Complete but medically disqualified USAFA

Tgrmom

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Hello! I have searched the forum but have yet to find a crystal clear answer on this...
My DS was DQ’d by DodMerb for ADD/meds taken after 14 years old. DodMerb site says “Pending Waiver Submission/Review” (Since 25Jan)but USAFA portal says his application is “Complete but Medically Disqualified. “. (Changed today-1Feb)No mention of waiver here. Does this mean that no waiver will be applied for and he is done for this round with USAFA?
We expected this - found out about requirement (no meds and showing academic success) at SA event the fall of his junior year. He stopped taking meds (under supervion of MD) and his grades are great 3.86 unweighted and heavy on honors/AP classes, made a 35 ACT/1580 SAT/ 5 on AP CalcBC/and was just selected as candidate for US Presidential Scholar. All this AFTER he stopped taking meds. We sent in all remedial DodMerb asked for. He is also applying to USNA but portal just refers back to DodMerb .
What steps should he take next?
 
It is my understanding that the service academy will request the waiver if he has received an appointment. My DS received a conditional appointment at another academy, waiting on a waiver.
 
It is my understanding that the service academy will request the waiver if he has received an appointment. My DS received a conditional appointment at another academy, waiting on a waiver.
I understand that they will request a waiver if they feel his file is strong enough, I guess I am asking if having “medically disqualified” with no mention of waiver on his portal means that they chose not to request one. Has anyone had that on their USAFA portal and then had a waiver requested after?
 
I would assume he's still in the running. Technically he is DQ'ed at the moment so the portal saying that wouldn't bother me. You're in it until you get a TWE. When they inform you by letter you are out of the running, then you are out of the running, and not until then.
 
My DS has a DQ, and his portals at DoDMERB and USAFA are the same as your DS. No appointment (yet!). He has a MOC nom as well. But he was notified in December (a month before MOC nom) that USAFA was seeking a waiver. He's submitted all information requested. Compare to USNA where he also has a MOC nom and a "complete pending review" application. He was told by USNA admissions they won't seek a waiver until appointment is made. My assumption is that while USAFA may have asked for a waiver from their respective WAs, neither SA will give the waiver until appointment. But I could be wrong.
 
It is my understanding that the service academy will request the waiver if he has received an appointment. My DS received a conditional appointment at another academy, waiting on a waiver.
I understand that they will request a waiver if they feel his file is strong enough, I guess I am asking if having “medically disqualified” with no mention of waiver on his portal means that they chose not to request one. Has anyone had that on their USAFA portal and then had a waiver requested after?
I had that on my portal, I finished my app October 30th and have been medically DQ’d since September but in early December the waiver authority contacted me. Currently I’m waiting for it to be processed and my portal still reports as “candidate but medically disqualified.”
 
My DS has a DQ, and his portals at DoDMERB and USAFA are the same as your DS. No appointment (yet!). He has a MOC nom as well. But he was notified in December (a month before MOC nom) that USAFA was seeking a waiver. He's submitted all information requested. Compare to USNA where he also has a MOC nom and a "complete pending review" application. He was told by USNA admissions they won't seek a waiver until appointment is made. My assumption is that while USAFA may have asked for a waiver from their respective WAs, neither SA will give the waiver until appointment. But I could be wrong.
So his USAFA portal says “complete but medically disqualified” AND they have def requested a waiver?
 
My DS has a DQ, and his portals at DoDMERB and USAFA are the same as your DS. No appointment (yet!). He has a MOC nom as well. But he was notified in December (a month before MOC nom) that USAFA was seeking a waiver. He's submitted all information requested. Compare to USNA where he also has a MOC nom and a "complete pending review" application. He was told by USNA admissions they won't seek a waiver until appointment is made. My assumption is that while USAFA may have asked for a waiver from their respective WAs, neither SA will give the waiver until appointment. But I could be wrong.
So his USAFA portal says “complete but medically disqualified” AND they have def requested a waiver?
Yes. He received a letter in December notifying him USAFA was requesting a waiver. And he received a letter from DODMERB stating the WA wanted more information.
 
