Non-Scholarship NROTC - DodMERB DQ?

CHS11111

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Apr 14, 2012
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My DS is determined to be a Marine Officer one way or another. I know I am getting the cart before the horse here, but let's say he is DQ'd by the DoDMERB and does not receive any scholarship --- can he still be a part of an NROTC unit at the college he attends? He wants to prove himself to them in hopes of either a scholarship or a waiver request/commission later on. We don't have our DodMERB results back yet, but am fully expecting a DQ. I know, that may not be the end of the road, but I just want to know if he could even participate in NROTC if not deemed qualifed by the DoDMerb. If it is possible to do this, would it be a route you would suggest? Is it a good idea? Another college that he really loves does not have an NROTC unit - so I am guessing he would choose that school if the NROTC was really not an option for him. Would it be wiser for him to just go to the school he wants and then try for the PLC or OCC? Thanks in advance, as always, for any advice!
 
DODMERB standards are the same for any future officer, whether scholarship or non scholarship, service academy, ROTC, or OCS. If your son is DQ he can request waiver. If his waiver is denied he will not be an Officer. The DODMERB standards are very cut and dried. You either have the condition or you don't. The different service branches will accept risk with some conditions (waive the DQ), but there is no "proving you can still do the job even though you have the condition". If it's a condition that can get better or has a time limit OCS or PLC down the road may be an option.

For Army ROTC anyone can participate the first two years. We have a young lady who is deaf taking our class. It has been explained to her that she will never be an Army Officer and that she will not continue on to her junior year of ROTC, but she is participating and getting the experience. If your son is DQ/waiver denied he may want to see about at least participating if NROTC will let him.
 
Would it be wiser for him to just go to the school he wants and then try for the PLC or OCC?

I am not clear but it seems like your DS was already selected for a scholarship, had his DODMERB exam and you are awaiting the results. Is that correct? I am having a hard time reconcilling the timing with the normal scholarship process as he would have been through all of this and getting ready to head to school by now. Anyway...

In order to be a Marine Officer, he would need a 4 year degree (any major). School selection is important in order to accomplish that goal. If he likes one over the other he should go to the one he thinks he will like and finish at.

Last I checked, more Marine Officers are comissioned via the PLC program than any other. So PLC or OCC are not poor choices. The difference is that one assumes that if they enter the pipeline via ROTC (or Academy) that they are guaranteed a spot where PLC and OCC opportunities can go up or down to balance out the needs of the Marine Corps. I don't think it is that simple because 4 year scholarships are awarded based on the estimated manpower needs 4-5 years out. They may under or over estimate the needs and then use the PLC or OCC programs to even it out. So in any given year, there may be very few scholarships awarded and more PLC spots opened. (I am probably not doing a good job explaining this but I hope it comes through reasonably well)

The final issue is one of DODMERB qualified. I suspect the reality is that a no go there (with no approved waiver) closes the door. You have to pass this exam to be commissioned as an officer.

Hopefully some other posters with more experience in this area can fill in the holes.

Best of luck to your DS.
 
If he is DQ'ed by DODMERB, he could always try to enlist? MEPS would be the deciding factor there, and I've heard some branches are more lenient on waivers depending on the job he wants. So he could still possibly be in the military. Best of luck to him!
 
He has not been offered a scholarship, but is also in the process of applying to 4 service acadamies as well as AFROTC and NROTC. The Merchant Marine Academy app is what triggered the DodMERB physical which he had last week. We are checking daily to see the results. Hopefully that clears up the timing issue! :) We do not have a DQ yet, but have a number of potential DQ &/or Remedial issues.
 
First off, try to stop stressing about "potential DQ &/or Remedial issues". You will be in for a very long and uncomfortable ride if you don't. Wait for DoDMERB to go through their process and take one item at a time. Every SA and branch will have different waiver criterias. Hang on, you and your DS are in for a fun ride. Best of luck. :thumb:
 
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