Confused about a waiver.

Midwesternman

Midwesternman

USAFA C/o 24'
Joined
Oct 8, 2019
Messages
121
I am currently in the cycle of Dodmerb for USAFA. I received a single dq for asthma after 13th birthday. However, this was only because I was prescribed and inhaler as a precautionary measure for a trip to a third world country. I had my doctor write a note, and I wrote a personal statement describing the situation. The waiver authority requested my waiver but decided that a doctors note and my history as a varsity xc runner was not enough to grant the waiver and requested a methacholine test. I read about this in previous forum posts and found that waivers had been granted for people in the same situation without the mc test. Is there any reason why they would request more than just the notes? If I pass the mc test would that be good enough for a waiver?
 
USAFA is the waivering authority & if they want that test, it would seem you have no choice but to take it. From what you posted, you will pass the challenge NP, get the waiver & move on. It's hard to fit your scenario into others sometimes; esp. when they seem so similar. Maybe there was something in the Drs. note, maybe the admn. person who makes this decision thought it best, etc. Take & pass the test & from what I've read on the forum over the past 7 years, that is good to go. Good Luck!!
 
In our case, my DD was asked by USAFA to take a methacholine challenge, which she passed, but the waiver was denied anyway. The denial was this year for the class of 2024. Her waiver was denied last year by USAFA as well and her appointment rescinded. USNA approved the waiver last year but no appointment there. The thing is everyone's medical history is different so it is hard for anyone to say other than the waiver authority themselves, what will be approved or not. All I can say is good luck and I hope your story ends differently than ours!!
 
As has been said too many times to mention, nothing relating to any SA is GUARANTEED! Until the day you take your first Oath of Office anything can and sometimes does change. INSURE you have maybe an ROTC Program as Plan B, and a civilian college program as PLAN C or D or whatever. And if you absolutely have to serve, going enlisted is also an option. KEEP ALL DOORS OPEN, nothing in life is sure thing and prepare to have to switch gears midstream. Even if you are diagnosed with asthma, fail to get a waiver, and end up in college, there are staff or LDO positions that you can serve in (often as a Commissioned Officer) where certain normal medical disqualifications are not considered. Keep your head up, do whatever the military tells you to, and be prepared to shift gears as needed. GOOD LUCK!!
 
Impulsive said:
As has been said too many times to mention, nothing relating to any SA is GUARANTEED! Until the day you take your first Oath of Office anything can and sometimes does change. INSURE you have maybe an ROTC Program as Plan B, and a civilian college program as PLAN C or D or whatever. And if you absolutely have to serve, going enlisted is also an option. KEEP ALL DOORS OPEN, nothing in life is sure thing and prepare to have to switch gears midstream. Even if you are diagnosed with asthma, fail to get a waiver, and end up in college, there are staff or LDO positions that you can serve in (often as a Commissioned Officer) where certain normal medical disqualifications are not considered. Keep your head up, do whatever the military tells you to, and be prepared to shift gears as needed. GOOD LUCK!!
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I'm glad to read what you said, as my DS has been DQd since August. BUT, do you not think it's unethical to pay a deposit on a civilian school and then back out at the last minute if all goes well with BST? I having heartache about this. I'd love for him to apply ED, because I'm really really not sure he'll get a waiver from anyone.... I'd love him to get the merit scholarship he's already been pre-read for at a very selective school. BUT, his first choice would be a SA, so likely, he'll apply RD. And, even more so, if ROTC scholarship is offered, aren't you essentially screwing the school in two different ways?? Clarity here, please. What is customary?
 
Your daughter passed the methacholine test and then the waiver was denied? Yikes. What was the purpose of the test in the first place then? That makes no sense to me.
 
I know for certain that the annual number of waivers for some conditions is limited. I don't know if a history of asthma at any age is one of them, nor if it applies in this case.
 
DS had a dq for asthma and he had a MCT done, and eventually got a waiver. from what i gather (and learned WAY more than i wanted to about all the metrics that are measured for asthma) there is no clear cut standard to meet. it comes down to the judgment of the doctor at the waiver authority that is reviewing your file. they look at all factors, and all the available information that you provide and make a recommendation.

what i would recommend is to be proactive. read all the details in the DOD 6130 re: asthma, and show it to your doctor. make sure that all your records make it clear that you meet the standard, and if there is any gray area, ask your doctor to add clarifying info if needed. if he can't do that, you might want to see a pulmonologyst for a second and more expert opinion.

