AROTC Waiver

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boricua0113

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Greetings ladies and gentlemen,

I am a freshman in college taking summer classes at the University of Puerto Rico. For a very long time I've thought about doing ROTC and I've always had an interest in the military. I passed by the ROTC office on my campus last week and the PMS said I am exceptionally qualified for the program and explained to me the details of contracting if that's what I really wanted which, it is. He also said participating in the SMP program through the national guard can also be a good idea. Throughout the screening process he said my only obstacle is a shoulder surgery I had a year and a half ago. He said it takes about a year to contract and that I would have to pass a physical in which I would require a waiver. He mentioned something called DodMERB I believe.

To be more clear: December of 2014 I was rock climbing when I dead hung from my left shoulder and heard a clack. My shoulder did not dislocate. It felt unstable so I went to the doctor and he recommended therapy. Instead I rested the shoulder for about a month and returned to my daily routine of exercise including pull ups and weight lifting. Months passed by and my shoulder still felt a bit unstable. I returned to the doctor on November of 2015 and through an MRI he confirmed I had a substantial labral tear even though my shoulder never dislocated. I underwent surgery and he placed “bioabsorbable” pins in my shoulder. The pins have dissolved and are no longer there today. I underwent three months and a half of physical therapy and have gained full strenght and mobility in every direction except laterally. I have regained 175 out of 180 degrees laterally. My doctor cleared me for free activity and exercise on May 2016 and stated I am free to do as much exercise as is required. What are the chances of getting one? What process do I have to go through after the physical? It appears I will need a waiver for both ROTC and the NG if I join both. The PMS said if AROTC denies the waiver I can try to see of AFROTC approves it. Is that true? Does anyone have any experience with this particular issue?
 
**removed** -- I am NOT a doctor. I have no experience with your particular shoulder condition. Perhaps there will be others that do that can share their experiences.

Here is a link to the document DoDMERB will use to determine if you are medically "qualified " or "DQ" : http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/613003p.pdf

Pages 30, 31 and 34 seem most applicable to you. If DoDMERB determines you are DQ, then the medical waiver authority at Army ROTC Cadet Command (if you are awarded a scholarship) will determine whether a waiver can be granted. Each case is reviewed on its own circumstances so it is difficult to give you an answer about whether a waiver will be granted. It is true that each medical waiver authority makes its own decisions so it is definitely possible for one waiver authority (i.e., AROTC) to decide to not grant a waiver, but for another waiver authority (i.e. AFROTC) to decide to grant a waiver for the same condition.

Best wishes.
 
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My son is currently waiting to hear back on his waiver for the same issue.
He has been told the condition is commonly waived if recovery has been complete.
 
Thank you very much! AJC would you be able to keep me posted on your son's progress? Will be going through the same process this year.
 
You should collect all the documents related to the procedure. They will want X-ray and MRI reports plus the surgeons reports and follow ups. Also statements from coaches etc relating to the injury and recovery can be submitted as well as a personal statements that "tell the story" can be included in the AMIs that will be reviewed as part of the waiver process.Do not send anything they are asked for but having it in hand it could save a couple weeks.
Keep in mind the DoDMERB exam will not be ordered until scholarship has been awarded. So you basically have to wait to be DQ'd for the process to start. Remember it is in the Army's interest to grant a waiver if possible. As a scholarship winner they have already selected you.
 
boricua0113 said:
Greetings ladies and gentlemen,

I am a freshman in college taking summer classes at the University of Puerto Rico. For a very long time I've thought about doing ROTC and I've always had an interest in the military. I passed by the ROTC office on my campus last week and the PMS said I am exceptionally qualified for the program and explained to me the details of contracting if that's what I really wanted which, it is. He also said participating in the SMP program through the national guard can also be a good idea. Throughout the screening process he said my only obstacle is a shoulder surgery I had a year and a half ago. He said it takes about a year to contract and that I would have to pass a physical in which I would require a waiver. He mentioned something called DodMERB I believe.

To be more clear: December of 2014 I was rock climbing when I dead hung from my left shoulder and heard a clack. My shoulder did not dislocate. It felt unstable so I went to the doctor and he recommended therapy. Instead I rested the shoulder for about a month and returned to my daily routine of exercise including pull ups and weight lifting. Months passed by and my shoulder still felt a bit unstable. I returned to the doctor on November of 2015 and through an MRI he confirmed I had a substantial labral tear even though my shoulder never dislocated. I underwent surgery and he placed “bioabsorbable” pins in my shoulder. The pins have dissolved and are no longer there today. I underwent three months and a half of physical therapy and have gained full strenght and mobility in every direction except laterally. I have regained 175 out of 180 degrees laterally. My doctor cleared me for free activity and exercise on May 2016 and stated I am free to do as much exercise as is required. What are the chances of getting one? What process do I have to go through after the physical? It appears I will need a waiver for both ROTC and the NG if I join both. The PMS said if AROTC denies the waiver I can try to see of AFROTC approves it. Is that true? Does anyone have any experience with this particular issue?
Click to expand...

For security and privacy reasons, I would recommend you use a more anonymous user name.
If you wish to change your forum user name, post your request here and one of the mods should be able to pick it up.
 
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AJC I have all the reports with me on file. Will they also be asking for physical therapy notes? That is the only thing I do not have but I have a letter from the doctor clearing me for any type of strenous exercise. To update my last comment. I am missing a couple degrees of motion in my shoulder. It is barely noticeable, but I can do however many pushups and pullups they'd want me to.
 
the doctors report should include something about returning to unrestricted activity if even for gym class.
do not feel obligated to mention the couple of degrees. The doctor that does your physical will note you said yes to history of shoulder injury.
he might look at it closer. My son's examiner just looked at his scars and asked. that type history is a DQ, but the DQ will trigger the waiver process.
 
We too are waiting for a shoulder subluxation waiver to come through! The waiting is torturous. We are down to a month before Orientation Week!
 
Thank you so much AJC! Have they sent your son to another specialist where he had to do more shoulder exercises? I've heard of that happening before. I will not mention the couple of degrees then. Keep us posted ericbird! I bet...I already feel a tinsy bit nervous.
 
no, it was what was known as an administrative remedial, no additional doctors, just paper work.
there were several issues but all the others were cleared by DoDMERB.
DoDMERB was extremely helpful in suggesting additional information to include in the waiver submittal, but we knew the DQ would happen.
oh and while all this was happening he had his appendix removed and that requires another waiver after 6 months. he cannot be qualified until sometime in October. His school ROO said not to worry and proceed as if the waivers will come through.
 
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