How long can you delay the ROTC DoDMERB exam following board results?

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rotcrnparent

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Let's say an applicant gets a NROTC or AROTC scholarship at the first board (late Oct, 2024). So they will likely get the scholarship by early November.

1)Approximately how long from getting board results does one have to login into the computer system and schedule the DoMERB exam ?
2)When scheduling, can one schedule the exam for several months in the future?
3)Does any look-back period of medication use start by the date one schedules the exam or the date one has the exam?

Thank you!
 
You have to start the process within I believe 60 days or else you basically expire out of the system and you'll have to contact DODMETS and ask them to re-authorize your exams.

As far as how long you wait, that really won't have any bearing on approval. The medical accession standards are pretty black and white, and any disqualifying conditions may or may not have "time lapsed since" type stipulations. But if you stopped taking a particular medication at such and such a date, waiting extra time to fill out your medical history or take your exams is not going to change that.

As a starting point, I'd recommend going to the DODMERB website and reading through the medical standards document carefully. If you anticipate issues and/or possible need for waivers, now is the time to start gathering medical records, making doctor appointments for follow-up evaluations, etc. In many cases, if you can get your doctors to sign off on old conditions and give you a letter or official exam notes indicates that such and such a condition is "resolved" and requires no further medical treatment, that can be very helpful in the qualification process.

If you do have issues that will have to be addressed, all you can do is start the process and work through. As everyone here on these forums says over and over again, every applicant is considered on a case by case basis, and no one here can gauge your particular odds of success. It's all just speculation, and that and $1 will get you any sized coffee at McDonald's.

Good luck!
 
rotcrnparent said:
Let's say an applicant gets a NROTC or AROTC scholarship at the first board (late Oct, 2024). So they will likely get the scholarship by early November.

1)Approximately how long from getting board results does one have to login into the computer system and schedule the DoMERB exam ?
2)When scheduling, can one schedule the exam for several months in the future?
3)Does any look-back period of medication use start by the date one schedules the exam or the date one has the exam?

Thank you!
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This reads like you are figuring out a DQ-avoidance strategy. I don’t know the authoritative answer on when lookback periods start.

When the prompt to start the DoDMERB process comes, recipients are expected to get on with the process.

The sooner the scholarship winner starts the DoDMERB process, the faster any issues are identified, AMI may be requested and any waiver process begins.

This is the military medical accession standard, useful for details on what triggers a DQ.



Additional primary source reading:

I am fairly sure the scholarship will not be activated until DoDMERB provides a Q or a waiver is obtained. If there is a DQ, and a period of time to wait, then that is what happens.
 
Yes--trying to avoid a DQ. Kid takes acne medication but can stop it.
Capt MJ said:
This reads like you are figuring out a DQ-avoidance strategy. I don’t know the authoritative answer on when lookback periods start.

When the prompt to start the DoDMERB process comes, recipients are expected to get on with the process.

The sooner the scholarship winner starts the DoDMERB process, the faster any issues are identified, AMI may be requested and any waiver process begins.

This is the military medical accession standard, useful for details on what triggers a DQ.



Additional primary source reading:

I am fairly sure the scholarship will not be activated until DoDMERB provides a Q or a waiver is obtained. If there is a DQ, and a period of time to wait, then that is what happens.
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Doesn't the applicant have until December of freshman year of college to get a Q or a waiver? (this is ROTC, not for an Academy).
 
S/he will have to disclose on their medical history, no matter. So, for example, if you are talking about accutane, then the DQ will exist for the time required, no matter what. So I’m not seeing what the difference is between getting on with the process and dealing with everything that comes up, or delaying it, and risking potentially more things happening or coming up.

As CaptMJ said:
Capt MJ said:
I am fairly sure the scholarship will not be activated until DoDMERB provides a Q or a waiver is obtained. If there is a DQ, and a period of time to wait, then that is what happens.
Click to expand...

I would tell my own to start the process, and work through it. Your student isn’t the first one to go through this. Getting a jump on it will calm nerves, give a path of knowledge for moving forward, and allow everything to be ready go when the time comes to activate.

Good luck!!
https://www.serviceacademyforums.co...dit-cards-amex-waived-fees.95118/post-1028835
 
justdoit19 said:
S/he will have to disclose on their medical history, no matter. So, for example, if you are talking about accutane, then the DQ will exist for the time required, no matter what. So I’m not seeing what the difference is between getting on with the process and dealing with everything that comes up, or delaying it, and risking potentially more things happening or coming up.

