Ladies, Gentlemen, and fine members of the Navy Medical Community,
I just got back from MEPS today and was disqualified due to concerns over my potentially having a personality disorder even though there was no conclusive evidence pointing to this conclusion. I was wondering if there was anybody on the board who was familiar with the waiver process for this kind of thing as my recruiter (as awesome as he is) and the Navy liason folks at the MEPS station didn't quite know how to handle my case. If there is someone, I would really appreciate it if they could converse via PM with me and provide some guidance. Thank you all in advance.
Below are the guidelines for personality disorders according to NAMI:
I just got back from MEPS today and was disqualified due to concerns over my potentially having a personality disorder even though there was no conclusive evidence pointing to this conclusion. I was wondering if there was anybody on the board who was familiar with the waiver process for this kind of thing as my recruiter (as awesome as he is) and the Navy liason folks at the MEPS station didn't quite know how to handle my case. If there is someone, I would really appreciate it if they could converse via PM with me and provide some guidance. Thank you all in advance.
Below are the guidelines for personality disorders according to NAMI:
NAMI said:14.9 PERSONALITY DISORDERS
AEROMEDICAL CONCERNS:
Maladaptive personality traits may lead to flight safety problems. Aeronautical adaptability involves a person's coping mechanisms, personality style, and defense mechanisms. These may impact on the member’s ability to undergo training, safety in aviation environments, and the ability to interact in a harmonious way with other crew members. Certain personality traits may produce thrill seeking behavior, conflicts with authority, emotional lability, questionable judgment and poor impulse control, or inflexibility incompatible with the rigors of aviation duty.
WAIVER:
Personality disorders result in the member being found to be NAA. Maladaptive traits which impact on aeronautical performance also result in the member being found to be NAA. Once an individual is found NAA, it is unlikely that they will be found AA at a later date. Therefore, no waivers can be considered for aeronautical adaptability. If, however, the patient demonstrates over a period of 2-3 years a substantial personality maturation in terms of their ability to sustain the stressors of the aviation environment, work in harmony with other members, and stabilize their personal life and turmoil, they may then be considered for reevaluation by a Psychiatrist or Psychologist. This evaluation shall preferably be done at NAMI Psychiatry provided both the patient and his/her command have a strong desire to return to flight status. Questions regarding the aeronautical adaptation of designated aviation personnel should be referred to NAMI Psychiatry by telephone consultation. Designated pilots and NFOs should be referred to NAMI Psychiatry for evaluation.
INFORMATION REQUIRED:
1. Psychiatric evaluation (must also clarify suitability for general and special duty)
TREATMENT:
Treatment of personality disorders requires long term intensive psychotherapy, which is incompatible with aviation duty.
DISCUSSION:
The diagnosis is largely based on the history of pervasive behaviors or traits that are characteristic of the person's recent and long term functioning (since early adulthood) which cause social or occupational impairment or subjective distress. Psychometric testing such as the MMPI may be abnormal in Class 2 personnel, but is frequently normal in SG I and SG II personnel. The stress of military life frequently exacerbates maladaptive behavior and the diagnosis becomes apparent in the operational environment.
ICD-9 CODES:
301.0 Paranoid PD
301.20 Schizoid PD
301.22 Schizotypal PD
301.83 Borderline PD
301.81 Narcissistic PD
301.50 Histrionic PD
301.60 Dependent PD
301.7 Antisocial PD
301.82 Avoidant PD
301.40 Obsessive Compulsive PD
301.9 Personality Disorder NOS