AFROTC - Waiver Peanuts/Asthma

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blenderboy

5-Year Member
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Mar 30, 2014
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Hello all. I was fortunate enough to recently receive an AFROTC scholarship at college. I was also unfortunately DQ'd by DoDMerb (as expected), for a peanut allergy and asthma. Both of which do not hinder my physical performance. As of now, my portal says I am "pending a waiver." Here my questions:

1. Should I let my commander know and ask for him to submit a waiver for me? I realize that ROTC scholarship cadets are supposed to go through the waiver process automatically.

2. Will the Air Force take into consideration my job in the Air Force? I plan on becoming an engineer and truthfully do not think I will be put into environments that risk my health.

3. Do my grades and PT scores (97.9% PFA) have a big influence on my waiver?

4. What do I need to do to prepare for the waiver process?

These are only some of my questions and I may have more in the future. Thank you for your responses in advance.
 
The thing to understand is that DQs are not just about how it impacts your ability to serve, but also how it impacts those that serve with you. I.E. can you be deployed....yes, desk jockeys get deployed to the sandbox and places like Korea.

You should tell your CoC, my guess is they already have been informed, but still it is something you should do too.

They will request the waiver, and it will probably include other doctor appointments, plus submitting medical history paperwork from your personal docs.

You just have to go through the process because every waiver is different even if the diagnosis is the same. Mainly due to the severity of the condition. I.E. allergic to hazelnuts only is different than allergic to peanuts where you can go into anaphalatic shock by eating one peanut by accident.
 
I understand your waiver will automatically be considered/acted upon. I also believe current peanut and asthma problems will be quite a hurdle to overcome. I'm sorry if that is a bucket of cold water. In a remote and/or combat area the military will not want to be dealing with dietary restrictions or be distracted by an asthma problem aggravated by some local allergen or air pollution.
I believe your job aspirations will not influence the decision at all, nor will your PT score. Regards preparing, have copies of your medical history available to send if they are requested. I would anticipate being asked to submit any additional information that has not already been submitted. They mean medical information, not your mother's testimonial.
While you are waiting for the waiver decision, work on your plan B.
 
Thank you for the responses. I do have a plan B.

This process is some what daunting and its hard to see what good could come out of waiting and waiting when the chances are very slim. I have let my CoC know and am now just sitting around til further notice.
 
The fact is they won't contract you until the fall anyways so the length of time it takes to go through it, doesn't matter since it will still be completed before the fall.

Yes, it can be frustrating, but so will next year as you await your SFT/EA results, and the year after that for AFSC board results, and the year after that as you start your AF career.

The joke hurry up and wait exists because it will be your life.

Unfortunately, you just have to get use to it.

OBTW, there are many cadets that have Peanut allergies and many that have asthma too. It is like I said, it is case by case and the severity. Do you need an epi pen? Can you eat food cooked in peanut oil? Thoseare things that will be placed into the equation. Just like for asthma they probably will request a spiromometry exam. Just because you can run the 1 1/2 mile within the time frame doesn't mean that your airways are performing to the AF STDs.
 
Pima said:
The fact is they won't contract you until the fall anyways so the length of time it takes to go through it, doesn't matter since it will still be completed before the fall.

Yes, it can be frustrating, but so will next year as you await your SFT/EA results, and the year after that for AFSC board results, and the year after that as you start your AF career.

The joke hurry up and wait exists because it will be your life.

Unfortunately, you just have to get use to it.

OBTW, there are many cadets that have Peanut allergies and many that have asthma too. It is like I said, it is case by case and the severity. Do you need an epi pen? Can you eat food cooked in peanut oil? Thoseare things that will be placed into the equation. Just like for asthma they probably will request a spiromometry exam. Just because you can run the 1 1/2 mile within the time frame doesn't mean that your airways are performing to the AF STDs.
Click to expand...

I can eat food cooked in peanut oil. Would this have much of an effect in my waiver and how should I let them know?

Also, would the Air Force accept treatment plans that show results? Seeing that I improve in these areas with treatment and time, would that be acceptable to them?
 
I do not sit on any boards, and do not feel comfortable giving an answer. As I said before, you are just going to have to buckle up and hold on for the ride.

I am not saying you won't get a waiver, but also remember that the AF has to cut personnel for the next five years, and although you do not intend to go rated, the AF maybe jokingly called the CHAIR Force, it really is looking at sticking with their mission which is Air.
 
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