As CaptMJ said:


I would tell my own to start the process, and work through it. Your student isn’t the first one to go through this. Getting a jump on it will calm nerves, give a path of knowledge for moving forward, and allow everything to be ready go when the time comes to activate.

Good luck!!
https://www.serviceacademyforums.co...dit-cards-amex-waived-fees.95118/post-1028835
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Thanks! This makes a lot of sense to me: the timeline is ticking regardless of when we report it.

It's an ADHD med. We're trying to ensure 2+ years off meds. The kid had never had (or needed) any accommodations.
She's applying to competitive schools and we'll pay the tuition if she doesn't get the scholarship.
She's a competitive applicant to these universities at baseline.
What I don't want to happen is if by chance she gets the scholarship at the first board and then rapidly gets a DQ from the DoDMER (before the university ED or EA admissions are out in Dec/Jan) and the Unit contacts Admissions and says "this girl is in ROTC DoDMER waiver limbo, don't admit her." Am I crazy to worry about this?
 
rotcrnparent said:
... and the Unit contacts Admissions and says "this girl is in ROTC DoDMER waiver limbo, don't admit her." Am I crazy to worry about this?
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Yes... This will never happen.

rotcrnparent said:
Let's say an applicant gets a NROTC or AROTC scholarship at the first board (late Oct, 2024). So they will likely get the scholarship by early November.
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Almost always a bad assumption. It's far more likely the applicant will not hear until months later. Few scholarships are awarded on the initial board. The folks who do get them in this timeframe usually walk on water.
 
kinnem said:
Yes... This will never happen.


Almost always a bad assumption. It's far more likely the applicant will not hear until months later. Few scholarships are awarded on the initial board. The folks who do get them in this timeframe usually walk on water.
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That makes complete sense but my kid's high school apparently has great success with getting kids through on board #1. I don't know how and it contradicts what I've read on here but apparently it's their track record, up to and including this year per the college counseling office. It's a top 5 in the US science magnet.
The school has an average SAT score of 1540. My kid (who I'd say is a fairly typical ROTC applicant from this school) will be applying with a 1590, math 3 years beyond calculus BC, physics C, published research etc. Female engineering applicant.
 
rotcrnparent said:
That makes complete sense but my kid's high school apparently has great success with getting kids through on board #1. I don't know how and it contradicts what I've read on here but apparently it's their track record, up to and including this year per the college counseling office. It's a top 5 in the US science magnet.
The school has an average SAT score of 1540. My kid (who I'd say is a fairly typical ROTC applicant from this school) will be applying with a 1590, math 3 years beyond calculus BC, physics C, published research etc. Female engineering applicant.
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Well then...
 
rotcrnparent said:
That makes complete sense but my kid's high school apparently has great success with getting kids through on board #1. I don't know how and it contradicts what I've read on here but apparently it's their track record, up to and including this year per the college counseling office. It's a top 5 in the US science magnet.
The school has an average SAT score of 1540. My kid (who I'd say is a fairly typical ROTC applicant from this school) will be applying with a 1590, math 3 years beyond calculus BC, physics C, published research etc. Female engineering applicant.
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Your DD will be getting in on her own merits. Her HS doesn’t have a way of ‘getting kids in’. Her HS may have great kids, that tend to get in. It’s a national competition.

She needs to apply, get going on her DODMERB, and work through the process. You can’t game it, or figure a way around it. She will have to go through it. Like everyone else does. For example, if she doesn’t apply until later, skipping the first boards to try and extend her time off meds before reporting them? She may miss out alll together.

No one here will be able to tell you how it will play out.

This part doesn’t happen. At all. 👇🏻
rotcrnparent said:
and the Unit contacts Admissions and says "this girl is in ROTC DoDMER waiver limbo, don't admit her." Am I crazy to worry about this?
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And it’s all a moot point of she doesn’t receive a scholarship. Thats the first step. It isn’t all about the academics.
 
DS got a first board scholarship. This meant his sports-caused broken nose surgery was DQ and required a waiver.

Ironically if he had made a later board he would not have required a waiver because he would have been outside the 24 month DQ range. It was aggravating but he got his waiver in about 3 weeks. Again, this was a simple waiver.

