DoDMERB NROTC Possible Misunderstanding

Chadwick

5-Year Member
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Feb 15, 2013
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I am a senior in high school this year and have been in the Naval ROTC Scholarship process. A few weeks ago I found out I received a 4-year full tuition scholarship to Oregon State University. As excited as I was, I've heard awful things about the DoDMERB process and them wrongly diagnosing. Yesterday (2/15/2013) I had my medical appointment to finish all my appointments, but I have some concerns about what I submitted. I've read many blogs on this website but haven't quite found my situation.

1) I selected "yes" for Allergies even though I have an extremely mild case of plant pollen allergies. Only when the pollen-air count is really high I get runny a nose (I might take some OTC Alavert - which I said no more than about 2 weeks within a year). My dad brought up the point that as selective as DoDMERB can be, they might get suspicious and question whether I have Hay fever or something similar - which I DO NOT- because I mentioned something that didn't really need to be.

2) I said I have a single, 1 inch scar going across my wrist. This came about with me being stupid opening a UPS package - containing Flight Sim X/ navy add-on of all things - with a butchers knife about 4-5 years ago :/ (not the best of decisions). Do you think they would start to think I cut myself and raise suspicion with that?

3) My urine sample tested positive only because it was too dark with high protein levels. I didn't hydrate like I should of that day which is the reason. Is there a chance that they won't let me retake it to test negative?

4) my eyes are pretty bad, but are correctable to 20/20 with glasses. From what I've read, I'll have to get a waiver for that - which won't really surprise me.

Along with these questions, will me being a selected scholarship recipient help my chances at getting waivers? Thanks so much for whoever answers :)
 
I selected "yes" for Allergies even though I have an extremely mild case of plant pollen allergies. Only when the pollen-air count is really high I get runny a nose (I might take some OTC Alavert - which I said no more than about 2 weeks within a year).

My DS and DD listed allergies and they both received remedial from DoDMERB. Once additional information was provided both were qualified. Hope this helps.

Both received appointments to SA and NROTC.
 
I don't think the scar will be any issue at all. So don't stress about that. My son broke his wrist in gymnastics, and he didn't even need a waiver for that because it happened five years ago. So I seriously doubt they'll question a simple scar.
 
3) My urine sample tested positive only because it was too dark with high protein levels. I didn't hydrate like I should of that day which is the reason. Is there a chance that they won't let me retake it to test negative?

DS took test several times. DoDMERB didn't even flag it until he arrived at the unit.

Go check online. There are several things that cause high protein that are indicative of nothing serious. You mentioned dehydration. Another is recent periods of strenuous exercise. Read up before your next test. Don't make the urine test the first thing you do after waking up.

DS passed after third test.

Best of luck!
 
I can't speak to the other items, but DS had to re-take the urine test because of proteins. In young men especially, proteins in the urine are common with both dehydration and with physical exercise shortly before the sample is given. Unfortunately we just didn't think about it and he had spent all day the day before his first urine test relocating 200 large flagstones by hand in our yard.

We just made sure he took it easy for a couple days before his re-take and he drank plenty of water all day at school to keep hydrated before his test and he passed the second time.
 
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