Medically Disqualified for Mental Health

A

Anonymous12345

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Apr 20, 2023
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Hello, I’ve recently been appointed to USAFA for ‘27, but I got DQ for a history of mental health. I’m currently in the waiver process, but I wanted to know if I stood any chance of getting the waiver.

My disqualification consisted of self harm and seeing a therapist for anxiety (I saw her for less than a year and only four total sessions). The self harm was years ago (when I was twelve) and it was a one time incident. I detailed that I was influenced by a group of friends and immediately regretted it. I haven’t done it since then. In my therapist’s clinical notes, it details that I had suicidal ideation related to my gender identity, but I am void of any suicidal ideation presently and have been for years. It states that the reason for seeing the therapist was to learn coping mechanisms for anxiety with slight depression. I hadn’t seen her since November, and in September she wrote a letter that stated she felt I was perfectly mentally stable. There was a period of me not seeing her for months (November-April), and the April session she wrote in the final note that I no longer have anything related to mental instability. She wrote another letter during the April session that stated she feels I am ready to join the Academy and the military. I also personally have been ready for years, I just had a couple moments that knocked me down but I have come back mentally stronger from this. I’ve never been on any medication and was never hospitalized. I wrote a letter detailing that I have grown mentally stronger and have learned better coping mechanisms and feel prepared to enter the military. I said my coping mechanisms include breathing exercises, running, hiking, swimming, and weightlifting. I also stated that I would be able to handle military lifestyle because I have experienced stress before, and I know how to expect it and handle it. I also have two recommendations from my college advisor and teacher that they feel I am mentally stable and can join the military. Both of their LORs detail my accomplishments and character. I acknowledged several times in my letter that I wasn’t downgrading my past mental health, rather, I owned up to it and stated that it was a time period of my life that I struggled with. But I chose to come back stronger and feel that my mental health is stronger than most others considering I have developed the strength through my experiences.

This has been my dream since I was a child, and I really do feel mentally stable and prepared. I’m just worried that the waiver review board won’t see it. Based on my profile, do I have any chance of getting a waiver?
 
I can't guess what the waiver board will do, but I think mental health should be treated just like "physical" health--if your doctor says you have healed or recovered, then that should carry a lot of weight. I certainly wish you the best.
 
Don't know about a waiver, but my DD's friend was denied for similar reasons for AFROTC and was told he had to wait for 3 years before he'd be considered. Hope that you don't have to wait though!
 
Anonymous12345 said:
Hello, I’ve recently been appointed to USAFA for ‘27, but I got DQ for a history of mental health. I’m currently in the waiver process, but I wanted to know if I stood any chance of getting the waiver.

My disqualification consisted of self harm and seeing a therapist for anxiety (I saw her for less than a year and only four total sessions). The self harm was years ago (when I was twelve) and it was a one time incident. I detailed that I was influenced by a group of friends and immediately regretted it. I haven’t done it since then. In my therapist’s clinical notes, it details that I had suicidal ideation related to my gender identity, but I am void of any suicidal ideation presently and have been for years. It states that the reason for seeing the therapist was to learn coping mechanisms for anxiety with slight depression. I hadn’t seen her since November, and in September she wrote a letter that stated she felt I was perfectly mentally stable. There was a period of me not seeing her for months (November-April), and the April session she wrote in the final note that I no longer have anything related to mental instability. She wrote another letter during the April session that stated she feels I am ready to join the Academy and the military. I also personally have been ready for years, I just had a couple moments that knocked me down but I have come back mentally stronger from this. I’ve never been on any medication and was never hospitalized. I wrote a letter detailing that I have grown mentally stronger and have learned better coping mechanisms and feel prepared to enter the military. I said my coping mechanisms include breathing exercises, running, hiking, swimming, and weightlifting. I also stated that I would be able to handle military lifestyle because I have experienced stress before, and I know how to expect it and handle it. I also have two recommendations from my college advisor and teacher that they feel I am mentally stable and can join the military. Both of their LORs detail my accomplishments and character. I acknowledged several times in my letter that I wasn’t downgrading my past mental health, rather, I owned up to it and stated that it was a time period of my life that I struggled with. But I chose to come back stronger and feel that my mental health is stronger than most others considering I have developed the strength through my experiences.

This has been my dream since I was a child, and I really do feel mentally stable and prepared. I’m just worried that the waiver review board won’t see it. Based on my profile, do I have any chance of getting a waiver?
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I am hoping for the best for you, but my DS was DQ'd and denied a waiver after he had 4 counseling sessions almost two years ago and took antidepressants for about 6 months, 1.5 years ago. He was 3Q'd and had a principal nom, but USMA denied the waiver. It may not be a hard and fast rule, but it seems like the SA's are sticklers about a minimum of 36 months with no medication or treatment. He had similar letters of support from his providers and dated case notes from a few years ago indicating that he would be OK to serve or attend a SA. In the end, it did not matter for him.
 