It is worth noting the waiver approval authority will never see your kid's resume so amazing qualifications mean a big fat zero.

So....
The regs will say exactly what the time frame is for a specific issue to be a DQ and require a waiver. If you are outside the regulatory time requirement, you're fine and get to DODMERB.

If your issue is complex, get in immediately. If it's a no-brainer waiver, get in immediately and have faith in the system.

If your issue is iffy but you can wait it out until it expires, maybe try that. But as I've recently been told, you have to clear DODMERB to activate the scholarship.

I think most in your position would benefit most from doing DODMERB ASAP so you can get through the waiver process as early as possible for better or worse.
 
rotcrnparent said:
Thanks! This makes a lot of sense to me: the timeline is ticking regardless of when we report it.

It's an ADHD med. We're trying to ensure 2+ years off meds. The kid had never had (or needed) any accommodations.
She's applying to competitive schools and we'll pay the tuition if she doesn't get the scholarship.
She's a competitive applicant to these universities at baseline.
What I don't want to happen is if by chance she gets the scholarship at the first board and then rapidly gets a DQ from the DoDMER (before the university ED or EA admissions are out in Dec/Jan) and the Unit contacts Admissions and says "this girl is in ROTC DoDMER waiver limbo, don't admit her." Am I crazy to worry about this?
Click to expand...
ADHD case discussions are worth searching SAF for.

To be proactive, you will want to strategize the preps for any future AMI requests. You can send all kinds of provider info to DoDMERB, which acts as the info clearinghouse for commissioning programs and waiver authorities. Comments below are rhetorical.
- Did she stop medications on her own, or was she evaluated and the provider clearly documented her current state, updated diagnosis as appropriate and reiterated no accommodations have been/are needed and stopped the prescription and usage on X date? Do you have an evaluation current within the last year? (Just brainstorming all the ways you can make the case this is not a condition that has to be actively managed)
- Do school records reflect current state of no accommodations, no existence of IEPs, ever? Do they reflect medication history accurately? Do they match any updates from provider?
- Do pharmacy records accurately reflect no active prescription? Nothing refilled after declared stoppage date?
- Confirm no standardized tests were taken with accommodations, if any. Determine which, if any, standardized tests were taken with medication. If her most current ones to be submitted with scholarship application were taken with meds, consider re-taking, to underscore the point performance is unaffected.
- You are building an evidence trail that shows she performs just fine off meds, and her provider evaluates her in a way that shows minimal impact of any diagnosed condition. .

And - she should not take any of this personally. The military medical accession bar is set very high, because unit mission readiness and safety are paramount over the needs of the individual. Military people operate around the globe in harsh, remote operating conditions, often far from advanced medical care. The military brings in those least susceptible to recurrence of past injuries, illnesses or conditions, to minimize chances of an individual “breaking” when their people depend on them.
 
Honestly, the best strategy is probably to just go through the DoDMERB exam sooner rather than later, and that’s what others here are suggesting as well

There will be DQs for Accutane and ADHD no matter the timing, as those questions are of the “have you EVER…?” variety. Sometimes, it can take them a while a to review paperwork and grant the waiver, even if you’ve met the 2-year medicine timing requirements or whatever they may be as every case is different, and you’d rather have them tracking your file sooner so they can get started on it. They have thousands of files to review each year. Their systems have crashed in previous years, adding to delays. They magically lose your paperwork. Etc. You name it…

For NROTC (and likely AROTC), they will not pay out your scholarship until you get medically cleared, to include waivers. If you start the DoDMERB process later, and it takes them a while to grant waivers because of random things like how many other packages they have to review, or their system crashes, well, then you run the risk of getting medical clearance too late and paying for the first semester or year out-of-pocket, even if you met the timing requirements

Agree with others that’s it’s not a good assumption to make you’ll get scholarship on first board. It’s gotten a lot more competitive recently, and there’s other things in an applicant’s package, not just test scores and GPAs. Not saying it won’t happen for sure, but assuming it for sure will can come across the wrong way

They’re not going to write admissions telling them to not admit a student. That would be super shady and would go against their values. Even if they did (which again, they will not do this), admissions wouldn’t listen to them, and they’ll consider the applicant just like they would consider any other applicant to their college

And as always, talk to a medical doctor first before stopping any prescriptions.
 
Capt MJ said:
ADHD case discussions are worth searching SAF for.

