Medical Disqualification

Superfly

5-Year Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2010
Messages
4
A few days ago I broke my collar bone while playing capture the flag. I had already accepted my offer of appointment to the Air Force Academy, and now it is being withdrawn. I understand why I cannot go this year, but I have a question for further years.

My collar bone is broken badly enough to require surgery where the doctor will put a metal plate and two screws in my shoulder. If I chose to pursue another appointment next year, would I be medically disqualified from attending the Academy? and if not, would I be pilot disqualified?

Thanks for any answers
 
Unknown.

At this point, it is likely too early to tell. Larry Mullen would be your best bet, but I doubt even he'll be able to give an answer with any reasonable accuracy at this point.
 
So sorry to hear....but there is hope

First, we're so sorry Superfly, that has to be very disappointing. However, on a positive note, our son broke his collarbone in February of his senior year in high school. We agonized for a few days wondering whether or not to have surgery and whether a plate may disqualify him permanently. We contacted Mr Mullen, who assured us a plate is not disqualifying as long as a doctor eventually gives a full release to perform the rigors of basic cadet training. Surgery was around March 1, his release from a doctor occurred around May 10, and his Dodmerb release came within a week of that. A caveat is that every situation is different so results for anyone else can be different. Good luck, let the Academy know you want to come back next year, and get your shoulder back in shape.
 
Medical Waiver

My daughter had the same situation. LOA in mid Jan, Collarbone break in late Jan, LOA rescinded in late Feb after notification. Medical doctor gives "Release for full military activity without restrictions" Late May. Reinstated LOA June 2nd. Still going strong at the academy. The Key was "unrestricted approval" from our local Orthopedic Surgeon. They have more weight than the DODMERB medical reviewers.
 
Contact Mr. Mullen right away! he's good and his advice is sound.

- - - - -

That said, you still have time, as noted by the above examples.

Good luck! (and so sorry!)
 
Most of this thread is from 2011. Someone gave an old thread new life. Not sure of the reason.
 
Most of this thread is from 2011. Someone gave an old thread new life. Not sure of the reason.

Mr. Mullen is retired. I DID try to alert all others that this was an OLD thread that someone revived from its' resting place.......
 
Go ahead, pick on an old lady's tired brain. As soon as I wrote that, I did remember he'd retired.

Maybe he'll come out of retirement so I don't look so sheepish.
 
Mr mullens replacement

Does anyone know who took Larry Mullens position that could help us pursue a medical waiver that has been denied?
 
I believe I have seen the name Joe Papp on theDodMerb section of this forum recently. I do not, however, know if he has the same position as Larry Mullen had. A denied waiver comes from the Academy not DodMerb, they only qualify or disqualify, Academies puts through the waivers. You might try posting your questions in the DodMerb section of this forum, you will be more likely to find the answers there. Better yet, call DodMerb, they may be able to answer them directly.
 
Does anyone know who took Larry Mullens position that could help us pursue a medical waiver that has been denied?

As has been said before, Mr. Mullen no longer active on these forums. You should direct specific questions directly to DoDMERB at helpdesk@dodmerb.tma.osd.mil . People on these forums (myself included) have the best of intentions, but DoDMERB is the only resource with the actual answers. kdc246 is correct that waivers reside in the purview of the Academy while qualification is where DoDMERB comes in.
 
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