<p>the road to hell is paved with good intentions</p>
<p>....Alrighty then. Really hope no one you are ever in charge of has this issue with their children in school. Doesn't sound as if you will be a very compassionate officer for that person. Remember, those you lead will be facing a myriad of difficulties that have little to do with the military, and a response or perception of that attitude from you could be a real detriment. And don't think that officers are far removed from the dependent schools. We work hand in hand. I know we really appreciate the officers who work with the servicemember and the schools to make sure that life is taken care of so the servicemember can concentrate on their job. </p>
<p>Just another way of looking at it.</p>
<p>maybe i came off a tad brash. i have sincere concern about people taking "lifestyle" medications: ritalin, anti-depressants, birth control, etc... If you really cared about someone who has "add," you'd think twice before giving them a highly addictive, dangerous, schedule II drug. (same level as cocaine, morphine, etc.) Just because someone may not agree with you doesn't mean they have the "wrong attitude."</p>
<p>8IzEnuff, you are so right about really thinking twice about these drugs. I never said you had the "wrong attitude," and believe me, I also believe that these drugs are probably overprescribed. The fact remains, though, that these decisions are medical ones. Teachers do not write the scripts, nor do parents. Perhaps when you are a parent you will better understand how heart-wrenching it is for these parents when their child cannot seem to adjust to school and is constantly in trouble for very serious issues, such as impulsively throwing implements, chairs, hitting, running through the room and hurting him/herself or others. I have not had to deal with this as a parent, but have been in many meetings when these sort of issues were addressed with the parents. The parents often agonize over these decisions, and the ones who do decide to take their child to the pediatrician then decide with the pediatrician what to do, sometimes with an observational record submitted by the teacher. </p>
<p>I would hesitate to describe any ADD/ADHD med as a lifestyle drug. Please think twice before making it sound as if parents blythely and without consideration put their children on such drugs. </p>
<p>Take care and have a happy and safe new year! You deserve it! And thanks for your service. :)</p>
<p>OnMyWay, I'm just giving the opinion that was given to me by an adult who attended the Naval Academy. I should have explained: this is a possible course of action, but not one that I advise taking (I didn't do it, even though I could).</p>
<p>On the subject of ADD, I think it's just society trying to make kids into something they're not. I also think it's about laziness. Why rehaul the educational system to make it condusive to real success for males when you can medicate the hell out of them and force them to learn like the majority of females? ADD medicine does make a person more focused, but it changes personality, and I'm not sure the price is worth paying to make kids more focused.</p>
<p>Just for the record, I got an 1180 on the SAT while on medication and a 1330 and 1360 when not on it. This could be simply due to motivation, which does more than any medication ever could (IMO).</p>
<p>anti depressents and birth control are "lifestyle drugs"?????</p>
<p>Hmmm...maybe the lipitor I take for high cholesterol is a "lifestyle drug" as well since I take it to make sure I stay alive as long as I can.</p>
<p>i dunno- is living as long as you possibly can nessesarily a good thing? walk through a nursing home. I just think that life's answers dont come from pills. i mean, i think the lord made us pretty good, and trying to mess with it may not be good. I mean, are people happier with their ritalin, birth control, lipitor, vallium, etc...? no, half of america is on prozac. all these meds make people who have real emotions crazy. we're all walking around drugged up zombies. i mean, those anti-depressants have suicide warning labels on them. i thought they were supposed to help. Also, liptor has only been shown to reduce cholesterol not reduce heart attacks. the even note that in big letters at the bottom of tv ads. just something to think about.</p>
<p>what i mean is that, we are replacing natural medicines like prayer, eating right, exercise, plenty of sleep, healthy relationships, strong families, and hard work with pills. is that really the best humanity can aspire to? pills?</p>
<p>I have a friend who has to take lithium for bi-polar disorder. She did need it and she is ok now. It really was biological. I understand where you're coming from, but is this really the place to argue this? I think it may get hostile, so maybe agree to disagree and let it be?</p>
<p>When in Rome..</p>
<p>Mumford do u go to valencia?</p>
<p>Skirbyy,
You did do it the right way and I admire you for it.