To be proactive, you will want to strategize the preps for any future AMI requests. You can send all kinds of provider info to DoDMERB, which acts as the info clearinghouse for commissioning programs and waiver authorities. Comments below are rhetorical.
- Did she stop medications on her own, or was she evaluated and the provider clearly documented her current state, updated diagnosis as appropriate and reiterated no accommodations have been/are needed and stopped the prescription and usage on X date? Do you have an evaluation current within the last year? (Just brainstorming all the ways you can make the case this is not a condition that has to be actively managed)
- Do school records reflect current state of no accommodations, no existence of IEPs, ever? Do they reflect medication history accurately? Do they match any updates from provider?
- Do pharmacy records accurately reflect no active prescription? Nothing refilled after declared stoppage date?
- Confirm no standardized tests were taken with accommodations, if any. Determine which, if any, standardized tests were taken with medication. If her most current ones to be submitted with scholarship application were taken with meds, consider re-taking, to underscore the point performance is unaffected.
- You are building an evidence trail that shows she performs just fine off meds, and her provider evaluates her in a way that shows minimal impact of any diagnosed condition. .

And - she should not take any of this personally. The military medical accession bar is set very high, because unit mission readiness and safety are paramount over the needs of the individual. Military people operate around the globe in harsh, remote operating conditions, often far from advanced medical care. The military brings in those least susceptible to recurrence of past injuries, illnesses or conditions, to minimize chances of an individual “breaking” when their people depend on them.
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OP here. Thanks! The schools my kid attended have no record of this diagnosis (or anything related) at all--we never told them as we never pursued accommodations, 504, IEP, etc. Standardized tests were taken without accommodations (again she never had any) and without meds.
 
Medical records are largely electronic now. DoD utilizes MHS Genesis which accesses existing electronic health records - both civilian and military - in order to safeguard against non-disclosure of medical conditions which may disqualify an applicant from either enlisting or commissioning.

The days of an applicant being able to "hide" a pre-existing medical condition are essentially over.

This electronic medical record gathering as part of the enlistment and commissioning medical screening process has been well publicized as contributing to the difficulties all services are experiencing with meeting their recruiting targets.

If a medical or prescription record exists electronically, DoD will eventually discover it.
 
recommendation is to confirm the official medication accpetable timelines with DODMERB directly for potentially DQing medications like Accutane or an ADHD medication. Sites like University of Kansas Army ROTC official site seem to indicate that accutane being stopped for a shorter window, and ADHD medication being stopped for one year are sufficient. But that's not DODMERB, not an official medical source - go confirm this one directly. Of course, here in May of 2024, your stoppage date for ADHD would need to be in the past, and as others noted the date you were last prescribed/ filled a prescription are details you won't be able to hide.

If you'd prefer a later date than being awarded the scholarship in the first round, since with a 1590 and if also with rock star grades, an athlete/ scholar/ leader then your DD might be among the walk on water folks, then why not delay your application filing until closer to the must-file-by deadline so you avoid that problem- will the extra months help you with your stopped-medication window, exactly? if not, then I agree with other posters that filing early allows more time for AMI additional medical information and a waiver to potentially be adjudicated. Are you going for Army, which does give some 4 years in the first board?

Last comment - some people are dependent on medications that 'burn-in'. If your DD needs ADHD medication, then continue on it, and find other ways to serve outside of the armed forces. Don't jeopardize your health to pursue this dream (says the very hypocritical man who once stayed up on No-Doze caffeine pills for 60 hours during finals week in college).

Good luck and thanks for your DD's willingness and interest to serve.
 
Herman_Snerd said:
recommendation is to confirm the official medication accpetable timelines with DODMERB directly for potentially DQing medications like Accutane or an ADHD medication. Sites like University of Kansas Army ROTC official site seem to indicate that accutane being stopped for a shorter window, and ADHD medication being stopped for one year are sufficient. But that's not DODMERB, not an official medical source - go confirm this one directly. Of course, here in May of 2024, your stoppage date for ADHD would need to be in the past, and as others noted the date you were last prescribed/ filled a prescription are details you won't be able to hide.

