Do you need a DODMERB medical before being reviewed by the AROTC scholarship board?

Hi I have just completed my army rotc scholarship application and I notice on the Rotc Scholarship Status system is states that you need a dodmerb medical as one of the requirements. I was wondering if this medical needs to be taken before submitting the application or if you will take it after receiving the scholarship or entering the ROTC program. Please let me know ASAP as I am very concerned and pressed for time.

ryrymogel said:

Hi I have just completed my army rotc scholarship application and I notice on the Rotc Scholarship Status system is states that you need a dodmerb medical as one of the requirements. I was wondering if this medical needs to be taken before submitting the application or if you will take it after receiving the scholarship or entering the ROTC program. Please let me know ASAP as I am very concerned and pressed for time.

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For NROTC you don't take the Dodmerb until after you've been selected for a scholarship. The scholarship is conditional on passing the physical. I'm confident AROTC is the same. It certainly wouldn't make sense to have everyone who applies go for the physical. Besides, they'll put you in touch with a Dodmerb doctor in your area (most likely) who will perform the physical (as I understand it). They can't do that until you've submitted the application because otherwise they don't know who YOU are.

Unless it's changed, Kinnem hit the nail on the head. It's now just time to sit back and wait, and wait, and wait for the scholarship boards to meet and then send out notices. Good luck!!

The system changed a few yrs ago basically for cost cutting reasons...to send every applicant to get a physical is a lot of money on their dime, hence they now they only send when they decide. Some will go earlier since they are also applying for an SA, and the physical unlike the PFA are identical for both sources.

One thing I would suggest is that you get all of your medical records together now if you ever had an issue, that includes allergies.

The reason why is since they have delayed these physicals that can place your back against the wall if you get the scholarship, but need a waiver or a remedial.

You can also contact your family doc to see if they are a DoDMERB physician, if they are than I would sit back and wait because they will already know if there is a waiver issue. Don't go off and start calling every doc in the phone book to find DoDMERB docs...they are contracted by DoDMERB and can be up to 45 minutes away. It isn't worth the time or effort.

I am just saying if your doc is, than you can request that they do it instead of one they have selected. For example, even though our DS was AD Dependent and seen at the base hospital, DoDMERB requested he go to the ones on their list. We called and they changed it over the phone to the base doc. This also helps because you may right down on the questionnaire that you we diagnosed with Asthma when you were 4, because you were, when in reality your Doc knows that for a few months they thought IT MIGHT BE, and was watching you for it via your records, but never were diagnosed as asthmatic.

Sometimes wording can trigger a remedial.

That is why it is best to get your medical records in order. When it comes to DoDMERB and the physical, my belief is that you cover your 6. Bring all of your records with you to the doc appointment, because if you don't they will be forced to check the box since you acknowledged it. They too are covering their 6.

Good luck

Thank you so much guys! I figured that it would only make sense to give the dodmerb after turning in the app or receiving the scholarship but I wanted to clarify. Now I just got to hope I get my ways with the first boards and receive one of these waivers. And thank you Pima I will make sure Im prepared to.

ryrymogel said:

Thank you so much guys! I figured that it would only make sense to give the dodmerb after turning in the app or receiving the scholarship but I wanted to clarify. Now I just got to hope I get my ways with the first boards and receive one of these waivers. And thank you Pima I will make sure Im prepared to.

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I just wanted to clarify a couple things, I'll keep it simple.

Your application is submitted, if complete before the first board deadline, you will be seen by that board.

If you are not selected by the first board you will be rolled over to the next board until all 3 boards have met.

Traditionally you would receive a Dodmerb packet after you were selected for a scholarship, although last year some applicants received the Dodmerb packet before a scholarship was offered. If you receive a Dodmerb packet directing you to get your physicals, do it. Follow all the steps and get the physical even though you have yet to be offered a scholarship.

You mentioned that you hope to get one of those waivers, waivers are only required if they find something during your physical that would require one. It is a good idea to get in front of any medical issue you think might be a problem.

Right now you are good to go, just sit back and wait, it's tough but everyone's doing it right along with you.

Good Luck.

