Myopia- waiver chances?

USNA2020

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Apr 8, 2015
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I was just notified that I was DQ'd for myopia- nearsightedness greater than -8.00

My application for USNA is complete (BGO still has to submit interview write up), how likely is it that I may get a waiver? Is myopia waiverable for most people? My vision is correctable to 20/20, so if an academy does file for a waiver, how likely is it that myopia would be waived?
 
USNA may request a waiver based on whether they think you have a competitive package. If you are tracking your portal or DODMERB site, you'll probably see soon whether a waiver is requested. Just my best guess, but if you are correctable to 20/20, I think the excessive myopia is waiverable.
 
I do not know, I will have to ask the eye doctor. My last prescription was 7.00/6.50 so I hope it is not too far over 8.00 in both eyes.
 
How far beyond 8 are you?
kp2001 - My daughter has completed her medical exam and the only DQ are the eyes - in excess of -8.0 diopters. She's right there at the cutoff. In DoDMERB her status is that she's pending waiver review by both USNA and USMMA. She's being recruited to swim at USMMA and her grades and test scores are very high. I'm a BGO for USNA and she's definitely competitive there and I'm assuming USMMA as well based on my experience with USNA candidates. What's your take on waivers for -8.0 vision correctable to 20/20 in both eyes?
 
-8 is really severe. I thought the cut off was -6. Doesnt really make sense to have someone that is so blind without correction as a naval officer
 
-8 is really severe. I thought the cut off was -6. Doesnt really make sense to have someone that is so blind without correction as a naval officer
MMA19kid - Thanks for responding, but your "expert" opinion really has no bearing on the waiver process and the question asked and directed towards kp2001.
 
Okay, time out here.

I get the stress, but as a BGO I think you know the waiver process. You probably have much more insight than anyone here.
~ No where did I see MMAkid19 say they were an expert.
~~ My opinion was he was saying that your DD is at the tippy top. Nothing more.

If she was not your DD, what would be your response as a BGO to a candidate that had the same stats? My guess is this:
DoDMERB DQs, and SA waives, it is a case by case scenario.
~ You are asking kp2001 to make/state a chance without ever seeing her medical records or her career field aspirations.

Just my opinion, but I kind of agree with MMA19kid. Nobody here knows what this years application/candidate roles will be from a number perspective. You have to know as a BGO, that waivers when times are good are easier than when times are bad. You state she is being recruited, and that is an edge, but what is her true career goal? Is her true to desire to serve in the Navy? What happens if USMMA does waive and the Navy doesn't? Where does that leave her 4 years later from her HS graduation when she is about to graduate from USMMA and USNA says NOPE ?!?

Finally, and I am ready to be flamed...I expect more professionally from a BGO than flaming someone publicly, especially a kid that is what 18 at USMMA?
~ The kid just stated his opinion.
~ You are what late 40s, maybe in your 50s?

I know you are a new poster, my advice is if you only want a specific poster to respond to your specific needs, than pm them and take it out of the forums. Placing it publicly means anyone, including me can reply with our own opinions.

I wish her and your family great success and luck.

I understand that intonation cannot be determined via these forums. I hope that your quote of "expert" opinion was just me not understanding your intonation.
 
Okay, time out here.

I get the stress, but as a BGO I think you know the waiver process. You probably have much more insight than anyone here.
~ No where did I see MMAkid19 say they were an expert.
~~ My opinion was he was saying that your DD is at the tippy top. Nothing more.

If she was not your DD, what would be your response as a BGO to a candidate that had the same stats? My guess is this:
DoDMERB DQs, and SA waives, it is a case by case scenario.
~ You are asking kp2001 to make/state a chance without ever seeing her medical records or her career field aspirations.

Just my opinion, but I kind of agree with MMA19kid. Nobody here knows what this years application/candidate roles will be from a number perspective. You have to know as a BGO, that waivers when times are good are easier than when times are bad. You state she is being recruited, and that is an edge, but what is her true career goal? Is her true to desire to serve in the Navy? What happens if USMMA does waive and the Navy doesn't? Where does that leave her 4 years later from her HS graduation when she is about to graduate from USMMA and USNA says NOPE ?!?

Finally, and I am ready to be flamed...I expect more professionally from a BGO than flaming someone publicly, especially a kid that is what 18 at USMMA?
~ The kid just stated his opinion.
~ You are what late 40s, maybe in your 50s?

I know you are a new poster, my advice is if you only want a specific poster to respond to your specific needs, than pm them and take it out of the forums. Placing it publicly means anyone, including me can reply with our own opinions.

I wish her and your family great success and luck.

