Maximize chances for waiver

[strider_91]

Hello all,
I know this is for service academies, which is by why I am going for a dodmerb physical, but you all seem to have the most information.I have recently been accepted to an MD program and wish to join the national guard, but would like to know my chances before I get my hopes up. 7 years ago, when I was 18 I was involuntarily committed to a mental health facility because I took a hallucinogen and had an adverse reaction to it. Psychiatrists thought I had bipolar disorder, and I was treated with medication for about 2 years until I switched psychiatrists. The new psychiatrist says I did not have bipolar disorder and that it was an adverse reaction to the hallucinogen. I got off of the medication, got my life together, and have gotten myself into my states top medical school. I have not drank alcohol or done a drug in about 7 years and have not taken psychiatric medication in over 5 years and have also not been in treatment.

Do you think there is a shot I get a waiver? Is there anyone I can contact to improve my chances, or have a physician write a letter on my behalf saying that I am fit to serve? For example, I shadowed a colonel in the national guard, who is a physician, that may vouch for me that I am on the right track (I haven't asked him yet because I don't want him to know about my past unless it will help my chances).

I spoke to a recruiter who said they may waive me because I would be going in on a physician track and the army needs more of them but I don't want to get my hopes up.

Thanks in advance

 

[5Day]

Here's the disclaimer. I am not a physician. I am not an employee of DoDMERB. I am just an anonymous voice on an online forum. And this is just my opinion. I may be totally wrong and you will never know until you go through the process.

Your chances are slim to none.
The military does not like psychiatric issues in your medical history. Linked is a list of conditions that are non-waiverable for the Army. I would assume it is very similar for all the other branches. Psychiatric issues make up almost half the list. Most likely you have a bipolar diagnosis in your history. Although you may say that it was misdiagnosed, and your current Dr says it was misdiagnosed, it is still in your record.
https://www.jmu.edu/rotc/prospective-cadets/Non-waiverable medical conditions.pdf

 

[AJC]

Slim just left town.

 

[AROTC Parent]

Hello all,
I know this is for service academies, which is by why I am going for a dodmerb physical, but you all seem to have the most information.I have recently been accepted to an MD program and wish to join the national guard, but would like to know my chances before I get my hopes up. 7 years ago, when I was 18 I was involuntarily committed to a mental health facility because I took a hallucinogen and had an adverse reaction to it. Psychiatrists thought I had bipolar disorder, and I was treated with medication for about 2 years until I switched psychiatrists. The new psychiatrist says I did not have bipolar disorder and that it was an adverse reaction to the hallucinogen. I got off of the medication, got my life together, and have gotten myself into my states top medical school. I have not drank alcohol or done a drug in about 7 years and have not taken psychiatric medication in over 5 years and have also not been in treatment.

Do you think there is a shot I get a waiver? Is there anyone I can contact to improve my chances, or have a physician write a letter on my behalf saying that I am fit to serve? For example, I shadowed a colonel in the national guard, who is a physician, that may vouch for me that I am on the right track (I haven't asked him yet because I don't want him to know about my past unless it will help my chances).

I spoke to a recruiter who said they may waive me because I would be going in on a physician track and the army needs more of them but I don't want to get my hopes up.

Thanks in advance

What kind of recruiter did you talk to? Are you joining the NG as a medical student through an AMEDD recruiter? Are you enlisting into the NG or commissioning? What program are you attempting to utilize for accessions? This is a significant distinction compared to applicants on this forum.

Most NG recruiting processes use MEPS, not DoDMERB/DODMETS. The 'physical' and medical review process are different though the 'base' standards are the same.

The medical/legal conditions you identified (drug use, MH inpatient, length of MH treatment) will not likely be waivered. You do realize you may have difficulty with medical licensing in some states because the involuntary MH commitment was triggered by illegal drug use, right? Good on you for overcoming these choices as a young adult - No matter what happens with joining the military keep this positive path. Many, many, many, medical students make it through on loans alone - especially at their state school.

You could consider the use of the military medical consultants referenced in this forum.

 

[strider_91]

What kind of recruiter did you talk to? Are you joining the NG as a medical student through an AMEDD recruiter? Are you enlisting into the NG or commissioning? What program are you attempting to utilize for accessions? This is a significant distinction compared to applicants on this forum.

Most NG recruiting processes use MEPS, not DoDMERB/DODMETS. The 'physical' and medical review process are different though the 'base' standards are the same.

The medical/legal conditions you identified (drug use, MH inpatient, length of MH treatment) will not likely be waivered. You do realize you may have difficulty with medical licensing in some states because the involuntary MH commitment was triggered by illegal drug use, right? Good on you for overcoming these choices as a young adult - No matter what happens with joining the military keep this positive path. Many, many, many, medical students make it through on loans alone - especially at their state school.

You could consider the use of the military medical consultants referenced in this forum.

Yeah I figured that it was a long shot. You can get licensed to become a physician with inpatient commitments, I have no criminal record.

I have read multiple blogs about students with mental illness that come about while in school. If it were an issue schools would make you show them your medical records before accepting you. I may reconsider putting my story on a federal document and even applying to the guard. You make a good point.


Edit: ibwould have been commissioning through the AMEDD program as a medical student and joining up with a medical unit but everything seems to be screaming that there is no shot unless I lie and try to hide it which I am absolutely not doing. I'm not a liar.