Maybe someone here can answer my question. I am currently a junior in high school wanting to attend one of the academies, more than likely Air Force Academy. I have a strong resume, extracurricular activities and strong grades. As a child I was diagnosed with ADHD but after my freshman year, when I was 15, I stopped taking the medication and I have not been prescribed or had it refilled since then. I can easily demonstrate this and show that I have not taken the medication in over 2 years. Does this mean that I still have to get a waiver or does this mean that I do not?
 
Maybe someone here can answer my question. I am currently a junior in high school wanting to attend one of the academies, more than likely Air Force Academy. I have a strong resume, extracurricular activities and strong grades. As a child I was diagnosed with ADHD but after my freshman year, when I was 15, I stopped taking the medication and I have not been prescribed or had it refilled since then. I can easily demonstrate this and show that I have not taken the medication in over 2 years. Does this mean that I still have to get a waiver or does this mean that I do not?

It could be remedial ... you will have to prove to them you dont have it or aren’t taking medicine. A process ... but could avoid need for waiver.
 
I'm in the same boat here. Right shoulder injury, surgically fixed 6 months later, 10 months after that I'm an award winning athlete in my school. I've been “Complete but Medically Disqualified" with a congressional nom since November, just a waiting game.
 
Hello! I have searched the forum but have yet to find a crystal clear answer on this...
My DS was DQ’d by DodMerb for ADD/meds taken after 14 years old. DodMerb site says “Pending Waiver Submission/Review” (Since 25Jan)but USAFA portal says his application is “Complete but Medically Disqualified. “. (Changed today-1Feb)No mention of waiver here. Does this mean that no waiver will be applied for and he is done for this round with USAFA?
We expected this - found out about requirement (no meds and showing academic success) at SA event the fall of his junior year. He stopped taking meds (under supervion of MD) and his grades are great 3.86 unweighted and heavy on honors/AP classes, made a 35 ACT/1580 SAT/ 5 on AP CalcBC/and was just selected as candidate for US Presidential Scholar. All this AFTER he stopped taking meds. We sent in all remedial DodMerb asked for. He is also applying to USNA but portal just refers back to DodMerb .
What steps should he take next?

Tgrmom

I understand that this is a very stressful time for you and your son. That being said nobody on this forum will be able to really set your heart at ease. Nobody knows exactly what your son's condition is or exactly what USAFA's rules regarding waivers are. It is amazing that he is smart and successful but keep in mind the Service Academies are in the business of creating officers mentally and PHYSICALLY qualified for duty. I agree that he is not "out of the running", however, you have to resign yourself to the fact that you and your son have little if any control of the situation and bugging the already swamped admin office will achieve little. It is completely up to the Academy to decide if they want to pursue a waiver. Unfortunately, not everyone receives a waiver due to monetary constraints. All this being said I sincerely think your son will get a waiver requested eventually, the scores he has are quite impressive and merit a good look by the academy. I wouldn't worry too much.

P.S. I am talking from experience, a football injury disqualified me from the USAFA, USNA, and NROTC. I had to bit my nails while I waited for them to request waivers for me. Thankfully it happened. FYI the things I just told you were told to me by both my BGO and USAFA liaison officer while I waited.
 
My DS has a DQ, and his portals at DoDMERB and USAFA are the same as your DS. No appointment (yet!). He has a MOC nom as well. But he was notified in December (a month before MOC nom) that USAFA was seeking a waiver. He's submitted all information requested. Compare to USNA where he also has a MOC nom and a "complete pending review" application. He was told by USNA admissions they won't seek a waiver until appointment is made. My assumption is that while USAFA may have asked for a waiver from their respective WAs, neither SA will give the waiver until appointment. But I could be wrong.
Do you happen to remember how long it was after the DQ that he received notice of of the waiver? Thanks.
 
I'm in the same boat here. Right shoulder injury, surgically fixed 6 months later, 10 months after that I'm an award winning athlete in my school. I've been “Complete but Medically Disqualified" with a congressional nom since November, just a waiting game.

