Accession standards for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a survival analysis of military recruits, 1995-2000

Mil Med. 2006 Feb;171(2):99-102. doi: 10.7205/milmed.171.2.99.

Abstract

A retrospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate the Department of Defense practice of allowing some individuals with a history of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to enter military service (waiving for ADHD). Enlisted recruits who entered active duty with a waiver for academic problems related to ADHD were compared with control subjects who did not reveal health problems before entry, in terms of retention, promotion, and mental health-related outcomes. A total of 539 recruits with a history of ADHD were retained at the same rate as 1,617 control subjects, with no differences in promotion rates, comorbid diagnoses, or mental health-related discharges. On the basis of these findings, the Department of Defense medical accession standards have been changed to allow applicants who reveal a history of ADHD but did not require medication to finish high school or to hold a job for at least 1 year the opportunity to enter active duty without going through the current waiver process.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Likelihood Functions
  • Linear Models
  • Male
  • Military Personnel / psychology*
  • Personnel Selection / standards*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • United States