First post, graduating college soon

[DukeDevil]

I'm currently a senior in college and I decided that I want to serve in the Navy after I graduate. The only problem is all the fine print and getting started. I want to fly more than anything but I know there are a lot of requirements and little details which can disqualify you. I have my private pilot's license and I'm a few hours away from being IFR certified. I've been doing a lot of research and I discovered small print which was vague about prescription drug policy. I hate to get personal but I am hesitant to ask a recruiter or someone in that position before I have all my facts straight. I am just looking for good advice and I would really appreciate the help. I have more than one question but first and foremost:

what is the policy if I was prescribed medicine for ADD but was never "addicted" like the requirements mention and I stopped taking it a month ago as my doctor and I agreed that now is the time to grow out of it since I am graduating soon and was never taking a large dose or on it for extremely long periods of time? My parents originally suggested it when I was a hyper little kid but from past experience with my doctor's guidance, I realize that I am not only old enough and don't need it at all, but I took a test that checks for signs of ADD with my doctor which I took years ago and I past with flying colors now since I've been off it. I think OCS the requirements mention something along the lines of not being eligible unless one has stopped taking such a prescription (adderal/amphetamines) for one year from the date of application submission. Since I stopped taking it a month ago, my everyday activities, moods, behavior, and academic performance have been completely unaffected as I knew would be the case. Is this something that I could potentially get a drug waiver for if it is accompanied by a written statement by my doctor along with seeing that my current performance and qualifications in school and in general are pretty good? I consider myself to be very healthy & physically fit, i have a 3.65 gpa and past my physical, eye exam, and got a first class aviation medical certificate renewed when I got my pilot's license last summer.

Last question I promise...I was never NROTC because I didn't discover how badly I wanted this until it was too late. I can't find anywhere a real solid explanation, although it only seems logical, of whether one can enter OCS after graduating college as a non-NROTC and become a Naval Aviation Student, if deemed qualified, to train to be a pilot rather than an officer who doesn't fly. Can someone set me straight on this? Sorry to be so long, I guess I'll understand why if no one responds, haha. I would be forever grateful for any thoughts on these two matters.

 

[A.Kuettel]

I went through a very simliar situation so I will try to tell you as much as I know. I quit taking medication about 5yrs ago when i decided I wanted to be a pilot, I did a couple pscyh evals through a couple of docs and an IQ test to get my 1st class medical. Although I don't think that is required for you to do to get a flight slot, It sure helped me because everytime my OSO or a doc asked me about it I had a 50 page report to show them that I officially no longer have ADD.
When I went to MEPS they automatically dq'd me from a flight slot because I had taken meds past 13yrs of age. However all of the MEPs docs pulled me into one of their offices and told me I had been denied, but that they were recommending me for a waiver. This is where all the documentation from my tests came in handy because it gave them a reason to base a waiver off of. Again I don't think the tests are required, but it helped me out alot. From what I understood the recommendation for the waiver is the catch, aslong as they recommend you, your chances are pretty good of getting it. In the end the actual waiver decision comes down to the docs whenever you do your flight physical. By the way this whole process took about 6 months to get cleared up so be prepared to wait and I would talk to an OSO as soon as possible.
PM me if you have anymore questions.

 

[BigIron]

Last question I promise...I was never NROTC because I didn't discover how badly I wanted this until it was too late. I can't find anywhere a real solid explanation, although it only seems logical, of whether one can enter OCS after graduating college as a non-NROTC and become a Naval Aviation Student, if deemed qualified, to train to be a pilot rather than an officer who doesn't fly. Can someone set me straight on this? Sorry to be so long, I guess I'll understand why if no one responds, haha. I would be forever grateful for any thoughts on these two matters.

I guess what you're asking here is if you can join the Navy as an officer without having attended NROTC. You can apply to OCS. You will have to take the Officer Aptitude Rating /Aviation Selection Test Battery (?) OAR/ASTB as part of your package. You, working with your OFFICER recruiter will submit this exam score as part of your package (security clearance questionnaire, PRT score, physical, job application, statements, letters, etc). You will have to put in for what you want in what order you want. There is a risk that you might apply for aviation and don't get it.

Which brings me to the often referred to situation here at AW. Yes, the one where most talk about being an officer first and aviator second. I suggest you read the boards, and not just the current threads. Look back at similar questions such as the one you posted. I think you'll find a lot of answers there.

Navy/USMC aviation is not just flying. There are potentially many duties/tours you will have where you might not fly....or just fly a desk.