I agree with clarkson, but I will put a different twist on it from keeping them hooked.
IMPO DodMERB is always that variable. After being here for 3+ yrs I don't have enough toes and fingers on my hand, my immediate family's or grandparents, aunts and uncles to say how many I have seen get nailed with a DQ that was unforeseen.
Many are waiverable, but it does create issues re:scholarships. I could see from a ROO's POV that although a candidate did not get a scholarship, but has been cleared by DodMERB that they know this candidate may be one to keep an eye on if they reapply for IS, compared to a walk on where the DodMERB is an unknown.
Nobody wants to address the elephant in the room (no pun intended politically), but the fact is anyone who follows this budget issue knows the DoD will take a hit fiscally in the VERY NEAR future (FY2011-2012). Anyone who follows the economy and rising costs of college also will realize that competition will increase because when you have a DoD budget that is expected to decrease and the economy to remain stagnant, the supply for scholarships will not meet the demand.
Anyone ever associated with the military understands medical waivers. When they need personnel, they are given out like candy at Halloween, when they are at their capacity, waivers disappear. They no longer have to give a waiver for correctable eyesight or allergies.
The key is the word "waiver". As I stated before, I can't tell you how many candidates I have seen on this board that were shocked to realize their child needed a waiver. These candidates had yrly physicals, played athletic sports and never realized they would fail the vision test (FALANT) or that when they were young, and mis-diagnosed with Asthma instead of allergies it would create an issue. Few and I mean few (no offense, but I would say only military parents) are cognizant that what is written in their child's medical records at 8, 10 or 12 will become a player in whether or not they can get a scholarship.
Bullet and I were very cognizant of how much DodMERB played in the system when at the age of 10 are DS said he wanted to be a JAG for the AF. When he was in 10th grade, we started to talk to the docs to make sure his physicals for sports were done DoDMERB, not school. The flight docs even would write DoDMERB cleared.
Reason why? Because you must submit your medical history.
You need to be very proactive when it comes to DodMERB, especially more so in this economy. If there is an issue, be prepared with records.
If my child was going to apply for ROTC or an SA now I would have what is called a long physical done privately. That means everything from their ears to their toes, not sports. If something is found, start the process of specialty docs this way come next yr you will already have back up proof when you need the waiver process, and your scholarship may move faster. It will slow down, but if you have proof of the exams and they meet the DodMERB requirements it will move faster. Additionally, it protects your child medically. Think about all of the sudden you realize your child failed the FALANT (very typical), and never knew that they had this issue. You are helping them, scholarship or no scholarship.
I know I went off topic, but I felt it was needed to understand how much DodMERB impacts the process.
Good luck