If you'd prefer a later date than being awarded the scholarship in the first round, since with a 1590 and if also with rock star grades, an athlete/ scholar/ leader then your DD might be among the walk on water folks, then why not delay your application filing until closer to the must-file-by deadline so you avoid that problem- will the extra months help you with your stopped-medication window, exactly? if not, then I agree with other posters that filing early allows more time for AMI additional medical information and a waiver to potentially be adjudicated. Are you going for Army, which does give some 4 years in the first board?

Last comment - some people are dependent on medications that 'burn-in'. If your DD needs ADHD medication, then continue on it, and find other ways to serve outside of the armed forces. Don't jeopardize your health to pursue this dream (says the very hypocritical man who once stayed up on No-Doze caffeine pills for 60 hours during finals week in college).

Good luck and thanks for your DD's willingness and interest to serve.
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Thank you for your very thoughtful post.

Doesn't the DODMERB waiver just need to be completed by Dec of college freshman year? So in theory one could stop medication today (May 2024), get the exam in early spring 2025 get a waiver passed by Dec 2025?

We are not quite in this scenario with regards to med stoppage but wouldn't even this theoretically work?
 
rotcrnparent said:
Thank you for your very thoughtful post.

Doesn't the DODMERB waiver just need to be completed by Dec of college freshman year? So in theory one could stop medication today (May 2024), get the exam in early spring 2025 get a waiver passed by Dec 2025?

We are not quite in this scenario with regards to med stoppage but wouldn't even this theoretically work?
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I do not believe your scholarship will activate until any DQ is waived. I believe you need to meet all standards, pass a PRT, and had to have previously passed a DODMERB series of exams (physical, ophthalmic exam.
Do you intend to be awarded a scholarship and use it at college, starting in your first semester? I believe there are some who begin training in ROTC whilst their waiver is being considered. We've seen that - even some who attended Navy NSI while waiver was adjudicated if we believe other posters. Just be aware that is a risk that you may not receive the waiver, and therefore may be on the hook to pay for your first or second semesters at college (the ROTC scholarship won't activate until the waiver is granted among other requirements) and that your path may end if waiver is denied - you won't be able to continue training toward being an officer.

If a medication has to be not in use for 12 months, and it's still in use today in May of 2024, then to my eye that's a pretty tight window for the behemoth cruise ship (doesn't turn around quickly) DODMERB to complete your exam and a waiver review and clear you to start in the fall of 2025. As you said, if you start without the scholarship active, pay for semester 1, maybe the waiver will be in place by December. Or maybe it won't and you'll be out those costs and potentially out your option to serve eventually. That's a lot of unknowns including some details like when is scholarship awarded, when is DODMERB exam window that are only to a partial extent within your control.

Hope that helps and good luck to you.
 
I would make sure this is your child’s decision, too. Bc it’s risky. And you don’t want to have made decisions for THEM that puts THEIR future at risk (ie: no scholarship).

Generally, it’s better to have the most looks at the most boards. Vs gaming the system and ultimate only having one look. You are decreasing the odds of a scholarship, and make sure this is your child’s choice. So they cannot blame you for any outcome.

If your DQ’s are waiverable ones, and are ‘simply’ a time passed requirement…it doesn’t matter when you apply. Once the time passed piece happens, it’s over. Whether you have t applied yet, or have and are in that que.

I don’t see any benefit to waiting. Only potential downfalls. Imo. But down your kiddo this thread. And make sure they are on board with however your child prefers to go forward.
 
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justdoit19 said:
I would make sure this is your child’s decision, too. Bc it’s risky. And you don’t want to have made decisions for THEM that puts THEIR future at risk (ie: no scholarship).

Generally, it’s better to have the most looks at the most boards. Vs gaming the system and ultimate only having one look. You are decreasing the odds of a scholarship, and make sure this is your child’s choice. So they cannot blame you for any outcome.

If your DQ’s are waiverable ones, and are ‘simply’ a time passed requirement…it doesn’t matter when you apply. Once the time passed piece happens, it’s over. Whether you have t applied yet, or have and are in that que.

I don’t see any benefit to waiting. Only potential downfalls. Imo. But down your kiddo this thread. And make sure they are on board with however your child prefers to go forward.
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I'm having trouble following this. Could you please clarify? Thank you!
Let's assume you need to be off meds for 12 months. You get the scholarship at the first board and have the physical at 9 months after the last dose. You are DQ'd and apply for a waiver. Will they grant a waiver pending the next 3 months passing? Is your waiver held in limbo? Or are you just denied? Is there any way to make this work?
 
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