<p>You should have gotten a letter from DoDMERB stating you were disqualified. A page should have been attached that included the waiver request procedure...I think if you go to the DoDMERB site and log in under "Applicant" you can get a link at the top that has the same information. I ended up writing a letter requesting a waiver, then had to send a statement from my allergist about a month later.</p>
<p>EP,
January of your Plebe year you will be applying for security clearance and you will have to sign a document giving up your medical privacy rights for a year, this includes records from doctors, mental health professionals, nurse-practitioners, etc. You also have to agree to open up sealed court records, etc.<br>
OMW2</p>
<p>well, since i'm in the army now- i can tell you what gets checked.</p>
<p>there are a bunch of levels of security clearances, but 3 main ones.</p>
<p>confidential
secret
top secret</p>
<p>to be a cadet in rotc or west point, you need a secret clearance. most soldiers only need a secret. you must have a security clearance to carry a weapons. if you lose you clearance, you get kicked out of the army. top secret is really only for weird stuff. for example, my c.o. and x.o. both have secret clearances. secret only checks your background from criminal stuff and financial stuff. (which most young people dont have to worry about) but if you defaulted on 3 credit cards, forget getting a clearnance. top secret goes through medical records and takes a long time to get. secret takes about a year. secret is valued at $3000, wheras top secret is around $15000.</p>
<p>Oh wow. Interesting 8IzEnuff. So the Army usually doesn't even go through/verify your medical records?</p>
<p>no- think about how expensive that would be? only if you need a top secret clearance. and usually they only look for antidepressant medications and ritalin and stuff like that. aside from "crazy meds", its not a problem.</p>
<p>oh, and being an alcohol or a drug addict is not good either.</p>
<p>8IzEnuff,
My son is a Yearling and I asked about the document he signed and it does call out medical records very specifically, but it does make sense that it would be very expensive to check all records. The OP has to decide whether or not to notify Dodmerb about the Ritalin he's taken in the past. Isn't there a form that ask about long term prescription use other than antibiotics?
OMW2</p>
<p>they always can, they just dont. when i signed my enlistment doc, you basically sign away everything.</p>
<p>so here's my question, and I'd appreciate all the answers I can get:</p>
<p>If we find out I've taken ritalin within the last 12 months, which is very possible, am I automatically disqualified? Is the waiver a way for me to bypass this rule? Is there any way for me to get into West Point if I've taken ritalin in the last year??</p>
<p>Okay, just 'cause I am a teacher I have to ask this. If, as you said, "It has never affected my academic performance or social behavior" then why were you taking it? Even if a student has an attention deficit problem or ADD/hyperactivity, meds are generally not prescribed unless these difficulties are impacting academics. This will be included in their questioning, and if you say what is quoted above, then it will just sound as if you were taking a drug you had no need for, which may even be worse than taking a drug which helped you to overcome impulsivity, disorganization, and which allowed you to learn to focus. </p>
<p>Just trying to help you form your argument. I understand and have witnessed kids that have really made huge gains with it as well as kids that have been taking it unnecessarily. This was not in your control, but whether or not you continue to take it is. Also, they will probably assume that your use stopped when the last filled prescription ran out. So go with that date as the last plausible use, rather than the date the last prescription was refilled. Oh, and were you taking it at home or at school? School records may be helpful. Good luck. You have gotten a great deal of good advice here on this forum, but, ultimately, none of us are certain.</p>
<p>Momof1-</p>
<p>A great question. What I meant by that was I stopped taking Ritalin because I began to see no difference when I was on and off it. ADHD has made me stubborn, made me never quit. I do well academically because of the energy that ADHD gives me. It was prescribed when I was 5, and with good reason. I was a mess back then, always getting into trouble and what not. It probably was neccessary at some point, but definitely not as neccessary in high school. I have great grades, and outstanding SAT scores, and I've never been suspended or in any serious trouble. Back to the original question... am I permanently screwed if I find out I've taken Ritalin within the last 12 months?</p>
<p>To paraphrase an old commercial, Only DoDMERB knows for sure. IMHO, it would be worse if you hadn't declared it and they found out later.</p>
<p>Hey, I was on Aderall and was DQed last year for it. I finally got medically qualified this fall. I'd hate to see the same thing happen to you, so here are some suggestions:
1) Call DODMBERB. A lot. If they don't know you have taken Ritalin, and you're fine without it, consider not telling them. If they already know, then figure out if it is possible for you to become medically qualified. Ask them specifically what you need to do to get a waiver or to become qualified, and call a heck of a lot. Sometimes, they'll screw up and not send a letter home telling you some information (as they did with me last year), so make a list of what they tell you over the phone (ask for names and positions of everyone who is talking to you) and if something doesn't make sense, ask someone.
2) Anyone who has said "hey, I'll help you get in if you have problems", ask them for assistance in getting medically qualified. I don't know if this will really be that big of a help or not, but it's worth trying. </p>
<p>Hope this works out for the best, but if you are still DQ'd, seriously consider doing ROTC for a year and then reapplying. Best of luck.</p>
<p>and btw, i knew some kids who were on ritalin when they took the SAT and got special time considerations. If this was the case with you, your SAT scores would not be valid for an academy. good luck</p>
<p>Skirbby,
This young man has some very important decisions to make on his own and to suggest the following is not helpful, particulary for a person attempting to got to an Academy with stated high ethical standards. </p>
<br>
<p>1) Call DODMBERB. A lot. If they don't know you have taken Ritalin, and >you're fine without it, consider not telling them. </p>
<br>
<p>OMW2</p>
<p>Perhaps some clarifications are needed. DODMERB finds you either medically qualified or not. WP Admissions requests medical waivers you do not apply for them. Waivers are granted by the ranking medical officer at West Point.</p>
<p>Also, I have been monitoring these boards on and off for about 8 months and from time to time there are representatives from the various academy admissions offices clarify some issues. If EP has posted enough information in prior posts to identify himself then perhaps the WP Admissions Office are already aware of the issue.</p>
<p>One last point, if EP cannot work within the rules for the admissions process, how can he live by the Honor Code for 47 months?</p>
<p>GEB,</p>
<br>
<p>One last point, if EP cannot work within the rules for the admissions >process, how can he live by the Honor Code for 47 months?</p>
<br>
<p>That's the rub, isn't it.
"A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do."
If your first instinct is to blow those words off, maybe you're heading to the wrong place.
OMW2</p>
<p>Once again, provide accurate information. Be accountable instead of trying to find a loophole. Work within the system. If you are totally committed and are deemed medically unqualified due to the meds, then you have next year.</p>
<p>uugggh.... nobody has add. ritalin will make anyone study better just as alcohol will make anyone less shy. its like how they perscribe asthma medication to a top-notch cross country runner. meds are way overperscribed.</p>
<p>And your credentials to make such a statement, 8IzEnuff? Perhaps you should add IMO before the statement. While I agree that there may be those who are medicated unnecessarily, there are those who truly need the meds to perform at their best academically. </p>
<p>As to your statement, "nobody has ADD," it is a recognized diagnosis. So, take it up with the medical community, rather than dissing those who may have been put on it as young children by parents/physicians who thought they were doing the right thing. </p>
<p><em>Steps down off soapbox</em></p>
<p>Happy New Year!</p>