Thank you so much for your response, but how exactly do I go about this process? Do you do this through the DODMERB?
 
Hello! I have searched the forum but have yet to find a crystal clear answer on this...
My DS was DQ’d by DodMerb for ADD/meds taken after 14 years old. DodMerb site says “Pending Waiver Submission/Review” (Since 25Jan)but USAFA portal says his application is “Complete but Medically Disqualified. “. (Changed today-1Feb)No mention of waiver here. Does this mean that no waiver will be applied for and he is done for this round with USAFA?
We expected this - found out about requirement (no meds and showing academic success) at SA event the fall of his junior year. He stopped taking meds (under supervion of MD) and his grades are great 3.86 unweighted and heavy on honors/AP classes, made a 35 ACT/1580 SAT/ 5 on AP CalcBC/and was just selected as candidate for US Presidential Scholar. All this AFTER he stopped taking meds. We sent in all remedial DodMerb asked for. He is also applying to USNA but portal just refers back to DodMerb .
What steps should he take next?

Tgrmom

I understand that this is a very stressful time for you and your son. That being said nobody on this forum will be able to really set your heart at ease. Nobody knows exactly what your son's condition is or exactly what USAFA's rules regarding waivers are. It is amazing that he is smart and successful but keep in mind the Service Academies are in the business of creating officers mentally and PHYSICALLY qualified for duty. I agree that he is not "out of the running", however, you have to resign yourself to the fact that you and your son have little if any control of the situation and bugging the already swamped admin office will achieve little. It is completely up to the Academy to decide if they want to pursue a waiver. Unfortunately, not everyone receives a waiver due to monetary constraints. All this being said I sincerely think your son will get a waiver requested eventually, the scores he has are quite impressive and merit a good look by the academy. I wouldn't worry too much.

P.S. I am talking from experience, a football injury disqualified me from the USAFA, USNA, and NROTC. I had to bit my nails while I waited for them to request waivers for me. Thankfully it happened. FYI the things I just told you were told to me by both my BGO and USAFA liaison officer while I waited.
Waiver request showed up in USAFA portal this am!!!
 
Thank you so much for your response, but how exactly do I go about this process? Do you do this through the DODMERB?

Yes. When it's time for you to apply, you will go through the DODMERB process like all candidates. You will be informed if you need to submit additional documentation or take further steps.
 
My DS has a DQ, and his portals at DoDMERB and USAFA are the same as your DS. No appointment (yet!). He has a MOC nom as well. But he was notified in December (a month before MOC nom) that USAFA was seeking a waiver. He's submitted all information requested. Compare to USNA where he also has a MOC nom and a "complete pending review" application. He was told by USNA admissions they won't seek a waiver until appointment is made. My assumption is that while USAFA may have asked for a waiver from their respective WAs, neither SA will give the waiver until appointment. But I could be wrong.
Do you happen to remember how long it was after the DQ that he received notice of of the waiver? Thanks.
DS received his DQ notice in early December and about 2 weeks later he was notified the USAFA was seeking a waiver. He has responded to all requests for information. He is now waiting to see if the waiver will be granted. He is also waiting to see whether the USNA will seek and then grant a waiver.
 
I'm in the same boat here. Right shoulder Labral Tear freshman year, surgically fixed 6 months later, 10 months after that district champion swimmer. I've been “Complete but Medically Disqualified" with a congressional nom since November, just a waiting game.

Thank you so much for your response, but how exactly do I go about this process? Do you do this through the DODMERB?
Your name is entered into the DODMERB/METS system after you complete a certain number of forms on the application (CFA, Activities Record, Personal Data Record, etc). From there you'll schedule your medical exam, the exam data (once completed) goes to DODMERB where the head physicians pick apart the data looking for anything that might be of concern (heart issues, dislocations, ADD, ADHD) https://dodmerb.tricare.osd.mil/DisqualificationCodes.aspx
 
I have read here that ROTC rules are different than SA rules for waivers so ROTC may be another path to officer.
 
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