Does Adhd disqualify my son from the military, this is what he wants his life career to be? Needing help

[miniature1089]

Needing help; when my son started school in kindergarten. He would get his work done and get up and touch the American flag. Well, the teacher put him in; in school suspension. I get a phone call from the principal stating my son is mostly like ADHD and I needed to get him tested. I take him into the family doctor which tells me he read up on it the night before. Told me to take him to this other doctor because he could not diagnose him. So we went to the other doctor (which NEVER diagnose him) we just found out. He is now 18yrs old and want to enlist in the military which is saying if he is ADHD it disqualify him. But he has not taken medication in over 4 yrs now and passing every class plus he is graduating early (He took his junior and senior year together) So there is no diagnose saying he is ADHD but he was given the medication for it. But in all his medical files there is no diagnoses.

[EJsMom]

Has your son actually went to see a recruiter?

I was told ADHD can disqualify you from military service.

However, the person I asked about it said if you say nothing about ADHD and you’re not currently taking any medication then the military can take you...

Sounded like it’s case by case basis.

[Pennywink in reply to EJsMom]

What EJsMom said is my understanding as well, though I do not know anyone who has been through the process to confirm beyond what I’ve read.

[seller]

My son tried to enlist in the Navy at age 19 and he was disqualified despite the fact that he was also not on medication. He had several friends who also disqualified for the same reason. The military has access to all of your son's health records, and can see all of his history. I have heard that you can ask for a waiver, if you want to do all the work. My son's recruiter was completely useless....I am sure he knew all along that my son would be disqualified, but he wanted his "numbers" to be high. Again, I've heard the same thing from others. My son was crushed when he was sent home from boot camp (yes, they let him get all the way to camp!), but it's 4 years later, he is in college and most importantly - he realizes he needs his medication daily.

[anirush]

My daughter was going to join the Army. She actually had started the enlistment processing started working out. And then changed her mind like she did about so many things back then and dropped out.

I couldn't tell you if she mentioned past medication or diagnosis

[Want2BHappy3]

Hell need to speak to a recruiter, different military branches have different things that are not acceptable.

[Grateful17]

It seems so unfair. There are so many kids that have taken stimulants and I'm sure a lot of people want to get diagnosed as ADD to get stimulants! Think of all the college kids that trade adderrall for money! I hope he can fulfill his dreams and this country would be lucky to have him serve

[CBitt575]

This is a good read that may help in your son’s circumstance: additudemag.com/uncle-sam-d...

[EJsMom in reply to CBitt575]

Thank you for posting the article.

[Terrilynn04]

Having served for 16 years in both the Active Duty Air Force and now the Air National Guard, I’ve learned that nearly everything is waiverable. And if his recruiter tells him it’s not, find another recruiter. If it’s his dream, then do not take no for an answer. In any case...I HIGHLY recommend the officer route via an ROTC scholarship or service academy. Unlike the story told by the recruiters, it’s very difficult to juggle college courses while fulfilling your enlisted duties. It’s much easier to knock out college in 4-5 years vs. spend a decade making very little in pay only to have to start over in the officer rank structure IF you even get selected to be an officer candidate. My 2 cents.