DoDMERB Consultants

For USNA, the medical status is not considered when determining qualification by the Admissions Board or LOA. However, the waiver process is not likely to be initiated unless the candidate is extremely competitive. This makes perfect sense...imagine the amount of overhead required to initiate the waiver process for every single medically DQ'd candidate (regardless of qualification status)...there could be a great deal of candidates that are not in the remote running for an appointment. Waivers are reviewed by the admissions office senior medical officer and a decision is recommended and, ultimately, approved by the Superintendent. Pure speculation, but I am sure this is where the numbers and percentages of the allowed waivers are hashed out. As USNA1985 stated, it is always best to consult the admission's office medical representatives.
 
Leadfoot said:
We used Dr. Merchant after DS was DQ'd. If I recall his pricing structure, there is an initial flat fee ($500?) and then an additional "success" fee ($500)?) only if waiver is received.

We wanted our DS to know that we were doing everything within our ability to support his dream. If waiver didn't come through then we figured that we were out $500 but had demonstrated our support of his dream. If waiver came through, then it was $1000 well spent (i.e. no tuition checks).

We followed Dr. Merchant's advice to the letter and DS ultimately got the waiver. There were times, however, when Dr. Merchant's response times were not wonderful but, in the end, his advice/counsel was worth every penny. IMHO.
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Can you forward me the contact information for Dr. Merchant? My son was DQ'd after 1 doc visit - which never affected any athletic performance nor did he need rehab, surgery. Top athlete with multiple awards through high school; non-stop in sports which overlap.
I suspect the issue was with diagnosis the doctor initially gave - my guess is for insurance reasons. Bottom line, it affected his appointment. He is determined to reapply. Multiple doctors have already cleared him and don't understand why he is being DQ'ed. But, DoDMERB still DQ'ed him and no waiver given. He has been fighting it. Been a long journey. Any other resources, insight, recommendations would be helpful
 
usnabgo08 said:
For USNA, the medical status is not considered when determining qualification by the Admissions Board or LOA. However, the waiver process is not likely to be initiated unless the candidate is extremely competitive. This makes perfect sense...imagine the amount of overhead required to initiate the waiver process for every single medically DQ'd candidate (regardless of qualification status)...there could be a great deal of candidates that are not in the remote running for an appointment. Waivers are reviewed by the admissions office senior medical officer and a decision is recommended and, ultimately, approved by the Superintendent. Pure speculation, but I am sure this is where the numbers and percentages of the allowed waivers are hashed out. As USNA1985 stated, it is always best to consult the admission's office medical representatives.
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thank you for the info
 
I've had direct experience with DODMERB Consultants. Positive on all fronts, successful outcome, and am happy to share with any parent, DS/DD, who may be considering. PM me..
 
Any help you have with DoDMERB would be great. My son is determined to reapply.
 
Windy said:
Any help you have with DoDMERB would be great. My son is determined to reapply.
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I had a very good experience utilizing Dr. Merchant & DoDMERB Consultant's services while DS was going through the DoDMERB and waiver processes. He was very attentive (although you have to wait for responses from time to time) and gave pragmatic advice. I would reach out to him via his website, have an initial discussion (at no cost) and then decide if you want to utilize his services. As with any consultant, their value varies on the situation and they are not the "silver bullet" that solves everything. He will point you in the right direction. Send me a PM and I will be happy to help as I can.
 
DR. Merchant and DoDMERB consultant's are fantastic. Very helpful and prompt. Offered key information on an ambiguous medical issue before filling out DodMERB paperwork for USNA. I offered to pay and they said No Charge !!
 
Can anyone PM me their number? I am in need of Dr. Merchant's services as I am close to commissioning but some medical issues have arose.
 
