Military waiver evaluations assess whether a person who would otherwise be disqualified from joining or continuing to serve in the military can receive a waiver to enlist or stay in service. A military psychological waiver (or military waiver for mental health) is commonly requested for mental health disqualifications when someone has had a psychological issue or received mental health treatment in the past. Sometimes, as part of the waiver process, you may be asked to get an outside psychological evaluation, and that is where we can help. The military is fair but strict, and psychological testing can provide an objective, scientifically-backed picture of how you are doing.
The following provides a detailed breakdown of military waiver evaluations, but please feel free to contact us or schedule a consultation about your specific situation.
Military Waiver Evaluations Overview
A military waiver for mental health is the most common type. It is requested when a person has a mental health condition that may disqualify them from service under normal circumstances.
Common Disqualifying Mental Health Conditions or Situations
- A history of mental health medication
- A current diagnosis of ADHD
- A reported history of depression or anxiety
- Prior statements of self-harm
- Prior psychologically-based difficulty in training
- A history of mental health treatment
Military Psychological Waiver Process:
If a psychological examination is requested as part of the military psychological waiver process, here is the general process we follow:
- Documentation Submission: You send us any documentation you have about why you were initially refused enlistment.
- Mental Health Examination: We will meet with you to evaluate the condition, assess its severity, and determine whether it might interfere with your duties.
- Risk Assessment: The condition is evaluated in the context of military life. For example, can you handle the physical demands, long hours, and stressful service situations, often in remote places?
- Psychological Testing: A core part of our military waiver evaluations is an empirical test that provides objective evidence of your performance. The prior two steps involve some subjective decisions, so the testing is done to bring empirical objectivity.
- Letter: If we feel you qualify, we write a letter based on whether the condition continues to exist, how manageable it is, whether it can be controlled (e.g., with medication), and if it poses a risk to your or anyone’s safety.
It is important to note that we cannot write a letter unless we are confident you are fit for clearance. Also, we have no control over the ultimate decision. We have found that they are comprehensive but fair.
External Steps in the Process:
Our role is only one part of the military waiver for mental health process. Here is the rest:
- Identification of Disqualification:
- During enlistment, recruiters identify any disqualifications (mental health, medical, moral, or administrative) that might prevent you from serving. Please note that you are much better off fully disclosing any mental health difficulties since the process often uncovers things anyway, and being forthcoming is much better than being found to be untrustworthy.
- Military Waiver for Mental Health Request Submission:
- The recruiter gathers all necessary documentation, including our evaluation, other medical records, and the results of your initial interview. Sometimes, they submit the request to the appropriate office, and sometimes, they tell you to gather additional information before they do so (in which case you can skip to step #4).
- Evaluation by Authorities:
- Relevant authorities review the request, which could include medical professionals for medical waivers or legal boards for moral ones.
- Additional Tests or Interviews:
- In some cases, before or after the military waiver for mental health is officially submitted, you may be asked to undergo additional medical examinations or participate in interviews to provide further context or clarification. For mental health, they may tell you to get an independent psychological evaluation, which we can provide.
- Approval or Denial:
- Once the evaluation is complete, the waiver is either granted or denied. If denied, you are disqualified from service unless you can appeal the decision or resolve the disqualifying issue. This is another place where our services can be helpful.
Factors That Influence Military Waiver Approval:
Severity of the Condition: The armed forces assess how the disqualifying issue impacts the applicant’s ability to perform their duties.
- Needs: A military waiver for mental health is sometimes more likely to be granted during times of increased demand for personnel or when the individual has specialized needed skills.
- Time Since the Condition: For a military psychological waiver, the time since the symptoms occurred and whether you have demonstrated consistent rehabilitation are considered.
- Applicant’s Overall Qualifications: Applicants with strong qualifications in other areas (e.g., high ASVAB scores, physical fitness, work in a specific field) may have a better chance of obtaining a military psychological waiver.
Military Psychological Waiver Possible Outcomes:
- Approved: You can proceed with enlistment or service. You may need to meet additional conditions, such as periodic evaluations.
- Denied: If denied, you cannot join or continue serving. However, you may appeal or reapply if you can resolve the disqualifying issue. Sometimes, they designate a specific time after which you can reapply if symptoms or challenges have not recurred, and again, this is where we can help.
- Conditional: You may receive a military psychological waiver with specific conditions, such as being limited to certain roles or requiring ongoing monitoring.
