USAFA WAIVER REQUEST SHELLFISH

I am a candidate to 4 of the 5 academies and was given a principal nom. to USAFA. This being said I have a shellfish allergy. USAFA has requested a wavier on my behalf but all I'm seeing is bad news saying that a vast majority of the time candidates who attempt to receive a wavier for USAFA and a shellfish allergy will not receive the wavier. I was given an epi-pen after test from my Dr. but I have never had symptoms more than a few bumps on my lips and a somewhat itchy mouth. Never faced problem with breathing or anything of that sort. Given this information is there anyone who may know what DodMerbs decision will be for my wavier.

No one here will be able to give you a definitive answer. The fact that USAFA has requested a waver is a good sign. DODMERB is not the authority to grant the waver, they only gather the information. That authority is with the Academy Command Surgeon.

I am sure you have already read this from http://www.academyadmissions.com/admissions/the-application-process/medical-evaluation/:
Medical Waivers
There is no need for you to request a medical waiver. If you are competitive for an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy or one of our preparatory programs, we will automatically process a medical waiver for USAFA on your behalf.

You will be notified directly by DODMERB if there are any additional requirements, tests, or evaluations for the waiver process. DODMERB may request additional tests or evaluations to support your waiver. These may be obtained at a military facility at no cost to you or at a civilian facility at your cost. Please keep in mind that DODMERB is working on your and our behalf to acquire the medical waiver and that DODMERB is not the waiver authority.

The Academy Command Surgeon (not affiliated with DODMERB) may grant a limited number of medical waivers and they will notify you of the final waiver decision.

Considering the wavier process was started a month ago and I sent DODmerb the information requested about 3 weeks ago is there a time frame I should be expecting this is or is there not really a pattern to it

It is great that USAFA Admissions put you forward for the waiver. Speaks well of your record.

Each medical waiver case is different; however, you are correct that history indicates that the USAFA docs seem to be the most strict when it comes to food allergies. (That was our experience last year. DS was denied a waiver by USAFA docs for a tree nut allergy (pistachios). He had had a minor reaction (itchy rash) as a young child.)

What did you submit for your remedial? DS had to send any previous medical records and do a blood test. USAFA denied his waiver based on his IgE levels (they appeared very low to this layman). It all took about 4-5 weeks from DQ, waiver request, remedial, determination; however, each case timeline can be different based on complexity and medical staff work load.

If the waiver is denied by USAFA, it does NOT mean you will be denied by the other waiver authorities. Our DS received a medical waiver from US Army Cadet Command for his 4 yr AROTC scholarship.

Sincere best wishes and let us know.

DS waiver for food allergies took 90 days from waiver request to waiver being granted. This was for AROTC. Good luck.

Received the Wavier! Is that good news towards a possible appointment!?

That is AWESOME!!!!! IMHO that is great news towards a possible appointment!

Just goes to show each case is different.

That is indeed very good news. They must think very highly of you to seek and grant a waiver like this for you. Good luck moving forward.

DD received her approval for her Waiver this am (Medical Waiver Manager actually emailed her specifically)...Her portal and DoDMerb have not changed yet but I imagine that probably will happen over the day.

Hurray!