Medical Examination nerves?

N

navylifeforme

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Mar 31, 2018
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So, I was just wondering how in depth the examination was? I’m applying for class of 2023 and Dodmerb just contacted me. Thanks!
 
One thing to consider is that you may have to have a parent present at the exam.
My DS made his appointment last year and drove across town to be there.
That's when they told him that he was a minor (he was) and that he needed a parent there.
I left work and drove across town, just to sit in the waiting room for two hours.
I didn't have to sign anything and it was a complete waste of time, but by golly he had his exam! ;)

If you're not 18 years old yet - ask the Doctor's office up front - if you need a parent there with you.
 
The exam itself is not detailed. Largely it is a document review and the document being reviewed is the history you completed.

If you have an extensive and/or complicated medical history you will have a lot of questions to answer. Not that you won’t pass - but they are bumps or potentially high walls to overcome

If you have been injured in the past an important question to answer will be can you demonstrate you are completely healed with no limitations.

DD had broken her foot before her junior year. After 4 weeks in a boot she returned to competitive athletics with no issues - she recorded an incident and had a history of being recovered which is what DoDMerb cared about
 
I should clarify that the two hours I waited in the waiting room was mostly with my DS, as well.
When they finally got around to giving him the exam, they had him in and out in 30 minutes. There is a vision and hearing test included in that, too.

So don't stress about it. :)
 
DS broke his arm skiing 3 years ago. Fully disclosed on the questionnaire and orthopedic follow-up questions. We’ve assembled copies of his ortho doctor reports and all x-rays (before and after). Should he bring this documentation to the exam?
 
Unless you are trying to hide some existing/unreported medical condition, which is unlikely for someone in h.s., the exam is nothing to stress about. As mentioned above and in several prior threads, the exam is not nearly as extensive as in the past and is now mostly a paperwork review.
 
ders_dad said:
DS broke his arm skiing 3 years ago. Fully disclosed on the questionnaire and orthopedic follow-up questions. We’ve assembled copies of his ortho doctor reports and all x-rays (before and after). Should he bring this documentation to the exam?
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You could. It could come up, or not, in the exam.
If it does, he can say "Yes, I have copies of those reports and x-rays right here".
 
ders_dad said:
DS broke his arm skiing 3 years ago. Fully disclosed on the questionnaire and orthopedic follow-up questions. We’ve assembled copies of his ortho doctor reports and all x-rays (before and after). Should he bring this documentation to the exam?
Click to expand...

My DS broke his collar bone/s three times in his life! Fully disclosed and answered the ortho follow up questions. I requested all records b/c I felt sure they would be asked for, but nope. No remedial or anything regarding them.
 
My DS was 17 at the time of his exam, I asked him did you ask if I need to be there. He said um no. So I called, and they said no I did not - but the lady told me how professional my DS had been in scheduling - proud moment :) - Also, for those of you asking about surgeries. My DS broke his femur and had a titanium rod in his leg all was noted on the paperwork, the Dr never even asked him about it during his exam. He did have to do a remedial through DOBMERB and send in all paperwork related to the surgery (Surgeon notes) and all Xrays (transcribed) and a full release from his surgeon and Dr and Physical Therapy. I had to obtain in one day driving everywhere and begging. If you have had surgeries, start obtaining your paperwork now, it will make things easier on you later
 
FYI. DS scheduled his exam this morning and was told parent had to accompany because he was under 18 - so, it must be hit and miss.

Will examiner receive surgery paperwork for remedial or will we have to send in if remedial is requested (and I apologize for asking because this has probably been well-addressed in the DoDMERB forum)?
 
The physical exam place and eye doctor wouldn't let my daughter schedule her exams because she is 17yo. We decided to do it via speaker phone so I can schedule on behalf of my daughter while she was sitting next to me.

And then the lady at the eye doctor's office didn't know what type of exam we needed. She ended up taking my insurance info even though I told her this isn't coming out of my insurance. She then tells me my daughter needs a referral to be seen. Keeping myself as calm as possible, I went over again what my daughter is trying to do. Eye exam as part of the DODMERB exam didn't click with her. After going back and forth for a minute, she finally said, "Oh! Your daughter needs a military eye exam. Why did you say you're on Tricare?" (because you asked what insurance I'm on!!!). Smh.
 
GoCubbies said:
And then the lady at the eye doctor's office didn't know what type of exam we needed
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Have to be patient -- DODMERB is contracted out, and like anything that is contracted out, your experience may vary. I would suspect that most providers make an effort to do things correctly, because government contracts can be lucrative.

As to OP -- your Physical Exam is nothing to stress out about. There is nothing to prepare for. My advice is similar to that I give clients going into depositions. Listen to the question, ask the question, and tell the truth. Don't answer the question that you think the Dr should be asking, but the exactly what is asked. Also, don't volunteer information and don't overthink things. Most candidates are young, healthy kids - perhaps with a few bumps, bruises, and broken bones along the way. Don't worry about those things -- as long as they were treated and you are in good working order, you should be fine.
 
ders_dad said:
Will examiner receive surgery paperwork for remedial or will we have to send in if remedial is requested (and I apologize for asking because this has probably been well-addressed in the DoDMERB forum)?
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The examiner will do a basic exam of your DS/DD and then (at least in the case of my DS) conduct a thorough review of the DoDMERB questionnaire. The examiner will make notes on the questionnaire and in some cases clarify some of your answers as either being an issue or non-issue. Then the forms are sent to DoDMERB and you will either move to qualified, remedial, or DQ.

I was convinced that my DS was going to need a remedial for a congenital rib condition he was evaluated for as a 12 year old, but in our case, the doctor quizzed my wife about it, noted that his current condition was well within normal range. The doc then looked my DS straight in the eye and asked him some questions about why he wanted to serve as an officer. He answered her and then the doc said, "well we had better clarify some of these answers you gave."

Whatever the doc wrote, worked as he passed DoDMERB without any remedial (except for an easy peasy orthodontia questionnaire).

I think my DS won the "great DoDMERB doc" lottery that day.

Advice: Over-answering the questions or going off on speculative tangents on the form can be a form of self sabotage.

Bottom line. Answer the DoDMERB questions truthfully and directly, no more and no less.
 
AROTC-dad said:
Advice: Over-answering the questions or going off on speculative tangents on the form can be a form of self sabotage.

Bottom line. Answer the DoDMERB questions truthfully and directly, no more and no less.
Click to expand...
When I applied to USNA in the early 70's, my dad had been in the Navy/Navy Reserve for over 30 years and he took one look at the forms that I was filling out and told me in no uncertain terms (as a Chief is hardwired to do) that I was screwing it up and provided remedial on the spot corrections. Things like "Hay Fever" and "Allergy to tomatoes" that I was filling in were self diagnosed/observed and had no confirming physician diagnosis/treatment. In the end, we reported a couple of broken bones and stitches/laceration scars. The exam said my blood pressure was borderline high and I had to be checked a couple of times per day for a week by a Corpsman at a local Reserve Center to get that one cleared.
 
Is restriction of physical activity still needed or is the urine test out? My son had his exam 2 years ago and he had the urine test when many didn’t. Son 3 was ordered the exam yesterday by AFA and USNA. He’s at SLCDA next week and has a week before football 2 a days. Any insight?
 
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