Expert: John L - 8/16/2011

Question
My 21 year old son is trying to enlist in the Air Force.  He was diagnosed with ADHD and put on Adderall when he was 5.  He took the medication during the school year and went off the medication on breaks.  Last December 2010, during his second year of college, he decided to quit taking his medication in order to join the Air Force.  He understood that he would need to be off the medication for a year, but a recruiter intimated that he if he scored really well on the ASVAB, that may not necessarily be the case.

His recruiter sent him to take the ASVAB two months ago.  He scored in the 97th percentile and was pretty excited.  His recruiter told him that his medical records had to be sent to the Surgeon General for review.  Now, a month later, the recruiter says, "It doesn't look good," for him to be accepted.  My son is a gifted student and a model citizen.  He functions fine without the medication and doesn't demonstrate "significant impulsivity or inattention."

We have heard that having a diagnosis of ADHD after the age of 14 is NOW disqualifying.  Is that true?  What is the current standard regarding a diagnosis of ADHD and the Air Force?  Is there any current publication to which you could direct me?  I appreciate your time in responding.

Answer
All military branches have their own regulation for medical standards to join the military but all match Dept of Defense standards.

History of ADHD for such a long period of time is what the issue is, just because he went off the medication, does not mean the condition no longer exists.  Studies have shown that those with a long history of ADHD, who have taken meds for it to control it, relapse with the stress of military training an military life.

Many service members have some form of ADHD, as it is more common that you think, but most have never taken any meds for it past the age of 10.  I ma a good example, I was taking ritalin as a child, but not after age 10, so it wasn't even considered when I joined.

Dr's know that our kids are often medicated at the first sign of any type of adhd or ADD, but if they are on it for long periods of time, the body becomes dependant on those to operate, and if it shows up in the military to the point of needing meds, the serviceman is a liability to the mission of the military.

Since he turned 18, he chose to stay on it, if he would have gotten off it when he graduated HS, he would have had a better chance, his chances now are low, but there is always a chance.  Sometimes, a  reviewing Dr will pass the applicant.