Question about Med Exams yesterday

KELLYS3ANGELS

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Ok, so DS's eye exam went great no problems at all. But the medical was different. He was informed that he has a possible hernia (that we knew nothing about) and they said they would send the papers to get a second opinion on it. Dr. said if he needed surgery this could possibly be a disqualification. I realized each case is different, but from what I am seeing on here most of the people with hernias, just had the surgery with a 6 week time frame to be released for qualification...not a complete DQ. It is giving him no problems whatsoever thankfully, but now we are anxiously waiting to see what we find out.

He rec'd a 3 yr AROTC scholarship, so I am hopeful that the fact that it doesn't pick up until next year could be in our favor?

Anyone care to shed some light on it, give me some encouragement, anything??
 
Morning. I can't shed much light, but I certainly understand the anxiety about not knowing what to do next.
My DS has a 4-year T7 AFROTC that he's converting to a 3-year T2 b/c of the financial aid restrictions. We were told that with a 3-yr ROTC scholarship, DS must participate in the program with his chosen detachment the first year in order to remain eligible for the scholarship and that he must remain at that school with that detachment.
I would call the detachment where he plans to use the ROTC scholarship and speak with them about his specific situation. You can also speak to someone at ROTC HQ.
To which class is your DS applying, 2018 or 2019?

Adding: We've dealt with Navy and Air Force academies and ROTCs; I've found that each branch of the military has their own way of doing things. What applies to AF for us may be a non-issue for you with Army.
 
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Ok, so DS's eye exam went great no problems at all. But the medical was different. He was informed that he has a possible hernia (that we knew nothing about) and they said they would send the papers to get a second opinion on it. Dr. said if he needed surgery this could possibly be a disqualification. I realized each case is different, but from what I am seeing on here most of the people with hernias, just had the surgery with a 6 week time frame to be released for qualification...not a complete DQ. It is giving him no problems whatsoever thankfully, but now we are anxiously waiting to see what we find out.

He rec'd a 3 yr AROTC scholarship, so I am hopeful that the fact that it doesn't pick up until next year could be in our favor?

Anyone care to shed some light on it, give me some encouragement, anything??


I believe this is the relevant section of the Standards of Medical Fitness, Army Req. 40-501:

AR 40–501 • 14 December 2007/RAR 23 August 2010

h. Abdominal wall.
(1) Current hernia, including, but not limited to uncorrected inguinal (550) and other abdominal wall hernias (553),
do not meet the standard.
(2) History of open or laparoscopic abdominal surgery during the preceding 6 months (P54) does not meet the
standard.


As you said, the doctor acknowledged he may have a hernia. A second opinion would be helpful in either case. If he needs the surgery, then it's a good thing the condition was diagnosed now.

Assuming he needs the surgery and everything goes well, then the disqualifying condition should be eliminated by the mere passage of time. This happened in my son's case (for a different minor procedure). He had just arrived on campus when the six month DQ trigger elapsed. Just in time for him to fail his first APFT.

I don't know whether the removal of a DQ such as this is automatic (assuming again the clean bill of health) or must be requested by an appropriate party such as Cadet Command or the battalion. The DODMERB help desk may be able to clarify this. B y the way, if your son is 18, he will need to contact DODMERB himself or send them a form permitting them to speak with you.
 
Thank you EDelahanty for your information! Can you share the link where that comes from? I am just praying that either they don't find anything with a second opinion or it is taken care of with surgery and a clearance. Praying, praying, praying!!
 
Thank you EDelahanty for your information! Can you share the link where that comes from? I am just praying that either they don't find anything with a second opinion or it is taken care of with surgery and a clearance. Praying, praying, praying!!

Here's a link to Army Regulation 40-501, Standards of Medical Fitness. Chapter 2 deal with standards for ROTC, USMA, etc. I can't guarantee that this has not been updated or revised. Congratulations to your son on the scholarship offer and best wishes that he'll get past this DODMERB stuff.

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