ACL Repair and Waivers

I have a junior who has been focused on the Service Academies for some time. Visits, prep work, etc. Great student and good athlete and leader. But ... he just found out he has torn his ACL and will require surgery.

I know this is an automatic DQ. My question is what is the general approach if he pursues a waiver? Is it an automatic no or do they simply look at whether he has been fully rehabbed? My understanding is that ACL repairs typically involve screws or staples and I don't know how admissions views those types of knee surgeries in candidates.

Knowing that every circumstance and every candidate is unique, any guidance?

Thanks.

I do not have any expertise regarding ACL's and DQs but I just watched our starting right guard (jr.) blow out his ACL last Friday in the football game and I just wanted to say I'm so sorry that happened to your son. As the Mom of the left guard (sr) and academy hopeful, it was awful to watch.

I hope your son recovers beautifully and that there is hope for him continuing on this path. All the best.

fletcho2 said:

I have a junior who has been focused on the Service Academies for some time. Visits, prep work, etc. Great student and good athlete and leader. But ... he just found out he has torn his ACL and will require surgery.

I know this is an automatic DQ. My question is what is the general approach if he pursues a waiver? Is it an automatic no or do they simply look at whether he has been fully rehabbed? My understanding is that ACL repairs typically involve screws or staples and I don't know how admissions views those types of knee surgeries in candidates.

Knowing that every circumstance and every candidate is unique, any guidance?

Thanks.

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Fletcho2,

DQ's are given by DODMERB, waivers are requested by admissions and can take a couple of different paths. You don't request them - the Admissions staff does. My (limited) understanding from these forums is the biggest factor taken into account is the effect of an injury on future service to the Army.

You can hope that before DODMERB disqualifies him that they request additional information from his physician or additional evaluation. Even then, there are examples on this forum where an initial waiver was denied but a subsequent waiver request was approved for an otherwise strong candidate. I think that the Army's medical staff are the ones who ultimately grant them. Since your son is a Junior, he has adequate time to heal and rehab and healing of an injury is a significant factor in having a waiver granted. You should check or post on the DOBMERB Forum if you haven't already done so.

My advice is if he was planning to apply to SLE he still do so. I do not remember my DS needing any special medical approval except from his doctor. Just be mentally prepared that if he still isn't be healed by that time, he may not be able to attend or an offer to attend may be rescinded.

The waiver process comes through the admissions process, so remember your DS can't pursue this dream if he doesn't apply ...

I wish you success in his journey ...

I tore my acl junior year, had surgery and got an auto dq. I am hoping for a waiver now, but I just got cleared to run and I still have to do my cfa. I don't think they will consider a waiver until my file is complete.