Who to Contact

[paperplaneenthusiast]

Hello,

I have searched the forum up and down for an answer to this question, but unfortunately to no avail. Please forgive me if there is already a separate thread with an answer, and if I could be directed to said thread, I would appreciate it.

In light of my upcoming application process for the service academies, I have been careful to question any treatments suggested by my doctor that could potentially medically disqualify me for the academies. However, a certain medical issue is coming to the point where I must make a decision as to whether or not I will pursue a given treatment, but I would like to be completely certain that the treatment will not DQ me. Is there any number/email/person I can contact to direct anonymous questions in order to obtain an answer on whether or not my given issue/treatment is disqualifying?

Thank you in advance for any help I may receive!

 

[FalconsRock]

PPE, I am not sure where you can get the information you are asking for, but IMO if you need treatment for a medical issue you should seek treatment regardless of whether or not it will DQ you for a SA. If you do not seek treatment and your condition worsens you will be behind the curve ball. And if you try to "hide" a medical condition by not mentioning it and it comes up later it may bite you hard. I hope you will consider your health first over an appointment; without that, you really cannot do well anywhere, or your path can be more difficult.

 

[AROTC-dad]

Here is the website of Dr./CAPT Glenn Merchant who used to be a Director of DoDMERB and a retired Navy Physician and Marine pilot.
He now does private consulting for folks interested in the SA's and the DoDMERB process. He might be able to give you a quick answer.

http://www.dodmerbconsultants.com/about-us/meet-the-director

 

[paperplaneenthusiast]

PPE, I am not sure where you can get the information you are asking for, but IMO if you need treatment for a medical issue you should seek treatment regardless of whether or not it will DQ you for a SA. If you do not seek treatment and your condition worsens you will be behind the curve ball. And if you try to "hide" a medical condition by not mentioning it and it comes up later it may bite you hard. I hope you will consider your health first over an appointment; without that, you really cannot do well anywhere, or your path can be more difficult.

I appreciate your concern, however you can rest assured that I am making my health my number one priority. The issue is not life threatening, and in all seriousness has little chance of escalating to a dangerous extent. I am also being very upfront with my physician about the issue. There are simply various treatment routes I can take, and I would rather educate myself on the implications of each treatment in regards to the DoDMERB in case one treatment option would be a better choice than the other. I am fully aware that appointment should come second to my well being, but if there is any way I can avoid shooting myself in the foot medically, I would rather pursue that route.

 

[paperplaneenthusiast]

Here is the website of Dr./CAPT Glenn Merchant who used to be a Director of DoDMERB and a retired Navy Physician and Marine pilot.
He now does private consulting for folks interested in the SA's and the DoDMERB process. He might be able to give you a quick answer.

http://www.dodmerbconsultants.com/about-us/meet-the-director

Thank you! I will make sure to look into this, and I appreciate your help.