NROTC Waiver Review Process

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FlyingProud

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Good evening everyone! This is my first time posting; I am a mom of a midshipman entering his freshman year. I believe I get to call my DS that since he just graduated from NSI but please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. He has been in the waiver review process since March and we are waiting to hear if his NROTC scholarship will be activated. Time is not on our side as we are close to a month out from his school start date. I thought we were near the end of the waiver review process because he was asked to provide a statement about his NSI PRT results and completion status (which he passed and graduated) but then I was told today we still needed to hear from BUMED and then another layer in the process (NTSC) which typically takes 14 business days but will likely take additional time due to all the problems with the DoDMERB site. He is registered to attend two universities (our plan B) in case the NROTC scholarship doesn't activate. He is fully committed to serving as a Naval Officer and my heart will break if we have to walk away from this possible opportunity because of the timing. I really wish I knew what the odds were that my DS will be cleared for NROTC as I try to determine if we should commit to the higher tuition this first year and see this waiver review process through or move on to plan B. We chose the less expensive of the NROTC in-state schools but it still is not a financially responsible option for us without the scholarship. I just thought I'd reach out to see if anyone has any words of wisdom or similar experiences to share. Thanks in advance :)
 
OHBUCKEYE said:
Good evening everyone! This is my first time posting; I am a mom of a midshipman entering his freshman year. I believe I get to call my DS that since he just graduated from NSI but please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. He has been in the waiver review process since March and we are waiting to hear if his NROTC scholarship will be activated. Time is not on our side as we are close to a month out from his school start date. I thought we were near the end of the waiver review process because he was asked to provide a statement about his NSI PRT results and completion status (which he passed and graduated) but then I was told today we still needed to hear from BUMED and then another layer in the process (NTSC) which typically takes 14 business days but will likely take additional time due to all the problems with the DoDMERB site. He is registered to attend two universities (our plan B) in case the NROTC scholarship doesn't activate. He is fully committed to serving as a Naval Officer and my heart will break if we have to walk away from this possible opportunity because of the timing. I really wish I knew what the odds were that my DS will be cleared for NROTC as I try to determine if we should commit to the higher tuition this first year and see this waiver review process through or move on to plan B. We chose the less expensive of the NROTC in-state schools but it still is not a financially responsible option for us without the scholarship. I just thought I'd reach out to see if anyone has any words of wisdom or similar experiences to share. Thanks in advance :)
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I recommend posting this on the DoDMERB website, where Mr. Mullen, Deputy Director, DoDMERB, often offers to communicate off line with applicants, even though he does not own the waiver process. He has years of insight and ringside experience as to how things can play out. @MullenLE

One of the usual recommendations here is to always choose a school that is affordable without the scholarship, in case of activation problems or loss of scholarship for various reasons, which happens. Until you know the waiver decision, much is still “in jello.” Your son may want to talk with the preferred college and see if there is any chance at additional aid money, at least for first semester, while he is waiting.
 
Applicant Son.....

APPLICANT: If you’d like, you may send me an email: lawrence.e.mullen.civ@mail.mil; provide complete name and last 4 SSN; provide the text of your Parent's posting above to YOUR email. The subject line of the email should be “OHBUCKEYE- SAF =NROTC Waiver Review Process.“ Do NOT embed links in your email as I will not be able to view those. :wiggle:

 
Thank you Mr. Mullen. You helped him this morning get connected which is how we learned where he was in the process. Should he email you again?
 
Mr. Mullen is the most experienced person on this site (or any other, frankly) when it comes to issues of medical qualifications.

But from what you describe, it sounds as though there was an initial DODMERB determination of either disqualified, or perhaps requiring additional medical information. Part of a waiver review can include a personal statement by the applicant as to how they view their health and ability to perform physical conditioning.

If it is going to BUMED for review, then it travels a little different path. If BUMED recommends waiver approval, it then goes to NSTC for a final decision. I have not known a case in my tenure where BUMED has recommended a waiver and NSTC has disapproved it, but it could happen.

While not a guarantee by any means, if the decision to attend college hinges on the waiver decision, then your son should communicate that quickly to the NROTC unit of his first choice. They can, and usually will put in a call to BUMED and see what can be done. Unfortunately, some waiver decisions require multiple specialists to be consulted, and so it isn't as quick as people want. But if he did well at NSI then that is something in his favor.
 
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