I had the same issue. I took ADD meds for a period a year ago and my recruiter insisted that I wait until a full year had passed since I last took it until I could apply, and that I go see the psychiastrist that prescribed the meds to me and have him reevaluate me. He ended up writing a letter giving me a clean bill of health so to speak saying that the meds were not necessary for me to function and that he didn't envision me having any problems being off them, and my recruiter included the letter in my application.
I've been commissioned for 6.5 years with a waiver for childhood ADD with previous medication use. It was virtually painless, and I'm still on flight status. Don't lie.
Thanks for sharing this; it really helps ease my concerns about being able to join with an ADD treated medical history. When did you stop taking the medicine though? I've been told it might be easier to get the waiver if you stop taking it at 12.
Don't lie.
So I was on them from 19 to 22, got a doctor's note, went to MEPS last week, told them that ADHD (and two other diagnoses) were bullshit, the doc agreed, I've had an great GPA without them. They didn't request a waiver and said I was ok, nor did anyone have to look at my records (other than the civilian psychologist who wrote the letter).
My question now is this: will this crap come up again during flight physicals prior to/at OCS should I be accepted? Might there be another waiver in my future, or is it over and done with since I made it through MEPS?
MEPS physicals and NAMI style flight physicals are very different animals. One is gauging how well you meet the basic requirements for military entrance, the other for entrance into flight school. I would definitely plan on this being an issue again, that way you'll be ready for it.
You should find both the NAMI requirements and the waiver guide for SNAs, and know the rules verbatim wrt ADHD and the meds you took. You need to be ready to show in writing where you are either A) good to go, B) eligible for a waiver or C) (the not good one) NPQ.What can I do to be ready for it? As I said previously, I've been off the meds for three years (3.9 GPA, earned master's degree), and have a note from a doc giving me a good bill of mental health. What else should I expect?
Can you explain more about the "strange issues"?You should find both the NAMI requirements and the waiver guide for SNAs, and know the rules verbatim wrt ADHD and the meds you took. You need to be ready to show in writing where you are either A) good to go, B) eligible for a waiver or C) (the not good one) NPQ.
Here is the thing, people without any history of illness have problems with NAMI. They show up, get through a physical in which they perceive that they had no problems only to find out some strange issue that may or may not happen and get declared NPQ. That is what it is called the NAMI Whammy.
I don't know where you can find the NAMI physical requirements or the waiver guide- I would suggest the NAMI/NOMI website.
No one cares more about your situation than you do. Remember that. Do your prep work and know what you need before you show up. Don't expect that someone else will know better than you do. Ask questions.