Expert: John L - 2/15/2011

Question
QUESTION: Hello, I am currently trying to enlist in the Navy but I'm pretty sure I will need a medical waiver because I was taking anti-depressants for about a year I've been off for 6 months and have been feeling great. I'm currently very early in the enlistment process (I take the ASVAB tomorrow) and I'm just trying to find any statistics on waivers related to my condition. The only factual scenarios I've read are people who clearly don't meet the critera for a waiver, such as people who've attempted suicide or been hospitalized because of depression. I haven't had any of that and I know each case is situational, so I don't think I should go off that. Also, I don't have a history of it, and I think it was definitely situational.

I'm really just wondering have you ever had an experience with anyone getting a medical waiver for depression? I'm just trying to find some postitive information to go upon, everything I've read online makes it sound damn near impossible to get a waiver. I don't think my recruiter is a good source of information since he told me it wasn't worth mentioning, and I think it definitely is. Other than this medical issue, I am totally qualified, I will have my associates degree completed this summer, and on the initial ASVAB test at the recruiter's office I got a 94 (and I've studied up for the real thing!).

ANSWER: It is going to be hard, it all depends on what your Dr says about your condition, on top of what a militray shrink thinks.  With the rise in suicide rates in the military due to deployments, even in the Navy, they are very weary or giving waivers when they have others that do not have history of a mental health issue.

with that being said, it does not mean that you can not get a waiver.  It is still possible.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Alright, thanks for letting me at least know its not impossible. Is there anything I can do to increase my odds of getting a waiver? I will have a degree in Computer Programming this summer. My score on the actual ASVAB was 97 and I'm told that will allow me to go into almost any job. I've heard lots of computer jobs are in demand right now, which is what I want to do. Would going for an in demand job help my chances at all?

Answer
The only thing you can do it hope that the Doctors feel you are not in danger of relapsing to any previous condition.
As far as computer job being in demand, that is incorect.  Very few jobs are in high demand, in fact, the military is pretty full and jobs in demand are the not so glorious jobs.  EVERYONE wants computer jobs, so you will have to get in line for the openings, but with your score, you should be qualified for a nice variety of careers.