4 ms·

I have been trying for many months to commission into the Reserves. I have a number of reasons to want to do this, not least of which is that I know that they a

I have been trying for many months to commission into the Reserves. I have a number of reasons to want to do this, not least of which is that I know that they are severely lacking manpower in the field I work in and I want to do my part in remedying that. Every time I have spoken with a recruiter, they have told me that the only way in is to get "undiagnosed" with ADHD in writing, wait a year, then get past MEPS and immediately get re-diagnosed so that I can continue taking the medication I need to actually do the job I have. One even told me he just got his diagnosis the day after MEPS. I have spoken with people all the way up to a Major about this and it really is just that stupid to get in, for no real benefit, since the military does not care if you have ADHD once you are in.

gnarbarian 2y ago
maybe you can get in as a contractor?
musha68k 2y ago
Interesting, I would have assumed any army would have a higher proportion of people on the ADHD spectrum.
- sickofparadox 2y ago
  Apparently it does, just none of them happened to know about their condition before they joined. What are the chances?!
quercusa 2y ago
Went through this with my son, whom the recruiter recognized as very well suited for a particular specialty. But the lying and the whole rigamarole about being diagnosed once in because "everybody knows what's going on" made him lose any interest.
ryandrake 2y ago
This is a huge issue in civil aviation, too, for people wanting to become pilots. ADHD (if you currently require medication) is disqualifying and there are many illnesses, especially neurological, that will disqualify you if you were ever in your life diagnosed, regardless of whether you are currently displaying symptoms or taking medication. This applies if you want to fly passenger airliners down to a little two person Cessna. And now we have a shortage of pilots throughout the training pipeline. Government applications for things in general have way too many “have you ever in your life” questions. No recognition at all that people change throughout their lives, medically and otherwise.
- nine_k 2y ago
  That's because CYA is one of the most powerful three-letter agencies :(

gnarbarian 2y ago

maybe you can get in as a contractor?

musha68k 2y ago

Interesting, I would have assumed any army would have a higher proportion of people on the ADHD spectrum.

sickofparadox 2y ago
Apparently it does, just none of them happened to know about their condition before they joined. What are the chances?!

quercusa 2y ago

Went through this with my son, whom the recruiter recognized as very well suited for a particular specialty. But the lying and the whole rigamarole about being diagnosed once in because "everybody knows what's going on" made him lose any interest.

ryandrake 2y ago

This is a huge issue in civil aviation, too, for people wanting to become pilots. ADHD (if you currently require medication) is disqualifying and there are many illnesses, especially neurological, that will disqualify you if you were ever in your life diagnosed, regardless of whether you are currently displaying symptoms or taking medication. This applies if you want to fly passenger airliners down to a little two person Cessna. And now we have a shortage of pilots throughout the training pipeline. Government applications for things in general have way too many “have you ever in your life” questions. No recognition at all that people change throughout their lives, medically and otherwise.

nine_k 2y ago
That's because CYA is one of the most powerful three-letter agencies :(