Enlistment Waiver

[DevilDogPR]

Have a friend with ADD. He takes medicine, but really wants to join the Corps. He has been told he needs to be off his medicine a year before he can enlist. Is it possible for him to get a waiver for this?

[BGW]

I honestly could not tell you, but your best chances would be talking to a recruiter because its their job to know these kind of things. Some one here might actually know, but you should still talk to a recruiter about it though.

[R Landry]

From Sgt Leprechaun:

Conditions which won't even be considered include ANYTHING that has to do with breathing difficulties since age 13, (if you were prescribed an inhalor, had/have asthma, missing a lung, or any OTHER breathing issues...) you are disqualified. Confirm this with a recruiter, but plan on that being the answer. Now, you might very well run marathons, play football, never used the equipment, and so on and so forth, but if you were PRESCRIBED it, the law PRESUMES you USED it. Go blame your overprotective parents, society, teachers, or whomever. That's just the way it is, and the way the Marine Corps will view it. No amount of complaining, crying, begging, or pleading will change that fact. Seek career opportunities elsewhere.


Next on the list, Mental disorders. No offense, folks, but if you suffer from depression, manic depressive, schzio, ADHD, ADD, attempted suicide, spent time in a mental ward, institution, or padded room of any sort, AS DIAGNOSED BY A LICENSED PHYSICIAN/MEDICAL PROVIDER, you are disqualified from enlistment. IF you were prescribed medication for any/all of the above, you will need to be COMPLETELY MEDICATION FREE FOR A MINIMUM OF ONE YEAR, AND HAVE A DOCTORS CERTIFICATION STATING YOU NO LONGER HAVE THE CONDITION WHICH RESULTED IN THE MEDICATION BEING PRESCRIBED to be "Considered" for a waiver, which in all likelihood, will be disapproved. (The military as a whole is realizing that it has taken in too many people with prior diagnosed mental issues that have re-occurred....). Why in the WORLD you believe you could successfully handle the rigors of Recruit Training, not to mention heavy and sustained combat, multiple deployments, and close living in somewhat harmony with 100 of your closest "Friends" without making any or all of those conditions WORSE, and becoming a liability to YOURSELF AND FELLOW Marines, is beyond me. Trust me, it's hard enough on folks that don't start out with these issues, much less already having them. Seek other career paths.

Broken bones: If you suffered a normal broken bone and it healed normally, with no issues, a waiver will likely be granted. IF you had to have pins, parts, metal things, etc, added, your chances of a waiver are poor. Still, YOU should contact a recruiter.

Taking medication of ANY kind, as prescribed by a LICENSED PHYSICIAN. You can't take it to recruit training. Disqualifed. See a recruiter for specific details. The one year rule may or may not apply.

Major surgeries: If you were born with missing parts (kidneys, testicles, etc etc) you are disqualified. If you had parts removed, including fingers, kidneys, testicles, breasts, etc, for any reason, you are disqualified. See a recruiter for fingertips, toes, toenails, or very MINOR things like that, including hernias getting fixed.

Scoliosis, diseases of the spine. Disqualified. Period.

Blood diseases: Generally disqualifed.

[Sgt Leprechaun]

And there you have it. Thanks Sgt Landry!