I have a son who has had ADHD since he was very young. He was on medication until he was 18, after which time he refused to continue taking it. He also has a history of exertional asthma, although he has never been prescribed any meds, and he only gets SOB at times when playing sports, such as ice hockey.
My son is now 21. Since graduating from high school he has gone to a vocational school 2 times and dropped out both times without completing either program. He has had at least 10 other jobs which he can only keep for a few months. The jobs seem too hard for him if they are productvity related, ie get this pallet together in a warehouse and wrapped within a limited timeperiod.
He has expressed an interest in joining the navy or airforce to try and get a fresh start to his life. Given his medical history of ADHD and asthma is there any way he could get in?
2006-09-04 04:25:13 · 11 answers · asked by crippen 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
It's possible though unlikely. If he actually gets asthmatic they won't take him. That combined with the history of ADHD medication, like I said, it's possible, he can talk to a recruiter, just be honest with the recruiter.
2006-09-04 04:29:51 · answer #1 · answered by Charles D 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Asthma automatically disqualifies him from the Air Force, I have friends that developed asthma while in the Air Force and either get separated or put on a non deployment status for the rest of there careers.
Here are a few options, one if he has never been medically diagnosed with asthma or ever been on any type of medicines he can possibly not tell the doctors at MEPS or the recruiters. Worst case scenario if he never tells anyone and keeps it under control he get at least some good training out of the military.
2006-09-04 08:23:24 · answer #2 · answered by ryanb790 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ma'am,
Prior to my deployment to Iraq (where I am currently serving) I was a Company Commander for a Reception Company (this is where new recruits are initially sent, it constitutes their first week of basic training) and prior to that I served in a recruiting Battalion.
Your son's ADHD could be prohibative, however, the asthma is most definitely a disqualifier. He is required to inform his recruiter of all medical issues, and if they are deemed by the MEPS as "minor" he might receive a waiver. As a Company Commander, I had to "remove" several Soldiers from the Army due to prior history of Asthma which they either developed in training or had previously and concealed it during their enlistment process (joined unlawfully by omitting their medical history - and they were punished prior to their separation).
Asthma is a very serious condition, and basic training is no time to test someone's stamina. Every year Soldiers die in basic training, I would hate for your son to be one of the unfortunate and preventable statistics.
On a final note - I completely agree with Sgt Squid's response above. He has a very good take on this situation.
2006-09-04 06:07:48 · answer #3 · answered by Forgiven 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
With the limited information you have provided and experience with ADHD myself, let me take a stab at this one.
First off- Does your son know you are blogging this for the world to see? (Does it have his approval?), or (as I suspect) you are coddling him. (Don't get mad) My email accepts ridicule and compliments equally. Either way, be truthful.
With that out of the way, let me say that a creative outlet is probably what is required of him, however, even creative people have deadlines. It seems to me that either through his own inability to perform due to the fact that: a) mom will protect me or b) I am genuinely tore-up- he still has to make it in a world full of mean people that don't care what his condition is.
I enjoy photography and took that into the Army. However the physical demands and deadlines are still there. The military cannot accept people who are looking for an easy way through life. The military cannot be your babysitter for your baby. There is no easy was unless you're some blue-blood. Judging by the information you gave, he's gotta work for a living.
If he truly cannot make it in the world, you can try for social security benefits, but I really don't feel he has made an honest attempt to work. Wrapping pallets of junk ain't the most satisfying of jobs and you can get quickly bored, especially with ADHD.
If he is still living at home and you can provide for him- that's great, because it takes the financial burden off of him to try to find a job that will make you happy. (I think that has something to do with it too) (It's a guess, but there it is)
I carry a notebook with me everywhere. I go nowhere without it. It organizes my thoughts and plans my day. It is my "paper brain."
Your son needs a paper brain. And he needs to use it.
I went to school year round, taking a couple of classes at a time and at MY pace. (Tough classes meant one class at a time) Nobody said a BA/BS degree has to take four years.
No burden of cramming for a lot of tests, and my sanity didn't suffer. I had to study though.
I have changed careers several times over the years and still haven't found my niche.
Often, small airports will allow you to work there if you just show an interest. Even volunteering to help with an oil change on a small plane goes a long way to getting a paid position, plus you can develop some real good friendships and learn about different jobs. (Being stubborn helps, because they're worried about insurance liability etc.) But all it takes is one person to let you in.
Is it that your son can't focus, or is it that he can always quit and come home? You might also look into depression, because he might be suffering from that too. Low self-esteem from a life of failures can do that too.
I've interjected some different points here and hope (and pray) that your son will find some beneficial and worthwhile career.
I mentioned photography, because that is my real true passion. With todays digital cameras, anyone can be an expert. A simple digital camera and a basic "how to" book will allow him to persue something that can also lead into a career. And he can learn it at his pace. With a short by-line, he can submit pictues to the local paper or magazines. And there are lots of photography contests out there too.
There are plenty of subjects out there too. I found that "gear heads" love to talk about their hotrods, but there are also nature scenes, construction sites, nurseries and the list goes on and on... There are places on the net where you can get sample releases for people to sign, but I digress...
Hopefully I gave you something to work with or thinkl about.
I wish you and your son well.
2006-09-04 05:33:19 · answer #4 · answered by Sgt Squid 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I live in Canada I heard of a kid with ADHD who is in our air cadet program where I live. Cadets is like your version of ROTC. This kid scored the best score in firing a rifle. I see the only problem with your son not getting into the military is the asthma part. But hey I am not the recruiting officer. I suggest you and your son go to the the air force and navy recruiting office in your area and talk to them. If he can't get into the forces full time there is the National Guard and Reserves units in your units that might take him. All you can do is try and see what happen.
2006-09-04 04:34:48 · answer #5 · answered by Gail M 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Honestly? Highly doubtful. Generally speaking, one must be off ADHD meds for 12 months and during that time, demonstrate the ability to function NORMALLY. By your own admission, he has not.. jumping from job to job and an inability to perform under pressure of deadline.
Coupled with asthma past age 12.. his chances are very slim.
2006-09-04 06:47:13 · answer #6 · answered by Mrsjvb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The answer will be most likely NO!!!! With the history of Exercise related Asthma, and the Need for ADHD Medications, and the fact that he DEFINITELY is STILL showing Symptoms of ADHD (you already told us he tried Vo-Tec twice, had a series of jobs -- none long term) -- so he can't even control his symptoms effectively.
2006-09-04 06:24:35 · answer #7 · answered by sglmom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My suggestion would be to try the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation in your area your son has a disability that they can help your son find tailored training and assistance financially with these programs. As for military I am a Veteran and was a boot camp Instructor and I seen many of kids set up for failure due to a simple disability.
2006-09-04 04:34:45 · answer #8 · answered by Ray W 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It would be in his best interest to not get in to the military. Besides people with chronic problems such as asthma couldn't survive rigorous training.
2006-09-04 04:29:59 · answer #9 · answered by EW 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Talk to a recruiter.
2006-09-04 04:43:13 · answer #10 · answered by Coast2CoastChat.com 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