USN Naval Aviation with Hx of Depression?

[Husky11]

Hi-
I am wondering if anybody on this forum has experience with naval aviation medical exams and a medical history of depression. I want to apply to be a naval aviator, but I have a depressive diagnosis on my medical record from late high school/early college and have not been able to find out how difficult the diagnosis will make getting into the program. The condition was not extremely severe (never hospitalized or anything as serious as that) but I was on meds for ~15 months and have been off for ~16 with no issues. I have read through the waiver guides and know what documentation would be required, but I am curious if anybody has personal experience with this, or stories of family/friends that have become naval aviators with a medical history of depression. Any sort of guidance on this matter would be very much appreciated

 

[CommodoreMid]

Similar experience from high school. Recommend you get it documented from a psychiatrist how long you’ve been off meds, prognosis, etc.

 

[Griz882]

Similar experience from high school. Recommend you get it documented from a psychiatrist how long you’ve been off meds, prognosis, etc.

I’m glad you beat the “use the search function” scolds.

 

[Husky11]

I’m glad you beat the “use the search function” scolds.

Similar experience from high school. Recommend you get it documented from a psychiatrist how long you’ve been off meds, prognosis, etc.

Thanks for the response. I'm new to forums like this, so I apologize if I'm doing things incorrectly. Been talking to my recruiter about the basic navy medical and was told I need a psychiatrist's note clearing me for military service, when you recommend it get documented by a psychiatrist how in-depth do you mean? I know the FAA requires an extremely extensive psychological evaluation (and it costs ~$3000), and I was wondering if I should do that or try to get something more basic.

 

[CommodoreMid]

Mine was pretty basic, but this was also 20 years ago so hard to say now.

And holy fuck 20 years ago, damn I’m getting old.

 

[FormerRecruitingGuru]

Thanks for the response. I'm new to forums like this, so I apologize if I'm doing things incorrectly. Been talking to my recruiter about the basic navy medical and was told I need a psychiatrist's note clearing me for military service, when you recommend it get documented by a psychiatrist how in-depth do you mean? I know the FAA requires an extremely extensive psychological evaluation (and it costs ~$3000), and I was wondering if I should do that or try to get something more basic.

Don’t fork money unless you are told to by your recruiter.

Welcome to the forums but as hinted, definitely take the time to search around. Odds are there’s information and/or your question has been asked and answered before.

I also suggest the same advice to do the homework for any follow on or other recruiting or naval aviation questions you may have.

Assuming you’re within 2 ish years from graduating college, suggest you speak to a local recruiter asap.

 

[number9]

If you search the r/navy and r/newtothenavy subreddits for "depression" you'll get dozens (hundreds?) of threads. Worth looking over there too.

 

[WookieMonster]

I can only speak to my experience of the selection/pre-ocs process. I was just selected in Nov for SNA and have a medical history of depression. I had a depression and GAD (anxiety disorder) diagnosis on my record from when I was about 13 and was on different types of SSRIs until last year. I got my doctor to agree that I was good to go off meds. So I did a period of going off meds for about 6 months observed by a doc, and then got through MEPS with no problems. They seemed to be way more concerned about my rugby concussion than any mental health history, likely because I was never hospitalized and never did anything harmful to myself or others. I doubt you'll have any trouble getting through the MEPS/selection process, but be prepared to provide tons of paperwork.

Hi-
I am wondering if anybody on this forum has experience with naval aviation medical exams and a medical history of depression. I want to apply to be a naval aviator, but I have a depressive diagnosis on my medical record from late high school/early college and have not been able to find out how difficult the diagnosis will make getting into the program. The condition was not extremely severe (never hospitalized or anything as serious as that) but I was on meds for ~15 months and have been off for ~16 with no issues. I have read through the waiver guides and know what documentation would be required, but I am curious if anybody has personal experience with this, or stories of family/friends that have become naval aviators with a medical history of depression. Any sort of guidance on this matter would be very much appreciated

 

[exNavyOffRec]

You will only know until you try, some with similar situation have been able to come in, some have not, some had short timelines others 2 years. It is what is in the notes that will tip the scales one way or another.

 

[Electros]

Hey, I got medically cleared at MEPS in OCT and then selected for a pilot spot through BDCP at the beginning of the month. I have a depression diagnosis from when I was 16, I was on antidepressants from Nov 2019 until the summer of 2021, and then again from Oct 2021- Mar 2022. I even disclosed Suicidal Ideations from when I was 14 since I wasn't sure how much of my medical records they could even see, but I got waivers without any kind of interview. Now, it's been a little bit longer since I was on them than you were, and I was under 18 for most of that time, but I just wanted you to know that you can get your waivers, especially if you'll be at/near 3 years with no medication by the time you commission. The navy doesn't care about this as much as they used to, as long as its not too severe.