DoDMERB DQ

[fleo1977]

Hi, my name is Leo. I will be a sophomore when I start AFROTC.

I have an allergy to shellfish (I was not advised to carry an epipen, though I was provided a prescription in case I wanted one. Which I didn't, so I just carry benadryl to take in case of a reaction and if it doesnt go away I should go to hospital as advised). My allergy is not severe, I can cook it, smell it, be around it, touch it and possibly take a few bites but I choose to avoid.

I know its a DQ and I haven't seen anyone get a waiver for this so far so I am really anxious about but might as well try right? I am very passionate about becoming a pilot through AFROTC and really want to find a way to do it.

If somehow I got my Dr. to remove the allergy from my medical records for example, should I just lie about it? Or ask her to make the epipen prescription inactive (From what I read it could influence, but I don't know if that would help anyways)

I talked to my future Cadre and he gave me an example of a girl (I dont know what was her case) that needed a waiver but couldnt get it so she ended up transfering to AROTC and got one there. So that left me thinking, is it possible I get dq from AFROTC then go to AROTC get a waiver there and then transfer to AFROTC?

The thought of possibly not being able to do it because of such a stupid thing upsets me so does any one know anyway that it could be pulled off? Or has anyone ever heard of a shellfish waiver? (My search results were not promising)

I know I am thinking too far ahead and first they need to like me to even request a waiver, but I am very dedicated and passionate and have no doubt I will be one of if not the most dedicated.

 

[greenfield1]

I got disqualified from ROTC for an immune thing that is essentially a severe allergy (not to shellfish though). First of all definitely don't lie about it. That is just about the last thing you should do. If you lie about it and they find out your situation will become so much worse.

I would start by working with the cadre at your school. Find out what you need to do to start the DoDMERB process. For my waiver/remedial, I had to get a letter detailing my condition, any triggers/reactions, the severity, and whether my doctor would recommend me to be cleared for a military environment. If requested by DoDMERB, your doctor or allergist would essentially have to put in writing what you have said about it being a mild allergy and talk about your reactions, any treatment, and prognosis, etc. They may also require you to do a IgE blood test.

Waivers are issued separately by each branch. So you wouldn't be able to get a waiver from Army and transfer it to Air Force. The waiver would only qualify you for AROTC.

And in the worst case if you do get disqualified I know first hand how much it sucks but I promise you life keeps moving. There are so many ways to serve that aren't in the military. I have friends who got DQ'd and now work for three-letter agencies, Secret Service, firefighter, etc. It definitely hurts but there's so much out there in the world.

 

[justdoit19]

Good anecdotal post by @greenfield1.

You CANNOT ‘erase’ your condition. You have medical records. Insurance records. Pharmacy records. Those cannot be ‘ erased’. You have an existing (like many applicants do) condition, and like everyone else, have to go through the process.

If it turns out it’s something that ‘doesn’t matter’? There is a process for that, within the DODMERB and waiver experience. And if it’s something that does actually matter? Then you pivot and move forward. Idk the outcome. But lying should not even be on you mind as an applicant.

 

[Capt MJ]

Hi, my name is Leo. I will be a sophomore when I start AFROTC.

I have an allergy to shellfish (I was not advised to carry an epipen, though I was provided a prescription in case I wanted one. Which I didn't, so I just carry benadryl to take in case of a reaction and if it doesnt go away I should go to hospital as advised). My allergy is not severe, I can cook it, smell it, be around it, touch it and possibly take a few bites but I choose to avoid.

I know its a DQ and I haven't seen anyone get a waiver for this so far so I am really anxious about but might as well try right? I am very passionate about becoming a pilot through AFROTC and really want to find a way to do it.

If somehow I got my Dr. to remove the allergy from my medical records for example, should I just lie about it? Or ask her to make the epipen prescription inactive (From what I read it could influence, but I don't know if that would help anyways)

I talked to my future Cadre and he gave me an example of a girl (I dont know what was her case) that needed a waiver but couldnt get it so she ended up transfering to AROTC and got one there. So that left me thinking, is it possible I get dq from AFROTC then go to AROTC get a waiver there and then transfer to AFROTC?

The thought of possibly not being able to do it because of such a stupid thing upsets me so does any one know anyway that it could be pulled off? Or has anyone ever heard of a shellfish waiver? (My search results were not promising)

I know I am thinking too far ahead and first they need to like me to even request a waiver, but I am very dedicated and passionate and have no doubt I will be one of if not the most dedicated.

You have gotten some good advice here.
Do not lie. Do not ask a doctor to do anything unethical.
Go through the process.
Deal with any outcomes.
Service waiver policies may differ because missions, operating environments, gear and equipment differ. As noted in other posts, an AROTC waiver applies to AROTC.

