining it to be. Going to a service academy is commendable and certainly impressive. After being told I was deemed academically qualified by the admissions committee I certainly got a chip on my shoulder, but after having my waiver withdrawn because if timing, I had time to eat humble pie and reflect. This might be biased but at the end of the day, through ROTC or SA, you are the same rank. If you are competitive enough for a SA, you are competitive enough for a good college and a 4 year ROTC scholarship. You give up a lot of freedoms by going to the service academies and get yelled at people a year or two older than you. At the end of the day, its your choice to make. Both have its pros and cons, but as Capt said, the SAs are pressure cookers. Military 24/7 for 4 years = SA, Military 3 days a week + some summers for 4 years = ROTC.
3. ALTERNATIVE PATHS. Not just career but college. People here will always talk about a different path in career but oh man colleges especially in your situation. My waiver was under review on acceptance day, and I had the choice of picking A. Going to a city college, or B. Risking it and going to the private college of my choice where I liked the ROTC program and risk going into severe debt if I wasnt granted the waiver. Luckily I was able to talk into choosing both and dropping one based on the situation, if you come into that situation, realize there might be a option C.
- In terms of alternative career paths, since ROTC was plan B, plan c became CIA Stokes Program, plan d became DoD SMART program (look into them).
Now because there is so much information out there yet so little about situations similar to ours, here is what I’ve compiled about history of depressive disorder.
- There must be a 3 year gap between when it happened and you applying
- Suicidal ideation and hospitalization is iffy. Be truthful and if you didn’t really have it, dont mark it.
- Atleast for the Army, because your situation is so complex, your waiver goes up in command higher than what it usually might be for other waivers. First it goes to the Surgeon General of Cadet Corps, who then gives advice positive or negative to your brigade commander, and depending on if they agree or disagree, you might get a waiver, required more information or fail. Even if you get DQed, if you provide more information in your favor, it will always get reviewed.
- Check in with your ROO or Admissions Officer and make sure to get updates on your situation.
Finally, please make sure to check the dates on your paper. Even though I stopped taking meds early 2020 late 2019, I accidentally put 2021 because of the way the dates are written, and my dodmerb contractor physician refused to change the date and was unhelpful. According to my case manager for DoDMERB, that was the primary reason I was disqualified, so HOPEFULLY, in your case, you might not even receive a DQ, but if you do, don’t fret. You will be alright. You might get bashed and bruised along the way metaphorically but if you really want to serve, keep that passion and keep on pushing, you will get that waiver.
A1Janitor
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- Dec 22, 2018
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As a parent who went through with mental health issues (depression/suicide) of a child, I have so much empathy for you.
The most important thing is your health. We went through it for years, and to this day I always check in with her and make sure she is doing ok mentally. I think anxiety is still a struggle for her at times, but she is now 25 and half way through her doctorate in child psychology.
Your path, no matter what it is, will be successful. Stay on top of your health.
Best of luck.
Thank you for the very sincere response, I greatly appreciate it. I was hoping to get my application in early but after reading this I’m going to try and get it done even faster.