Best of Luck

[HydroJim]

It sucks being told that you can't do something when you know that you could have done it and that you would have given it everything you had.

My Regional Commander called me today to inform me that the USMA doctors had denied my medical waiver. The news was crushing and likely means that other waiver authorities(ROTC) will likely also come to the same conclusion.

I wasn't angry with the decision, as the standards are in place to keep others safe, but today was not an easy day for me.

After a day of thinking, I'm starting to come around to the realization that my dream of serving as an officer may never be reached. RC told me that I could reapply for next year, but my conditions are not things that are going to get any better with time.

I wish the best of luck to everyone else going through this process. I wish I could have attended the academy with you guys, but I'm sure I will find my own path elsewhere.

I'd like to thank everyone on this forum for their support and knowledge in this process. This forum is a goldmine of information and upcoming candidates are lucky to have it.

 

[tug_boat]

Hydrojim....

Im very sorry to hear that. Best of luck to you on your new chapter

Push Hard, Press Forward

 

[hutchdweller]

HJ, I am very sorry to learn you've rec'd sad news. Having seen some of your previous posts, it is clear you have excellent qualifications. You have a great deal to offer the world and there many ways to serve. I am sure you will find the perfect path for you, it will just be a different one than you expected! Best of luck to you and please keep us informed as your new plan evolves.

 

[derfllon69]

Sorry to hear this, but it may not be the final word if you are interested going the ROTC route. I have known medically DQ'd candidate that had the drive (with the help of his parents) to go to a couple of well known and respected specialists for his condition. After his quest, he was waived for ROTC based on the second or third opinion. If you have the means and drive to pursue this route, it might work for you for ROTC,and could take some time, but this could also confirm what the WP Docs and DODMERB said. Good luck! Everything happens for a purpose.

 

[HydroJim]

Plan B and C are in action and Plan A is still available. I will explain.

Plan A.West Point. I'm currently exploring my options to appeal my case to the superintendent as he has the final say. I'm merely looking at this as another test on the road the West Point. USAFA has also not made their waiver decision, so I'll see what they say.

Plan B. AROTC, NROTC. Seperate waiver authorities and another option to reach the commission that I so desire. I fear they will come to the same conclusion as the USMA doctors.

Plan C. Yale, Upenn, Vanderbilt. All great schools that I would enjoy and I should hear back in March. I'm not going to get the gold bars at these schools though.

Plan D. I was accepted to the University of Cincinnati so that is where I will attend if any of my other plans fail.

I'll keep things updated on my appeal case and ROTC options.

 

[chief_bs]

Other paths...

My 2nd oldest is at West Point. My oldest wanted nothing more to be an Air Force pilot and go to the AFA. 4.0 student, Eagle Scout, etc., etc., etc. Then he went snow skiing at 17. Long story short - he broke his femur, got helo'ed off the mountain, and has an 18" titanium rod in his leg. Permanently disqualified from all branches of military service.

He was devastated.

But, God has plans we don't see. He is now 21, has his BSME, and will have his Master's in Aerospace Engineering in May. He's a contractor for the Air Force and does finite element analysis on SR-71's and other really cool jets. He LOVES what he's doing and is happy as can be. He also see's what his brother does at WP -- and knows that for him at least, God put him on the best path for him.

So, if you want to keep pushing, KEEP PUSHING until all paths are exhausted. But if God's plan for you doesn't match yours at the moment, you may find (as my oldest did), that God's plan for him was better and made him happier in the end.

As far as his health, he's fine. Some small, stupid issues he'll have to deal with (can't sit "Indian style" on the floor), but he did go to Philmont the next year with the Scouts and hiked 70 miles around New Mexico with a 40 pound pack.