Waiver for MINOR psoriasis?

Hello Everyone,

My younger brother has psoriasis on the tips of this knuckles, the tip of his nose, and a tiny spot on his head. None of these have ever had a history of causing any problems, and all can be treated to look nearly non-existant as long as he remembers to apply handcreme.

He also wants to join Army ROTC (and if that's not possible, he would like to enlist). What would you say his chances of getting a successful waiver are? He has already applied for it and he just needs to get his physical now from MEPS. As his older brother, I am just a little nervous for him, so I was wondering if anyone has had any personal experience with this. I know that Army is very strict with this in general, but I have read that if it was minor sometimes that could pass (and like I said, NO history of issues with this, and he's played varsity sports, lives in new england so climate is always changing, and has never had a bad break out).

Thank you for the help!

puremojo said:

Hello Everyone,

My younger brother has psoriasis on the tips of this knuckles, the tip of his nose, and a tiny spot on his head. None of these have ever had a history of causing any problems, and all can be treated to look nearly non-existant as long as he remembers to apply handcreme.

He also wants to join Army ROTC (and if that's not possible, he would like to enlist). What would you say his chances of getting a successful waiver are? He has already applied for it and he just needs to get his physical now from MEPS. As his older brother, I am just a little nervous for him, so I was wondering if anyone has had any personal experience with this. I know that Army is very strict with this in general, but I have read that if it was minor sometimes that could pass (and like I said, NO history of issues with this, and he's played varsity sports, lives in new england so climate is always changing, and has never had a bad break out).

Thank you for the help!

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I'm curious about one thing, if your brother is applying for ROTC why is he taking a physical at MEPS, is he enlisting?

The physicals for ROTC are done through Dodmerb. Is your brother applying for an Army ROTC Scholarship or is he just joining a battalion at the college he is attending. If he is applying for a scholarship then they will direct him to a Dodmerb doctor where he will have the physical, this will be done if he is awarded the scholarship.

As far as I know if your brother is just joining a ROTC battalion then he won't have a physical until he is contracted.

As far as your main question, psoriasis is a tough one and is usually a cause for disqualification, that does not mean he won't get a waiver, it just means that one will probably be required. There is nobody that can tell you the chances of getting a waiver, he will just have to go through the process. The main thing is to tell the truth on the medical history form, they will find out later and if he lies on the form it will not turn out well, I assume he knows this already.

Still curious about the MEPS physical, is he joining the reserves and planning on doing ROTC through the SMP program?

Good luck to him.

Thanks!

Yes he was thinking about it, that's why hes going to MEPS, but he's not sure if he will take it.

Do you think that if MEPS rejects him, should he still do ROTC and give it a shot again when he's ready to get contracted? He won't have a scholarship during ROTC, not sure if that matters.