Military Waiver for Mental Health Conditions
A military psychological waiver is a specific type of medical waiver that addresses mental health conditions that would normally disqualify you from enlisting or continuing to serve. A military waiver for mental health is often necessary when an applicant has a history of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, or other behavioral health disorders.
Conditions That May Require a Military Waiver for Mental Health:
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Issue: A military waiver for ADHD may be needed if there is a question of whether you require medication or have had symptoms that interfere with functioning, especially if the condition persists into adulthood. We can do an ADHD assessment to determine the severity of any current symptoms.
- Depression:
- Issue: A history of major depressive disorder, especially if treated with medication, particularly if you had recurrent or severe episodes within a specific timeframe (often five years) may require a military mental health waiver. Again, we can use standardized psychological testing for depression to determine the severity of any current symptoms or specifically whether a military waiver for antidepressants is needed.
- Anxiety Disorders:
- Issue: Conditions like generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, or social anxiety disorder may disqualify you, especially if you’ve been on medication or received therapy within a recent period. We also provide anxiety testing for the current severity and nature of symptoms.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):
- Issue: PTSD is particularly sensitive within military settings, given the high-stress nature of service. A military waiver for mental health is required for individuals with a history of PTSD, even if they no longer show symptoms. We can provide information about whether the symptoms persist through trauma testing.
- Bipolar Disorder:
- Issue: Bipolar disorder, which involves episodes of mania and depression, typically results in automatic disqualification. However, some waivers may be considered on a case-by-case basis. This difficulty is best assessed by an ongoing therapist rather than through psychological testing.
- Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders:
- Issue: Given their severity and potential impact on functioning, these disorders generally result in disqualification without a military waiver for mental health. We do not do these evaluations.
- Suicidal Ideation or Attempts:
- Issue: Any history of suicidal thoughts, ideation, or attempts usually necessitates a military psychological waiver, particularly if the event occurred within a specified timeframe, often the past five to seven years. Our mental health testing covers this area.
Military Psychological Waiver Evaluation Process Tips
- Documentation Submission:
- Medical Records: Provide us with comprehensive mental health records, including psychiatric evaluations, therapy notes, medication history, and hospital records (if applicable). The more we know, the better we can tailor your battery of fitness-for-duty psychological tests.
- Letters from Providers: Often, you’ll need a letter from your mental health provider (psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, or therapist) attesting to your current mental health status, treatment history, and stability. These letters are helpful for us to see as well.
- Time Since Last Episode:
- Many psychological conditions are evaluated based on how long it has been since you last experienced symptoms or required treatment. For example, for a military waiver for antidepressants, you might need to be symptom-free and off medication for a set period before being considered for a waiver. Keep close track of these timelines, as they can be quite helpful as we design your battery of tests and interviews.
- Risk and Functional Assessment:
- Impact on Duties: The military carefully considers whether the condition will affect your ability to handle stress, deploy, and perform duties in potentially high-stakes situations. Consider this when deciding which branch of the military you want to join and what role(s) you are interested in.
- Stability: Assessing your stability is important—whether you manage your mental health successfully without medication or therapy that might not be available during deployment to remote places.
- Supporting Documentation:
- References: Letters of reference from employers, school counselors, or community leaders may help demonstrate your current emotional and psychological fitness.
- Symptom History: You must provide detailed information about your condition’s onset, severity, and treatment. If symptoms have been resolved, we can confirm this in writing.
Conditions Less Likely to Receive a Military Waiver for Mental Health:
- Recent Mental Health Episodes: Applicants for a military waiver for mental health who have experienced a recent crisis, such as hospitalization, suicide attempts, or severe depressive episodes, are less likely to receive a military psychological waiver.
- Severe Psychiatric Disorders: Conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or a history of psychosis are typically automatic disqualifiers with limited chances for military psychological waiver approval.
- Dependency on Medication: Applicants who rely on psychiatric medications that might not be accessible in a combat or deployment environment (e.g., a military waiver for antidepressants) may have a more challenging time obtaining a military mental health waiver. However, you mustn’t discontinue your medication without the clear advice of your prescriber.
Conclusion and Our Work 
A military psychological waiver is evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and they consider your history and current mental health status. Stability and recovery play a crucial role in whether a waiver is granted, and conditions considered too risky may lead to denial. However, with proper documentation and a history of stability, we have seen many individuals with past mental health issues receive waivers and serve successfully after our evaluation.
Case Example: Military Waiver for ADHD
John, a 19-year-old high school graduate, wanted to enlist in the U.S. Army. However, he had a history of ADHD and was prescribed medication until he was 16. He had been off medication for three years with no academic or behavioral issues. His recruiter informed him that the diagnosis could be disqualifying, but he might be eligible for a military waiver for ADHD.