One thing that I found to be helpful was to get the medical history form (DD Form 2492) and go through all of the questions. In DS's case he had a couple of minor surgeries when he was young, and so we requested information from his doctors for both so that we would be able to supply any requested information. Turned out to make things less stressful when he got the packet to schedule his appointments and only took about 10 minutes to fill out the form online.

ryrymogel said:

Now I just got to hope I get my ways with the first boards and receive one of these waivers.

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Time out

Are you stating that you had a DoDMERB with an SA, and now wondering if ROTC will request a new DoDMERB physical?

Are you saying that you have not had a physical, but believe you have an issue that would require a waiver?

I bolded that part of your statement because a healthy person would not say "receive one of these waivers", a person with an issue would.

If you believe you MAY need a waiver, get your paperwork in order.

DQ's are not common, if you look at it from a statistical perspective. There are many, many. many AD members with allergies, eyesight issues, etc. I don't want you freaking out that because you are allergic to golden rod it will initiate a DQ. As I stated earlier, what your hometown Doc thinks is A OK to play LAX, may not be A OK for the military.

Seriously, what is the most common DQ for candidates who are cleared to play sports; had no medical issues, but got nailed for vision or drugs like accutane.

Pima said:

DQ's are not common, if you look at it from a statistical perspective. There are many, many. many AD members with allergies, eyesight issues, etc.

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Pima,

Are you saying that DQ's are not common, or that they are frequently waivered?

It appears from the activity surrounding DODMERB on this forum that DQs are very common, but waivers are too!

Interested in your thoughts,

Deborah
(mom of currently DQ'd candidate, hoping for a waiver!)

DEBCST,

Time out.

JMPO, DQ's are statistically not common if you look at the entire pool.

YET, there are waivers that are granted frequently, i.e. certain allergies.

Please do not combine them.

Yes, you see a lot of DoDMERB questions regarding waivers on this site, but understand this is a small pool. People on this site have a personal agenda; be it guidance, chancing or camaraderie.

You have come to investigate the chance of a DoDMERB waiver or the process, but you have come for a resource. That is why I say the pool is not what would be the traditional sample. Look at old threads for the SA acceptances, it doesn't pass 10% if an incoming class. It is not a true pool statistically.

The only way anyone can help you is if you enlighten us with the pertinent facts.

What is the reason for DQ?
What branch? That matters a lot!
Are they on prescribed meds?
How long? Must they take it daily forever?
Did he state a medical history issue that he is no longer being treated for?

Get where I am going? We can only assist with the info that you release. We can be totally off the mark. If you came to me and said my child had scoliosis surgery at 13, my answer would be different than if you said my child was diagnosed at 6 for ADD/HD, but since he was 9 he has not taken Ritalin.

Thanks for your response.

Actually I just wanted to get clearer on what you were stating.

Not doing the "chance me" thing, or posting medical info on a public forum. We have done everything within our power, believe waiver will be granted, but are in the waiting period.

I have wondered about the number of DQs and waivers- I don't believe this info is publicly available- so just an idle, theoretical wonder on my part!

Back to the wait...

One thing to comprehend is that the military budget via the DOD is on the chopping block to reduce costs. Every ROTC program is feeling the pinch. Scholarships included. Ask Marist, his AROTC incoming freshman on scholarship has reduced by @75% over the last 3 yrs. Will not quote him, but I believe he went from 20 to 6.

Waivers that were once handed out like candy on Halloween are no longer occurring,

I respect your decision to not discuss the waiver issue in a public forum.

I am just saying frankly, that on a whole in this new military and this economy the supply is larger than the demand when it comes to scholarships. If it is not an issue that is common, as in correctable vision, the branch may say we are not granting waivers.

I have said this before, will say it again, the military is not very different than the corporate world. They have a specific budget, a specific long term mission. If supply is abundant they can be picky.

Sorry, that's the reality. Remember their perspective is that once commissioned any medical issue is their burden. Granting any waiver comes with them paying for ALL of their medical needs. If they retire after 20 yrs they pay disability, hence they don't want to muddy the waters if at all possible. That means shying away from waivers.

Some Light Reading -Army Fitness Standards

Attached is a link to Army Regulation 40-501 - Standards of Medical Fitness, which is exactly what it says. I believe it is current but can't guarantee it. It's a while since I studied it but note that some standards apply to enlisted men and others to Army ROTC.

http://www.apd.army.mil/pdffiles/r40_501.pdf

As Pima said, everyone has a story, and anecdotes are not statistically valid. However, based on Dim Son's experience, some lessons are available.