The rest of your post is interesting. In our society we are no longer sad but depressed. If a close one dies we have parameters in expressing our grief and if we grieve beyond those limits than a pill maybe prescribed.
The idea is that happiness should always be present, that this life should never be a "veil of tears" and heaven can be created here on earth.
We drug people and change their emotions and sometimes dull their creativity.
You have to wonder just what drugs would be recommended for Emily Dickinson, the "lonely and depressed" recluse. How many creative people have had thier senses dulled by the pharmacy.<br>
<strong><em>I'm not advocating schizophrenics get off their meds</em></strong>*
OMW2</p>
<p>"are people happier with their ritalin, birth control, lipitor?"</p>
<p>1-YES, 2-have no idea as I have no personal experience, and 3-YES. Overall the meds that science has provided via the brains the good God provided for us in the natural world have benefitted man at an immeasurable level. Science and medicine are not the enemy of man or God. The taking of meds does not preclude prayer, bowing to the east, or lighting a golden candle.</p>
<p>Our son really wanted to go Academy - HS Jr. year, he found out about "no ritalin" early on and decided to go bare after 8 years of on/off. Trust me, as a mom, I was a wreck because there was a very good reason he was put on meds (Adderall, etc) as a young kid. Tom Cruise and those who have not lived it should not cast stones. It was a tough year, but being bright and energetic, he did well academically and on SATs. Then DoMERB DQed him (he was honest), so we got him tested by 2 drs. who declared him non-ADD (and said many kids outgrow it, but there are plenty of adults out there needing meds). Son is doing OK and reports they are drug tested frequently, so no temptations. From military perspective, how would you like to be in the middle of a war, depending on someone who really needs meds and can't get them? So be honest and clean or it will haunt you.</p>
<p>"he found out about "no ritalin" early on and decided to go bare after 8 years of on/off. Trust me, as a mom, I was a wreck because there was a very good reason he was put on meds (Adderall, etc) as a young kid."</p>
<p>So he decided to get off the meds he needed or else he wouldn't get into the military academy? Not very "honest and clean". I understand your and his reasoning, but I can't see why someone would put their health in question like that especially if he was on them for "a good reason". If he needs the meds, stay on them whether usma has a policy or not. True, you prolly wont get in usma. But then again you won't get kicked out after you its determined you do have add. </p>
<p>I don't know if you'll understand my arguement, but I just don't see how what happened/was done was honorable. I could be misinterpreting the entire thing though.</p>
<p>Going off the meds was a very brave thing to do at the time as we didn't know how he would handle it and what would happen to his grades junior year. It was a process, after all, a lot changes between age 8-16. ADD is something that changes as kids develop mentally and physically; it is a condition, not a dread disease, and conditions change. If he fell apart, then back on meds and no academy. He could have gone to many fine schools. He wanted to serve his country -- it took a lot of effort on his part and he did make it all work legitimately and honestly, and in the appropriate amount of time and with a clear conscience about his medical records. </p>
<p>Look, everyone is different, develops at different rates for different reasons by different paths - eventually they get there (usually). Academies are not for everyone, nor should they be. His determination, focus and smarts make him a fine leader and I am darn proud of him.</p>
<p>Just wondering if ElPadrino has heard from DODMERB on his status.</p>
<p>not yet!! still waiting, getting a little impatient even though I understand the gov't takes a little while. I have a feeling I'm going to get DQ'ed-- unless Hanukkah ended early. Need a miracle.</p>
<p>
[quote]
8IzEnuff wrote:
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.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Your info on clearances isn't totally correct. A pretty good explaination on the process is at usmilitary.about.com .</p>
<p>whats not correct?</p>