There is a reason the military medical accession bar is set so high. Unit readiness and safety are the most important consideration. Military people work in remote, harsh, high-pressure situations often far from advanced medical care. The military brings in people the least vulnerable to previous or existing health conditions. This is not about you - it’s about the unit, and people being the least susceptible to anything that makes them potentially unable to contribute to mission readiness.

Work with your doctor to really nail down the diagnosis and severity.

If the worst case happens, as @greenfield1 pointed out, there are many options to serve the country in addition to military service. All of the major 3-letter federal agencies and departments have college programs - just google “DHS college student programs” and similar. And, google DoD SMART scholarship, geared toward STEM, which provides a generous scholarship and a job in DoD later. The CIA and FBI, if you can’t be a commissioned agent, rely on top-tier support teams in operations plannng, intelligence, cyber, analysis, logistics, communications, etc.

Deal with one thing at a time and always act with integrity. This is all part of being an adult, encountering challenges and overcoming or adapting.

 

[fleo1977]

You have gotten some good advice here.
Do not lie. Do not ask a doctor to do anything unethical.
Go through the process.
Deal with any outcomes.
Service waiver policies may differ because missions, operating environments, gear and equipment differ. As noted in other posts, an AROTC waiver applies to AROTC.

There is a reason the military medical accession bar is set so high. Unit readiness and safety are the most important consideration. Military people work in remote, harsh, high-pressure situations often far from advanced medical care. The military brings in people the least vulnerable to previous or existing health conditions. This is not about you - it’s about the unit, and people being the least susceptible to anything that makes them potentially unable to contribute to mission readiness.

Work with your doctor to really nail down the diagnosis and severity.

If the worst case happens, as @greenfield1 pointed out, there are many options to serve the country in addition to military service. All of the major 3-letter federal agencies and departments have college programs - just google “DHS college student programs” and similar. And, google DoD SMART scholarship, geared toward STEM, which provides a generous scholarship and a job in DoD later. The CIA and FBI, if you can’t be a commissioned agent, rely on top-tier support teams in operations plannng, intelligence, cyber, analysis, logistics, communications, etc.

Deal with one thing at a time and always act with integrity. This is all part of being an adult, encountering challenges and overcoming or adapting.

I got disqualified from ROTC for an immune thing that is essentially a severe allergy (not to shellfish though). First of all definitely don't lie about it. That is just about the last thing you should do. If you lie about it and they find out your situation will become so much worse.

I would start by working with the cadre at your school. Find out what you need to do to start the DoDMERB process. For my waiver/remedial, I had to get a letter detailing my condition, any triggers/reactions, the severity, and whether my doctor would recommend me to be cleared for a military environment. If requested by DoDMERB, your doctor or allergist would essentially have to put in writing what you have said about it being a mild allergy and talk about your reactions, any treatment, and prognosis, etc. They may also require you to do a IgE blood test.

Waivers are issued separately by each branch. So you wouldn't be able to get a waiver from Army and transfer it to Air Force. The waiver would only qualify you for AROTC.

And in the worst case if you do get disqualified I know first hand how much it sucks but I promise you life keeps moving. There are so many ways to serve that aren't in the military. I have friends who got DQ'd and now work for three-letter agencies, Secret Service, firefighter, etc. It definitely hurts but there's so much out there in the world.

Good anecdotal post by @greenfield1.

You CANNOT ‘erase’ your condition. You have medical records. Insurance records. Pharmacy records. Those cannot be ‘ erased’. You have an existing (like many applicants do) condition, and like everyone else, have to go through the process.

If it turns out it’s something that ‘doesn’t matter’? There is a process for that, within the DODMERB and waiver experience. And if it’s something that does actually matter? Then you pivot and move forward. Idk the outcome. But lying should not even be on you mind as an applicant.

Thank you for you guys' answers. I really appreciate it.

Deep there I kind of already knew it that there is no way around, but you know, when you really want something you always try to find a way for it.

I will let the cards play out and see what happens. Hopefully the outcome will be what I want or at least similar to it. One day at a time.

 

[IggyMom23]

Your allergist can also have you complete an allergen exposure challenge if they do that for a shellfish allergy. It takes a couple of hours and you are gradually exposed to more and more of the allergen under the watch of the doctor. Then you basically pass or fail it. My DS got a rash from penicillin as a toddler and was never given it again (same for me). They call that an allergy typically, although it’s technically not for most people. We both did the challenge when he was a freshman in HS and cleared of any allergy. While this won’t remove your history of shellfish allergy from your medical record, if you pass that test it would be useful when asked for additional information related to a waiver. If it turns out you still have an allergy, you will have to go from there and decide what to do.