Military Waiver for ADHD Process
Medical Documentation
- John gathered medical records from his pediatrician and psychiatrist, showing that he had been stable without medication.
- His high school transcripts and teacher letters confirmed no academic struggles post-medication.
Military Waiver for ADHD Testing
- PAI: The PAI is a self-report questionnaire used to evaluate a person’s psychological functioning, personality traits, and potential psychopathology.
- Relevance to a Military Waiver for ADHD:
- Helps determine if the candidate has any lingering emotional or behavioral problems.
- Assesses factors such as stress tolerance, impulse control, and aggression—important traits for military service.
- Can detect exaggeration or malingering (faking good or bad symptoms).
- Testing Process:
- John answered 344 multiple-choice items related to different psychological traits.
- The results were analyzed and determined that he had a low likelihood of having the diagnosis of ADHD or any other psychological issue such as anxiety or depression.
- Relevance to a Military Waiver for ADHD:
- Barkley Adult ADHD Rating Scale (BAARS-IV): The BAARS-IV (Barkley Adult ADHD Rating Scale, 4th Edition) is designed to assess ADHD symptoms in adults.
- Relevance to a Military Waiver for ADHD:
- Determines if ADHD symptoms persist into adulthood.
- Assesses executive functioning skills such as attention, working memory, and impulsivity.
- Helps evaluators decide if the applicant’s ADHD is mild, moderate, or severe.
- Testing Process:
- John completed a questionnaire evaluating ADHD symptoms from childhood to adulthood.
- His scores indicated that his symptoms did not meet the clinical threshold for ADHD.
- His results also showed that while he may have had symptoms in childhood, there has been a significant decline over time.
- Relevance to a Military Waiver for ADHD:
Military Waiver for ADHD Approval
- Based on an interview with John, all of his history and their review, and our letter regarding ADHD, his request for a military psychological waiver for ADHD was approved.
- He was cleared to enlist with no restrictions.
Outcome
John completed basic training and served in a combat support role. His waiver process demonstrated that he could meet standards despite his medical history.
Case Example: Military Waiver for Antidepressants
Sarah, a 22-year-old woman, aspired to join the U.S. Air Force as an intelligence analyst. However, she had taken antidepressants for mild depression during her senior year of high school and her first year of college. She discontinued the medication two years before her enlistment attempt and had no recurring symptoms.
Her recruiter informed her that a history of antidepressant use within the last 36 months could be disqualifying but encouraged her to apply for a military waiver for antidepressants.
Military Waiver for Antidepressants Process
Medical Documentation
- Sarah provided complete medical records from her primary care physician and therapist.
- The records showed:
- She was prescribed an SSRI (e.g., sertraline) for mild situational depression related to academic stress.
- The medication was discontinued under medical supervision two years ago.e
- She had no hospitalizations, suicidal thoughts, or major functional impairments.
- Her therapist noted she had developed strong coping mechanisms and was functioning well without medication.
Military Waiver for Antidepressants Testing
We gave Sarah a psychological evaluation to assess her mental stability and fitness for service. The tests included:
- Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI)
- Assessed her stress tolerance, emotional resilience, and ability to function under pressure.
- Results indicated no active depressive symptoms and a stable personality profile.
- Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II)
- A screening tool for current depressive symptoms.
- Sarah scored within the normal range, reinforcing that her past depression was resolved.
- Clinical Interview
- We discussed her history, coping strategies, and reason for discontinuing medication.
- We determined she had a low risk of mental health relapse under military stress.
Military Waiver for Antidepressants Approval
The waiver authority approved her request after reviewing the medical records, test results, and clinical interview. The key factors that led to the approval of her military waiver for antidepressants were:
- She had been off medication for two years without recurrence.
- Psychological tests showed no signs of active depression or emotional instability.
- Her therapist provided strong endorsement of her mental resilience.
Outcome
Sarah successfully enlisted in the Air Force and completed basic training without any mental health issues. She later excelled in her intelligence role, demonstrating strong analytical skills and resilience under pressure.
The military is fair yet thorough and strict in their assessments. They often appreciate the unbiased and empirical information we can provide. For this reason, we cannot guarantee the result of your military waiver for mental health, and we sometimes decline military psych evaluations if we do not feel it will help.
Please feel free to contact us or schedule a consultation about your situation. We always provide a free screening to determine if an assessment may be helpful in the military waiver process.