 
IMHO I would attempt to find a Dr. that was a former military Dr. or very familiar with the military process. They can be an invaluable resource. I have had experience with having two former military Dr.'s handle a case for my family and they knew exactly how to progress through the maze.
 
Thank you for the tremendous advice. I have printed out the 6130 and will bring it to my doctor. As to the military doctor, how would one find such doctor?
 
Most doctors these days have a profile page on their practice or provider website, or other commercial profile websites that may list their education. Look for:

- Medical school: USUHS Bethesda MD (military medical school) but that may be a relatively small percentage
- Residencies at a military medical center. Off top of head:
- Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (that is the merged joint version of Walter Reed Army Medical Center and National Naval Medical Center Bethesda)
- Naval Medical Center VA (or older name Portsmouth Naval Hospital)
- Naval Medical Center San Diego (Naval Hospital Balboa)
- Naval Hospital Bremerton
- Naval Station Great Lakes Hospital (which became a Health Clinic and is now part of a Federal Health Center)


These are just a few of the Navy ones I know, but there will be Army and Air Force hospitals listed in profiles of practicing doctors, even if they might now be closed, reduced to clinics or merged to become joint military medical centers. You don’t have to find a doctor who was in the service you aspire to.

Be sure to discuss with a parent any issues related to your health insurance coverage with any provider you might want to go see.
 
THmom said:
I'm glad to read what you said, as my DS has been DQd since August. BUT, do you not think it's unethical to pay a deposit on a civilian school and then back out at the last minute if all goes well with BST? I having heartache about this. I'd love for him to apply ED, because I'm really really not sure he'll get a waiver from anyone.... I'd love him to get the merit scholarship he's already been pre-read for at a very selective school. BUT, his first choice would be a SA, so likely, he'll apply RD. And, even more so, if ROTC scholarship is offered, aren't you essentially screwing the school in two different ways?? Clarity here, please. What is customary?
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Just so you know my "Personal" feelings, YES, by telling a civilian school you will attend, pay the deposit, accept the scholarship then back out in May, then it is questionable ethically in my mind. BUT, sometimes you don't have the choice, especially when it comes to medical clearance. Since waivers are sometimes granted so late in the process, if your son or daughter does not want to end up at a Community or State 2 yr college, there is no other choice. Ideally, the SA's and ROTC Programs would make their acceptance deadlines in February or March and allow for Plan B or C to be on the up and up and not questionable. Unfortunately there are so many applicants, congressional nominations, medical and physical requirements that they would not be able to do their due diligence in regard to applicants. And don't forget the offered academy appointments that are turned down at the last minute (because the candidate applied to multiple academies) creating another vacancy that you could be next in line for.
My understanding of civilian schools is that if you apply ED, get accepted say with a full scholarship, then you have to make your decision early in the SA process (consequently locking you out of that SA as you cannot accept a scholarship and commit to a civilian school and maintain your SA application). There are plenty of threads here regarding your "ethics" question, but the bottom line is short of ED (where you have to commit) if you are accepted at a civilian school, you have until May 1st to accept and pay the deposit. I would think by then if a waiver was not forthcoming that you are sure about, then you pay the deposit and if the academy comes calling you make the choice. Most Universities have more than enough students and applicants that one student pulling out does not effect their bottom line. Personal advice, keep communicating with your first civilian and/or ROTC choice and keep them advised of everything that is occurring and let them know up front that the Academy is foremost and upfront the first choice. JMHO, and not to insinuate anyone doing otherwise is wrong or cheating the system, it is the system.
 
I have one last question. I have my mc test soon, but am considering sending in some extra stuff with those results such as a letter from my xc and track coach, one from my doctor(s), and possibly a personal statement. Will this help any? Does the medical waiver crew put any stock in doctors and coaches notes? Or should I just take the mc test and let the results speak for themselves?
 
Do what they ask, nothing more nothing less. Sometimes sending in other material raises additional questions. Just do what they want.
 
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