Disqualification due to Sleep Supplements

[GenericUsername7]

Hey all, looking for guidance on what to do about a DQ due to taking melatonin? I was slapped with D213.00 back in April, and it states “Chronic Insomnia within past year.”

They had asked about melatonin use that had been noted in a separate remedial that they sent me to. I had no idea that taking melatonin was by any means unacceptable for ascension standards, as most of my officers and fellow Sailors have taken it in the past.

I’m a prior enlisted Sailor — recently separated. I’ve been attending a maritime academy since that time, and have been spending significant time at sea over the past year. I never expected to have this much trouble with getting through medical with DoDMERB. I’m a bit frustrated at this point and am trying to figure out what my options are. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[MullenLE]

If you’d like, you may send me an email: lawrence.e.mullen.civ@mail.mil; provide complete name and last 4 SSN; provide the text of your posting above to YOUR email. The subject line of the email should be “GenericUsername7- SAF = DQ to to sleeping supplements.“ Do NOT embed links in your email as I will not be able to view those.

 

[MullenLE]

Answered

 

[soapywaterr]

Hey all, looking for guidance on what to do about a DQ due to taking melatonin? I was slapped with D213.00 back in April, and it states “Chronic Insomnia within past year.”

They had asked about melatonin use that had been noted in a separate remedial that they sent me to. I had no idea that taking melatonin was by any means unacceptable for ascension standards, as most of my officers and fellow Sailors have taken it in the past.

I’m a prior enlisted Sailor — recently separated. I’ve been attending a maritime academy since that time, and have been spending significant time at sea over the past year. I never expected to have this much trouble with getting through medical with DoDMERB. I’m a bit frustrated at this point and am trying to figure out what my options are. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Hi
I just saw this post and am in the situation as you right now regarding the melatonin usage. I'm wondering whether or not you got the waiver for this, and if you did, how'd you do it. This really means a lot to me so if we could PM about it, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks.

 

[justdoit19]

Hi
I just saw this post and am in the situation as you right now regarding the melatonin usage. I'm wondering whether or not you got the waiver for this, and if you did, how'd you do it. This really means a lot to me so if we could PM about it, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks.

So sorry but the original poster hasn’t been back to the forums since March of ‘22. You won’t get a response from them.

Maybe post a new question in the DODMERB forum. You might get some traction, there.

 

[Capt MJ]

Hi
I just saw this post and am in the situation as you right now regarding the melatonin usage. I'm wondering whether or not you got the waiver for this, and if you did, how'd you do it. This really means a lot to me so if we could PM about it, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks.

This poster made 1 post and was last seen in 2022. It is doubtful you will get a response.

You work the process and provide any requested information about diagnoses, treatment, medications, evaluation, prognosis, current state, etc., from medical providers.

If you haven’t done this already, go to the DoDMERB website, read everything on the landing page and everything in the menu and links. Get smart on the process. You do not need a login to do this. Use laptop and not phone to see full site.

DoDMERB compares your medical history to the military medical accession standard and determines if you meet/do not meet the standard (Q/DQ).

Each commissioning program has its own waiver authority and waiver policy. Your case will be evaluated per policy, precedent, specific details of your case and needs of the service. Some DQs are rarely if ever waivered. Some are often waivered. Some waivers are dependent on a time element, such as time elapsed from surgery or taking certain medication. Some waivers have quotas. For example, USNA admits only a tiny handful of candidates with color blindness, and they are limited from going into several officer warfare specialties. Other commissioning programs have different waiver policies.

Service academies decide if the candidate is competitive enough to initiate the DoDMERB process for the candidate as well as request a waiver for the candidate if needed.

Finally, to help with understanding the critical driver behind the DoDMERB process, I often post the comments pasted in below;

The way to think about this is utilitarian, not from the individual’s POV, but the unit. The military medical accession bar is set very high. Military people routinely work in harsh, harsh operating environments, often remote and far from advanced medical care. High stress. High pressure. Relentless. Sleep deprivation. Physical danger from many sources. Some of the worst working conditions humans can endure. The safety of the unit is paramount, and the safety of the unit often depends on everyone being physically and mentally able to do their jobs and contribute. That’s why the military looks for people who are the least vulnerable to illness, injury or recurrence of past conditions. In “normal” life, these people can carry on just fine. High op tempo evolutions in or near a combat zone, or even the pressure cooker of a service academy, might be a hairsbreadth too much. Utilitarianism: the good of the many outweighs the good of the few. It’s not about you. It’s about the people relying on you - and the mission.

 

[Capt MJ]

So sorry but the original poster hasn’t been back to the forums since March of ‘22. You won’t get a response from them.

Maybe post a new question in the DODMERB forum. You might get some traction, there.

Yes, excellent, DoDMERB forum is the better place.

 

[soapywaterr]

This poster made 1 post and was last seen in 2022. It is doubtful you will get a response.

You work the process and provide any requested information about diagnoses, treatment, medications, evaluation, prognosis, current state, etc., from medical providers.

If you haven’t done this already, go to the DoDMERB website, read everything on the landing page and everything in the menu and links. Get smart on the process. You do not need a login to do this. Use laptop and not phone to see full site.

DoDMERB compares your medical history to the military medical accession standard and determines if you meet/do not meet the standard (Q/DQ).

Each commissioning program has its own waiver authority and waiver policy. Your case will be evaluated per policy, precedent, specific details of your case and needs of the service. Some DQs are rarely if ever waivered. Some are often waivered. Some waivers are dependent on a time element, such as time elapsed from surgery or taking certain medication. Some waivers have quotas. For example, USNA admits only a tiny handful of candidates with color blindness, and they are limited from going into several officer warfare specialties. Other commissioning programs have different waiver policies.

Service academies decide if the candidate is competitive enough to initiate the DoDMERB process for the candidate as well as request a waiver for the candidate if needed.

Finally, to help with understanding the critical driver behind the DoDMERB process, I often post the comments pasted in below;

The way to think about this is utilitarian, not from the individual’s POV, but the unit. The military medical accession bar is set very high. Military people routinely work in harsh, harsh operating environments, often remote and far from advanced medical care. High stress. High pressure. Relentless. Sleep deprivation. Physical danger from many sources. Some of the worst working conditions humans can endure. The safety of the unit is paramount, and the safety of the unit often depends on everyone being physically and mentally able to do their jobs and contribute. That’s why the military looks for people who are the least vulnerable to illness, injury or recurrence of past conditions. In “normal” life, these people can carry on just fine. High op tempo evolutions in or near a combat zone, or even the pressure cooker of a service academy, might be a hairsbreadth too much. Utilitarianism: the good of the many outweighs the good of the few. It’s not about you. It’s about the people relying on you - and the mission.

Thank you for the insights. I appreciate it.

 

[soapywaterr]

So sorry but the original poster hasn’t been back to the forums since March of ‘22. You won’t get a response from them.

Maybe post a new question in the DODMERB forum. You might get some traction, there.

Thank you again. I will definitely do that.