I kind of find it funny when one person asked why do you need to hire a consultant when the process is free. Just about every process you hire a lawyer or a CPA to do is free. The diffrence being they have knowledge and expereience dealing with a circumstance that most people dont. Every process has rules that both sides have to follow and yet it is the interpreration and or the presentation of the facts that can make all the difference. When a 16 year old kid goes the doctor for wheezing as he has the flu and the doctors marks down Asthma symptoms, I think you need someone to figure out how the information needs be presented and challenged when the kid never had asthma. Unless the academies have a special kind of bureauracy that no one else has, sometimes it pays to have some professional help. I am sure he isnt a miracle worker but there are people who really know how the system works
 
We have found Dr. Merchant to be extremely knowledgeable. We have had friends who have struggled through medical evaluation part of enlistment attempting to figure it out on their own. Some were successful. Some were not. I know that DODMERB is different but we didn't want to hinder our kids' dreams by walking through a landmine without a map. Dr. Merchant has the map. I would be willing to talk to any parents who might have questions.
 
AFROTC2016 said:
He said that yes, I have a chance at doing AROTC, which is hopeful. I want to take everyone's word for it and invest the $500 or whatever, but it can be a tough call. Thanks for your advice
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When I contacted Dr. Merchant for advice, we had a couple of email exchanges and one or two conversations. He did give some advice, but did not tell me everything he thought we should do, since obviously, that is what folks pay him for - he's in business, after all. Ultimately, we did not contract with him - if it had been up to just me, I would have done so, but DH disagreed. I was pretty sure I could navigate the process and fortunately, all went well and DD was waived.
I don't think Dr. Merchant is running any kind of scam, if that's what you'd like reassurance for. He is legitimate, and can bring clarity to this process. I believe his advice could increase the chances of a waiver, though that can never be guaranteed.
 
We had a very poor experience and would not recommend. No interaction after payment, even with multiple emails, website inquiries and voicemails.
 
MLparent said:
We had a very poor experience and would not recommend. No interaction after payment, even with multiple emails, website inquiries and voicemails.
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This has happened to us as well. He's got our money but that's about it!
 
dtaavy10 said:
DoDMERB Consultants has great interest in soliciting business advertised to help families get through a very stressful process but the owner (Glen Merchant) has a history and pattern of failing to respond after separating families from their money. We have spoken with an attorney regarding a class action lawsuit given that this is a pattern of behavior with intent to defraud. Looking to gauge interest from the community to proceed. We can forward information via this forum once details are completed.
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Hi dtaavy10,
Certainly interested in an action, but not overly optimistic. Now that my son is well under way and thriving in NROTC, I put it in the back of my mind and tend to say the end justifies the means, but what this guy does to families as they navigate DoDMERB is just wrong. Never heard back once he got the fee. Buyer beware and all that and if it was just me, oh well, but it is a pattern with this guy.
It will be hard to prevail against him, since it is such a subjective service and it will be tough to prove fraud. I have said since day 1 on this thread that my main goal is to warn other families in this process to avoid Merchant like the plague.
 
I had contacted Dr Merchant Sept 2018. Until he received the payment he returned all calls, emails. After the initial consultation I made the payment. I sent my DS's medical as requested. He said he will contact us in 3 weeks, I gave 4 weeks and tried calling emails. No response. Luckily I used a credit card to make the payment. I called the credit card company to inform about fraud. Coincidentally Dr Merchant sent me an email stating that he suffered from a heart attack and recovering. I informed him that he should inform his clients (via website) that there was some sort of emergency and will get back to his clients ASAP. Anyway I got my money back from the credit card company. Even after my email, I have not had no response from Dr Merchant. I think he is fraud.
 
@DSM, exactly same experience here...

It is not the money, it is the precious time wasted with his dude, the safety and privacy of medical record sent to him, and more importantly tarnish to US Navy's image for the young men & women who are thinking to join the service for something bigger than themselves. I would think Navy can do something to prevent and punish Mr. Merchant for continuing his fraudulent (or even criminal) behavior by using his Navy experience as an advertisement and selling point to phish more victims.
 
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