He had as I recall 3 or 4 separate DQ's, which were all eventually waived, though there was no certainty this would be the case. The ROTC being his idea, he managed or mismanaged the process himself, up to the point when he was offered a scholarship at a school to which he hadnt applied (a hazard of Early Decision - another story). Among other things he arranged for eye surgery at an inopportune time, which triggered one of the DQs. (That was about the time I became acquainted with 40-501). Because he applied in time only for the last board, which was a late one that year, the necessary waivers were not obtained until he was already at school.

So:

1) Get your application in early
2) Organize your medical records, especially if there have been issues.
3) If after the physical exams (which are done at the DoD's expense) you get a letter indicating a medical DQ, don't be discouraged since many DQs are waiverable.
4) I found the DODMERB staff helpful in explaining the process, though if your offspring is over 18, they will have to give authorization in writing for your involvement.
5) If you mail any records, keep a copy. (these days stuff gets scanned and emailed).

debcst said:

Thanks for your response.

Actually I just wanted to get clearer on what you were stating.

Not doing the "chance me" thing, or posting medical info on a public forum. We have done everything within our power, believe waiver will be granted, but are in the waiting period.

I have wondered about the number of DQs and waivers- I don't believe this info is publicly available- so just an idle, theoretical wonder on my part!

Back to the wait...

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If you haven't already you might want to take a look at the Dodmerb Page on this Forum. At the top of the page there is a thread called "Waiver Timeframe", a couple posts down on that page is a post by MullenLA. This posts touches on all the points of the Waiver system. There is a paragraph that talks about how the granting of waivers can depend on many factors including recruiting levels.

It is a good overview of the system.

Good luck

EDelahanty said:

http://www.apd.army.mil/pdffiles/r40_501.pdf


He had as I recall 3 or 4 separate DQ's, which were all eventually waived, though there was no certainty this would be the case.

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Wow! That is a lot of helpful, detailed info- thanks for sharing the link.

Awesome that your son was able to get waivers for so many DQs.

It still does seem to me that it is very common for candidates to be DQ'd and then to receive waivers- I know, I know, no guarantees, make a plan B, get everything in early, etc. etc.

Jcleppe said:

If you haven't already you might want to take a look at the Dodmerb Page on this Forum. At the top of the page there is a thread called "Waiver Timeframe", a couple posts down on that page is a post by MullenLA. This posts touches on all the points of the Waiver system. There is a paragraph that talks about how the granting of waivers can depend on many factors including recruiting levels.

It is a good overview of the system.

Good luck

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Thank you!

debcst said:

It still does seem to me that it is very common for candidates to be DQ'd and then to receive waivers- I know, I know, no guarantees, make a plan B, get everything in early, etc. etc.

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LOL! You are now officially fully trained!

Dear ryrymogel, I hope the ROTC website is better than last year, it didn’t update for weeks on end, also start growing your nails because come April your be down to your knuckles with the waiting. My son’s page didn’t update until after the March 2010 board to invite him for a medical, we booked an eye test and medical for the same day, eyes first. Do not worry both test are straight forward, medical being the longer one at 60mins. Then you have the long wait to see if you have been granted a scholarship, good luck.

VB DAD said:

Dear ryrymogel, I hope the ROTC website is better than last year, it didn’t update for weeks on end, also start growing your nails because come April your be down to your knuckles with the waiting. My son’s page didn’t update until after the March 2010 board to invite him for a medical, we booked an eye test and medical for the same day, eyes first. Do not worry both test are straight forward, medical being the longer one at 60mins. Then you have the long wait to see if you have been granted a scholarship, good luck.

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Where are these Physicals and eye exams done? We are in Missouri and wonder if there are several locations to choose from.

Bop28 said:

Where are these Physicals and eye exams done? We are in Missouri and wonder if there are several locations to choose from.

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DODMERB contracts and I guess certifies physicians throughout the country. Your own doctor might even be one of them. In any case they'll assign one in your area... which is not to say you won't have to drive some distance depending on where you live.