Can someone with ADD join the military?

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Someone with ADD might be able to get into the military but one would not last very long. My recommendation: Don't even think about it.

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I am ADD and I was in the Navy for 4 years, recieved an honorable discharge, and learned a lot from the experience. However I must say that I had serious difficulties coping once I left the ordered life in boot camp. My son enlisted in the Air Force, and also is ADHD, his carreer was limted to a few short months before he was expelled for inability to conform. One of the most difficult problems I had was an inability to channel my energies into productiveness, which led to me being very irratable about simple orders that were questionable in their logic. I would say that ADD made my time in the Navy more difficult, however, as stated above, I served honorably.

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Yes you can join the NAVY.

I am a US NAVY HOSPITAL CORPSMAN.

DIAGNOSED WITH ADD WHEN I WAS 6YRS OLD.

NOW SERVING AS PART OF THE NAVY'S HOSPITAL CORPS.

Please e-mail me if you need any advice on getting in

HN DANIELS STEPHEN UITED STATES NAVY HOSPITAL CORPSMAN

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I have had ADD my whole life (I'm 35 now) I spent six years in the navy from 1988 to 1994. I have had ADD my whole life but onlt within the last few years have I gone to get treatment for it. I don't recommend the military for anyone with these problems. The structure and organization turns a person into a machine, which the ADD brain is not wired for. (creatvity, free thinking etc) . do yourself a favor bro..choose a different path.. Best of Luck !!!!

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Yes, almost anyone can join. The question is how long will that path last. I've been in service for a year doing military intelligence which takes a lot of focus for someone like me with ADD. I wouldn't recommend it if the symptoms are so severe that medication is needed to function at all. I've gone through college and managed to get a degree so ADD is not the end of life. Just beware that it takes a lot of effort to get through and that more importantly, not to look at ADD as an impediment that can't be worked with and allow oneself to give up an endeavor before even trying. ADD is a challenge, not an excuse.

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my brother has it BAD and he's in the army. just don't tell them you have it and DON'T tell them about any medication you've ever taken for it or else you won't get into the army.

• Ok addition to the above answers - From an Air Force recruiter. If you are currently being treated by a Dr. for ADD/ADHD, then you will not be allowed to enlist. If you were finished with Dr. care at childhood (before 14) then you have a shot, but you will need to provide medical records. Are there people diagnosed with ADD/ADHD in the military, sure...is it easy for them, depends on many factors. But most of them either did not know they had it and were officially diagnosed after they enlisted, or lied about it just to enlist. That leads me to the main point...the above answer was a very poor one. If you have been DIAGNOSED (by a DOCTOR....(not your mother, or Aunt Mable etc)then you must disclose this information to your reruiter AND on your enlistment medical paperwork (DD form 2807-2, medical prescreen) or you could be charged with fraudulent enlistment, and discharged from the military. This would leave you with a permanent record, possible $10,000 fine/ 5 yrs. in jail. Additionally, be very concerned of a recruiter that tells you to keep quiet and not tell anyone about your medical history.

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I joined the Navy with real bad ADD and Depressive Disorder. I lasted about three weeks before I went completely insane from being totally unable to get ANYTHING right and was put in seperations and sent home.

First answer by Joshua Hall. Last edit by Clipphardt. Contributor trust: 72 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 184 [recommend question]