I understand that intonation cannot be determined via these forums. I hope that your quote of "expert" opinion was just me not understanding your intonation.
Not sure about the intonation, but let me state a few things here from my perspective:
1. I'm familiar with USNA, but not USMMA and their waiver process or what the chances would be for someone with vision at or above -8.0 or why the standard is set at that level;
2. My comments were specifically directed to kp2001 - he's a KP grad, an MD, and often provides insight regarding medical DQs and the like; and
3. MMA19kid responds with quite the sarcastic remark about being blind - not helpful and smacks of arrogance - hence my comment to him, which I don't see as flamming in the least.
Thanks for your reply. Hopefully kp2001 will be able to respond with some insight. I have no idea how to PM someone. I can't find that option anywhere on this forum.
 
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As Pima said, if you only want a response from a particular poster, then ask in a PM. If you post in an open forum, you do not get to decide who responds. I also don't really see the other poster's reply as being sarcastic. Maybe it isn't worded perfectly, but I don't see any arrogance or deliberate sarcasm there. I would also expect a bit more of a level-headed response from a BGO.

Also as an FYI, kp2001 resigned a while ago as a mod on these forums and does not frequent them much anymore.

Stealth_81
 
As Pima said, if you only want a response from a particular poster, then ask in a PM. If you post in an open forum, you do not get to decide who responds. I also don't really see the other poster's reply as being sarcastic. Maybe it isn't worded perfectly, but I don't see any arrogance or deliberate sarcasm there. I would also expect a bit more of a level-headed response from a BGO.

Also as an FYI, kp2001 resigned a while ago as a mod on these forums and does not frequent them much anymore.

Stealth_81
Thanks for your reply. How do you PM someone?
 
Thanks for your reply. How do you PM someone?

Click on their username in a post, and then select "Start a Conversation".

Stealth_81
Just tried your suggestion in this post trying to PM you. The option to start a conversation doesn't appear. Could this have something to do with the fact that I'm a new poster? Are there a minimum number of post one must have before PMs become an option? Thanks for your help.
 
3. MMA19kid responds with quite the sarcastic remark about being blind - not helpful and smacks of arrogance - hence my comment to him, which I don't see as flamming in the least.

Sorry you may have misunderstood my post. I was not being sarcastic or arrogant. I myself have myopia at -4 diopters and I know how terrible it is. Your DDs vision uncorrected likely meets the parameters of what is considered blind by the medical community. I'm not arrogant all, I'm actually considering very seriously resigning from the academy due to my inability to swim. Please don't make assumptions.
 
3. MMA19kid responds with quite the sarcastic remark about being blind - not helpful and smacks of arrogance - hence my comment to him, which I don't see as flamming in the least.

Sorry you may have misunderstood my post. I was not being sarcastic or arrogant. I myself have myopia at -4 diopters and I know how terrible it is. Your DDs vision uncorrected likely meets the parameters of what is considered blind by the medical community. I'm not arrogant all, I'm actually considering very seriously resigning from the academy due to my inability to swim. Please don't make assumptions.
Appreciate the apology and we can agree that this was a misunderstanding.

Other than that - DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES DROP. Swimming is a skill you can work on and overcome. You made it this far and you can make it through the swim test. Persevere.

Good luck.
 
swarkow,

You cannot send a PM until you hit 10 posts.
 
Well someone who is -8 would meet the legal definition of blindness if they weren't correctable with spectacles, but back to the question....


There will likely be two competing factors for the waiver here and I have a feeling that a waiver for USMMA may (and that's a big may) be a little easier due to the fact they aren't worried about commissioning active duty unrestricted line officers; however, one has to worry about the coast guard licensing requirement of better than 20/800 correctable to 20/40.

So you have the Navy who wants their piece: I think that one is going to be somewhat predicated on the second factor of how bad KP wants someone at the school.

Someone who is -8 now is beyond the requirement of -6 for programs leading to a commission and is at the limit for the physical for actual commissioning. At age 17-18 that -8 is likely to increase more by age 21/22, so I think it's not impossible, but I think it is a hurdle to overcome and not automatic.
 
I have the same DQ but I think I'm sort of odd... Both my eyes are correctable to 20/20. The myopia on one of my eyes is -6.5 and -9.5 on the other.
 
Well someone who is -8 would meet the legal definition of blindness if they weren't correctable with spectacles, but back to the question....


There will likely be two competing factors for the waiver here and I have a feeling that a waiver for USMMA may (and that's a big may) be a little easier due to the fact they aren't worried about commissioning active duty unrestricted line officers; however, one has to worry about the coast guard licensing requirement of better than 20/800 correctable to 20/40.

So you have the Navy who wants their piece: I think that one is going to be somewhat predicated on the second factor of how bad KP wants someone at the school.

Someone who is -8 now is beyond the requirement of -6 for programs leading to a commission and is at the limit for the physical for actual commissioning. At age 17-18 that -8 is likely to increase more by age 21/22, so I think it's not impossible, but I think it is a hurdle to overcome and not automatic.

@kp2001 - Thought I'd pop in here and update the situation with my DD's waiver. She ended up getting a waiver and the appointment came through today. Her follow on exam was fairly detailed retinal exam. No issues and she's fully correctable to 20/20 in both eyes. She's very relieved and excited.
 
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