Expert: Rod Powers - 8/18/2006

Question
I am interested in joining the CG Reserve.  I recently stopped taking an antidepressant medication for social anxiety(not depression).  I had a public relations job and had to do a lot of presentations.  I realize you have to be off medicine for a year (by doctor) before being considered.  I took the medication for 5 years.  When 1 year is up do you think I should still pursue joining or would I likely be disqualified because I took the medicine.  I have a clean bill of health; exercise daily, never been hospitalized, no law violations, etc.  Thanks for your insight.

Answer
Hi Mark,

The fact is that nobody can say for sure. Not me, not your recruiter, not anybody.

Just to qualify for a waiver, you would have to be off the medication for at least a year. Even after that, you would require a waiver.

As I said, nobody can tell you what the chances are that a waiver would be approved. Each and every waiver is evaluated individually, and depends on several individual factors, including the exact circumstances surrounding the disqualifying condition, the applicants other qualifications (ASVAB score, civilian experience that would relate to the military job, other medical qualifications, education level -- and probably most important -- how bad that particular branch of the service needs your particular warm body at this particular point in time. In other words, how are they doing in meeting their recruiting goals? If they are meeting their goals without accepting applicants who need a waiver, why should they process a waiver for you?)

When one year is up, lots are going to depend on the current recruiting situation for the service you want to join (in this case, the CG Reserves), along with the other factors I mentioned.

Right now, in order of priority of which service needs applicants the most, it's as follows (keep in mind this can change at any time):

Active Duty Army
Army Reserves
Army National Guard
Active Duty Marine Corps
Air Force National Guard
Navy Reserves
Air Force Reserves
Marine Corps Reserves
Active Duty Navy
Active Duty Coast Guard
Coast Guard Reserves
Active Duty Air Force

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my military information website at: http://usmilitary.about.com

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com