Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 7/16/2009

Question
Hello, My Name is Michael and my dream is to be a USCG rescue swimmer, i have one concern that may stop me from achieving this that is i have taken anti depressants for some of my life i have been off of the medication since this may, i wanted to know if this would stop me from being considered.the medication has never stopped me from excelling in sports and endurance. so do you think they will consider me if i sign up?

Answer
Michael,
Rescue swimmers must have the strength, endurance, and stamina to function for 30 minutes in heavy seas.  It requires tremendous upper body strength.  If you're in that great of physical condition I envy you.

Do you know much about the training you will receive and must survive?  In case you don't, the
The rescue swimmer training school in North Carolina has one of the highest student attrition rates of any special operations school in the military.  They have a dropout rate of more than 50%.  About 75 students enter the school each year, and about 35 graduate.
The 4 month course it's extremely difficult and is both physically and mentally taxing.  Many students don't even complete the first week.  A few years ago an entire class dropped out within the first week of training.

Now to answer your question.  Taking anti-depressants is not necessarily a disqualification.  It depends upon the drug you took to control it and how long you took it.  If you have stopped taking it (with your doctor's permission) you should be OK to join.  You will most likely need a letter from your doctor saying you no longer need it.

On the 75 question questionnaire that you will be asked to complete, there is only one question concerning such a problem.  The question reads exactly, "Have you ever seen a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, counselor or other professional for any reason (inpatient or outpatient) including counseling or treatment for school, adjustment, family, marriage or any other problem, to include depression, or treatment for alcohol, drug or substance abuse."  Because you must honestly answer yes to this, they'll want to know the details and ask for a letter from your doctor.  So if you have the letter in advance, you'll save a lot of time.

So I would say you have an excellent chance of making your dream come true!
I wish you all the best and salute you for wanting to serve your country in such a position.

Let me know sometime how it goes for you.

Colonel H

PS.  Sorry it took me so long to answer, my computer has been in the shop for repairs.