Candidate Fitness and Medical Exams

[alovetri]

Hi everyone,
I am a junior in high school and applying to the USAFA this summer. I know that you have to perform the candidate fitness exam, but I was wondering when do I do this? Also, I know that in order to be approved for the academy you have to be medically examined, and that there are a lot of factors that can disqualify you. First, when does this medical exam occur and second, would a bunion disqualify me? I am planning to have my bunion removed in early August. My bunion does not prevent me from performing physical activity in any way. However, I want to be sure that I get my fitness and medical exams out of the way BEFORE I have surgery, since recovery takes at least three months.
Can anyone help me? Thank you!

 

[Dad]

Any medical issues after the exam MUST be reported to DoDMERB. If you have surgery after the exam, you would have to report it and get a remedial when you have fully recovered. My DS broke his hand in football last season and had to wait until December to requalify. You might want to ask this question on the DODMERB part of the forum. Larry Mullin is THE person to talk to regarding all things DODMERB related.

 

[USAFAHopefulMom]

You can do the CFA any time after you get your application packet online. If you didn't apply for summer seminar, then go ahead and do the pre-candidate questionnaire online now. By some point in July you should then get your online application info with all the requirements/checklists. Do not wait until July to start practicing for the CFA, though, if you want to do it in early August. To do your best, you need to start getting in shape for it now--look up all the different activities and the order/timing of each as its very specific.

Getting your application packet online in July should also trigger the information from Concorde/DoDMERB to be sent to you via mail. It will have info about where to take your exam, the online questionnaire you'll have to fill out etc. I would schedule your surgery as late in August as possible just so you have time to get all this other stuff done first. The other poster was exactly right that surgery after your initial exam will have to be reviewed.