Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 2/9/2009

Question
My son is 27 and is making his way through the enlistment process for the
Army. At his physical he mentioned that when he was a child, he took
medication for ADD up until about the age of 15. We decided then that he
really didn't need it and now at the age of 27, hasn't had any issues with
ADD. He was told that MEPS then needed the records from  his pediatrician
which he did get. Is this something that can disqualify him or do they just
need it for documentation? He graduated and event went on to Culinary
School and has had a successful career in the restaurant business until the
recent downturn of the economy.  Military has always been in the back of his
mind so he wants to join now while he's still fairly young. Thank you for your
time.

Answer
Dear Robin --

Your son will likely need a medical waiver for a history for childhood ADD.  Since he has achieved success as an adult, his waiver should go through without a problem.  It is also possible that the MEPS physician will determine that ADD was a childhood condition that is no longer affecting your son, and qualify him medically without a waiver.

God luck to him.  Please write back, if you have additional questions during the enlistment process.