Granting Waivers

Cadet 2018

Rangers Lead the Way
5-Year Member
Joined
Apr 19, 2011
Messages
22
Is there any part of the waiver process that depends on the competitiveness of a candidate as far as receiving a waiver? For example, if there is an outstanding candidate, does this give the person a better chance of receiving a waiver than a lesser candidate, or are the doctors blind to this in the exam?
 
If you are applying for SA it will be up to the SA to seek a waiver on your behalf if they seem you competitive . If ROTC, waiver is automatically applied for if you are awarded a scholarship. Makes no difference to the doctor or DODMERB what your stats are. Best of luck.:)

Sent using the Service Academy Forums® mobile app.
 
Is there any part of the waiver process that depends on the competitiveness of a candidate as far as receiving a waiver? For example, if there is an outstanding candidate, does this give the person a better chance of receiving a waiver than a lesser candidate, or are the doctors blind to this in the exam?

As sheriff3 said, the individual SAs decide whether or not to pursue a waiver. The strength of the candidate plays a small role in the process, but the real question resides with the actual DQ. This is also true for ROTC scholarship earners (I dislike using the word 'winner' as a great number of winners do not get a scholarship). There are some medical issues which will never be considered for a waiver and some that are waived with greater frequency.

Also, the importance of timing throughout an officers' career comes into play. Currently, some branches are in a draw-down state. This would mean fewer waivers requested. When there is a shortage of officers, there would be an increase in the number of waivers being pursued.

Since your tag says 2018 I am assuming you are not currently a candidate for an SA or for a ROTC scholarship yet, but you have a medical concern. I would encourage you to go through the process of applying and then see what DoDMERB says. Unless you have a unwaiverable condition, of course. If you are unable to be cleared medically and you still desire to serve, there are still other outlets available for you to pursue. Best wishes and give everything your maximum effort. :thumb:
 
+1 to everyone's post, especially the issue about timing. It is not personal, it is business. Think about waivers from a different approach.
1. It is not just your life that the condition may impact, but it is also everyone that you will serve with regarding every mission.
2. In the healthcare world it would be considered a pre-existing conditions. Once commissioned they are saying they will cover that condition for as long as you are in the military and maybe for life. If the condition can cause other issues later on, than it also may include disability too.

That is a lot to ask them to do when choosing between a candidate with no medical issues and one that needs a waiver.

Finally, before your freak and think a DQ is the end, waivers are given all the time. As others have said, just go through the process. If you know you will get DQ'd than get all of your medical paperwork in order so you will be able to move forward in the process as soon as it occurs.
 
This has been a topic of great concern to me as well as a c/o 2018 applicant. I felt very confident about my competitiveness as a candidate, but I was very alarmed when I found that a skin condition that I have was disqualifying. I have been living with mild eczema on my feet and hands for my entire life, and after research both on this forum and online and discovering the difficulty many have had getting a waiver for eczema has shaken my resolve somewhat. I am going to camp next week at USMA and am very excited, but yet I still have the doubt of being eventually deemed "unfit for military service" at the back of my mind.
 
BDHuff09,

First off I'll see you at West Point in a week! I have kind of been feeling the same way with the waiver process. I feel that I am an overall competitive candidate but to give everyone here an idea, I have had 3 reconstructive ACL surgeries in the past 4 years and a surgery to repair my broken left wrist in January of this year...obviously those are not very encouraging conditions. However, as everyone has read here, I am just going to apply and see what happens! Not going to let what I can't control stop me. Thanks for all the responses!
 
Dad .... Regarding: "If you are unable to be cleared medically and you still desire to serve, there are still other outlets available for you to pursue."


Could you comment specifically what other opportunities you are referring to?

Thanks
 
I'm constantly worried about DODMERB and medical DQ's.... Anyone else have this problem?

I have no known medical problems that would disqualify me. But still, I always worry that when I go to get checked for ROTC, the docs there will find something, anything wrong with me to disqualify me! So I'm constantly stressing about what might be wrong with me, trying to convince myself to give up my dream so I'm not heartbroken why I get DQed.

Sorry for the rant haha! Way do you guys suggest to deal with this anxiety about being medically cleared?
 
I'm constantly worried about DODMERB and medical DQ's.... Anyone else have this problem?

I have no known medical problems that would disqualify me. But still, I always worry that when I go to get checked for ROTC, the docs there will find something, anything wrong with me to disqualify me! So I'm constantly stressing about what might be wrong with me, trying to convince myself to give up my dream so I'm not heartbroken why I get DQed.

Sorry for the rant haha! Way do you guys suggest to deal with this anxiety about being medically cleared?

First, you're correct. All the DoDMERB folks are out to get you. And by that I mean YOU specifically. No one else. Just YOU! As far as dealing with the stress I recommend exercise, run, exercise, run, more exercise, and then stretching. :biggrin:
 
Dad .... Regarding: "If you are unable to be cleared medically and you still desire to serve, there are still other outlets available for you to pursue."


Could you comment specifically what other opportunities you are referring to?

Thanks

There are many government agencies which support the military. Your DS could get a degree in International Relations and secure a job with the State Department. The CIA is always looking for analysts. Homeland Security also provides opportunities to serve. The point is, there are many different departments and agencies who are looking for smart, patriotic, driven people. Just because someone may be medically disqualified from the military does not mean that they can't find something equally important to do for our country.

As your DS walks out this crazy roller coaster ride, he will be in contact with people who have transitioned out of the military into the private sector. Those people would be better equipped to discuss with him the many military related opportunities that your DS had not even considered.

That being said, don't give up hope until your DS has gone through the DoDMERB process. If I recall correctly, your DS MAY have a disqualifying condition. Hang in there. It is possible that if you document everything on the medical form, your DS MAY be qualified w/o a remedial. :thumb:
 
First, you're correct. All the DoDMERB folks are out to get you. And by that I mean YOU specifically. No one else. Just YOU! As far as dealing with the stress I recommend exercise, run, exercise, run, more exercise, and then stretching. :biggrin:

Thank God you used the sarcasm font. :yllol:
 
Conditions never waived.

There are some medical issues which will never be considered for a waiver and some that are waived with greater frequency.

I would encourage you to go through the process of applying and then see what DoDMERB says. Unless you have a unwaiverable condition, of course.


Is there a list of conditions never considered for a waiver?

My DD has a condition listed in the DQ document (history of spondylolysis - an old stress fracture from sports). I have searched the DoDMERB archives and several have inquired about this condition in the past, but no one followed up to say they received a waiver.
 



Is there a list of conditions never considered for a waiver?

My DD has a condition listed in the DQ document (history of spondylolysis - an old stress fracture from sports). I have searched the DoDMERB archives and several have inquired about this condition in the past, but no one followed up to say they received a waiver.

This is a website with conditions generally not considered for a waiver, hopefully this helps.

http://www.navycs.com/blogs/2008/08/13/medical-not-waiverable
 
Back
Top