Antidepressants are disqualifying for one year after you stop taking them. You must stop with your doctor's advice; do not stop on your own. These medications often have to be reduced slowly to lower side effects and reduce risk of relapse.
Can You Enlist If You Have Depression? A person with a depressive disorder must be stable, without treatment or symptoms for a continuous 36 months, to be eligible to enlist.
CII stimulants taken for ADHD/ADD, like Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall, Dexedrine, Focalin XR, Vyvanse, etc. Sedative hypnotics/amestics, when taken for more than three months for the treatment of chronic insomnia. This includes Ambien, Ambien CR, Lunesta, Sonata, ProSom, Halcion, Restoril, Dalmane, etc.
In the Army, Navy, and Marines in particular, recruiters largely advise applicants with ADHD to be off any and all stimulant or nonstimulant medications for at least one year. Some recruiters, notably within the Air Force, tell applicants they must be off medication for 15 months or more.
Antidepressant medications are commonly prescribed and generally do not limit deployability.
“That's happening right now.” While a mental health diagnosis generally disqualifies a recruit from the military, therapy and medication are available to service members diagnosed while in uniform.
Some specific mental health conditions and certain controlled prescription medicines, for example Ativan and stimulants, remain disqualifying if they must be used to achieve normal duty performance. Your medical provider can help you understand these exigent circumstances; all applicable policies are listed below.
Although services can accept applicant waivers with less stringent restrictions (e.g., the Air Force will consider waivers for recruits stable off medications for 15 months), ADHD diagnosis is consistently a common disqualifier for military service.
Realistically, and perhaps in alignment with the military's reasoning — if a person with ADHD cannot function well and be productive without medication, then they are probably not a good fit for the military. You don't want to be in a combat environment, for example, and run out of medication.
In the military's scheme of things, serious disorders such as major depression, anxiety or schizophrenia may be grounds for medical discharge or retirement, usually depending on their severity and amenability to treatment.
Trained healthcare personnel may determine if the Service member requires further evaluation or health education and contact the Service member. The MHAs consist of a two-stage self-report assessment using validated tools to assess alcohol use, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depressive symptoms.
The most common mental health problems among personnel and veterans are depression, anxiety and alcohol problems. Some people experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
A diagnosis of depression does not automatically preclude a member from deploying provided they have been effectively treated and have been free of symptoms for a specified period of time.
Adjustment disorder is the most commonly diagnosed mental health disorder in active duty service members. It accounted for nearly one third (30.8%) of incident mental health diagnoses in the period from 2016 to 2020, far more than post-traumatic stress disorder (7.7%), anxiety (16.7%), or depressive disorders (16.5%).
In some cases, depression is debilitating enough to lead to a military discharge. However, while many types of depression are typically treatable, this is not the case for everyone. Therefore, even treatable depression could lead to a medical discharge for depression if the symptoms continue for a long period of time.
However, because ADHD is not disqualifying per se, individuals who want to serve in the military are encouraged to pursue this option, along with other career possibilities.
Generally, people who are enlisted are not permitted to take ADHD medication, particularly stimulant medication. In addition, the recruiter will want to verify that the individual is able to function adequately while unmedicated.
Past behavioral issues, to include cutting, bipolar disorder and depression, as well as drug and alcohol abuse generally prevent someone from enlisting or earning a commission. However, the Army will grant waivers in some cases.
Why does it matter? Being in the Army can be challenging both physically and mentally. Therefore, a history of health problems or the presence of health conditions that usually don't affect your everyday life, can mean that you're not able to join, or you might have to wait to join.
Panic disorders are a significant consequence of active duty military service. Psychologists and therapists recognize that serving in the military can lead to severe and debilitating psychological symptoms. A veteran living with a panic disorder may be entitled to disability benefits from the VA.
Anxiety is a common health issue for military members. Therapy and treatment may be available at a military facility. A primary care manager can refer them for treatment. The Department of Veteran's Affairs is another place that offers support.
The ideal height requirement for men in the military is between 60-80 inches / 152-203 cm. Anyone above or below this requirement is likely to get rejected. The height limits are standard, and anyone within this height range can get accepted as long as their weight corresponds to the correct weight limit.
Yes, people with autism spectrum disorder can join the military, navy, air force, marines, and coast guard.
The absence of one or both testicles, whether congenital, acquired, or unexplained absence of a testicle is also unacceptable according to military standards.