Did he have a personal statement? And do you know why he was seeing a therapist?
dumpyonion17 said:
I am hoping for the best for you, but my DS was DQ'd and denied a waiver after he had 4 counseling sessions almost two years ago and took antidepressants for about 6 months, 1.5 years ago. He was 3Q'd and had a principal nom, but USMA denied the waiver. It may not be a hard and fast rule, but it seems like the SA's are sticklers about a minimum of 36 months with no medication or treatment. He had similar letters of support from his providers and dated case notes from a few years ago indicating that he would be OK to serve or attend a SA. In the end, it did not matter for him.
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The SAs are extremely taxing mentally, emotionally, and physically. As I type this, recognition is in full swing. It is in everyone's best interest to wait the three years and not rush into it, IMO. There are other paths to commissioning that will give you the time and space for a waiver later. No one here can say, with certainty, what the waiver review will do, but I certainly wouldn't count on it, and have a back up plan ready to execute.
 
OP, stories here are not really going to be helpful to you, as everything is an individualized medical decision.

Your own physician/therapist will not be the one to opine on your fitness for service. Frankly, they cannot know the stressors/demands/readiness required for the demands of the military service.

You cannot go backwards and change your history. And your mental health is as important as your physical health.

Idk about DQ’s/waivers. Not my wheelhouse (nor anyone’s here, TBH). You can do a Google search of standards. Or search here on the forums. They have been linked before. It’s going to at least be DQ’ed. no idea about waivers.

You would be wise to have viable alternate plans. As everyone should. And put forth your best application.

No one here can advise you your specific outcome. But it’s the DOD/SA Medical doctors, not your own physicians, that will be deciding your medical.
 
T-37IP said:
The SAs are extremely taxing mentally, emotionally, and physically. As I type this, recognition is in full swing. It is in everyone's best interest to wait the three years and not rush into it, IMO. There are other paths to commissioning that will give you the time and space for a waiver later. No one here can say, with certainty, what the waiver review will do, but I certainly wouldn't count on it, and have a back up plan ready to execute.
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If my waiver gets denied, could I reapply three years later and get the waiver?
 
Anonymous12345 said:
If my waiver gets denied, could I reapply three years later and get the waiver?
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When your process is over, if necessary, reach out to admissions and discuss whether timing can be a factor in your specific situation. You might get some insight - though no guaranty of that.
 
Some cadets, accepted without any history of self harm or suicidal ideation, go on to self harm and attempt/commit suicide. Given the place is designed to produce extreme and prolonged stress, where anxiety, isolation and helplessness are deliberately applied stressors, I hope you can see why USAFA might set a high bar for offering a mental health waiver. Also, history tells us completed suicides can have a devastating effect on large groups of cadets. Work the process, but don't be surprised if they hold firm.
 
I am also DQ'd for history of self harm and adjusment disorder. I never knew I was diagnosed with adjustment disorder, so that was a suprise, and the self harm honestly shouldn't even count and I'm kicking myself for ever bringing it up, cause it was virtually nonexistent. The main DQ I have is post-concussive symptoms from 11 years ago that had no long term issues, but I'm also worried the mental health stuff will get in the way of a waiver.
 
NavyGirl06 said:
I am also DQ'd for history of self harm and adjusment disorder. I never knew I was diagnosed with adjustment disorder, so that was a suprise, and the self harm honestly shouldn't even count and I'm kicking myself for ever bringing it up, cause it was virtually nonexistent. The main DQ I have is post-concussive symptoms from 11 years ago that had no long term issues, but I'm also worried the mental health stuff will get in the way of a waiver.
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It’s interesting to me. My daughter had the self harm, depression, etc. And she also had concussions years before. I wonder if there is a connection.
 
A1Janitor said:
It’s interesting to me. My daughter had the self harm, depression, etc. And she also had concussions years before. I wonder if there is a connection.
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Don't know but late teens and early 20s are when all sorts of mental illnesses manifest even if there are no concussions. By the way, one of the premier researchers on concussions is at USAFA. Dr Chris D'Lauro has done research for the NCAA and has pioneered a get well plan implemented at USAFA and other institutions that explains how concussions affect classroom performance and how concussed students should be (slowly) integrated back into the classroom as they heal. Prior to this, schools would just tell athletes to stop suiting up and to go to class, where they could not concentrate or retain anything.
 
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