Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 5/7/2009

Question
i was wondering if i would be eligible to join the marine corps or army if i have AD/HD

Answer
Dylan,
No.  If you're on medication for it you're disqualified for ALL Branches of the military because the drugs used to treat it like Ritalin or Concerta are controlled drugs with considerable "abuse potential."  If you have ADD or ADHD and DO NOT treat it with drugs then you are also disqualified.  Like the old saying goes, "You're damned if you do and damned if you don't."  

Use of ADD drugs is a permanent disqualifier for joining the military, because the drugs are a central nervous system stimulant and it is considered behavior modifying.  The implications are these are nasty drugs with lasting psychological side-affects which could make you a hazard to yourself and others.   While you probably could function normally in the military during peace time, the psychological aspects of combat could bring about all sorts of unknowns.  The psychological stress of military service is quite unlike the day-to-day life of a civilian.

Also, you have to complete a questionnaire that asks if you if you've EVER had ADD or ADHD, not just if you currently have it, and
they'll disqualify you because you might cost the government a lot of money in health care treatment down the road.

Sorry, but thanks for wanting to serve in uniform.
Colonel H