Christcorp
Reaction score
2,118

Profile posts Latest activity Postings About

  • Mike,
    Thanks as always for your helpful advice. My son sent a letter, along with letters from his coaches to the Director of Admissions on Monday night, and then called first thing on Tuesday morning. He waited all morning and missed classes waiting for a call, but finally went to school. Late in the afternoon, the call came from the Director of Admissions saying that they will review him for a medical waiver. No promises about anything, but at least he still has hope. Now we wait...and pray...and hope that he will be granted the medical waiver and also be offered an appointment. Thanks for your help.
    We will keep you posted. Thank you for everything.
    That is excellent news. Not sure if your MOC made any calls; but a "Principal" nominee usually has some pull. Especially if the MOC is persistent. Either way; the fact that your son is being reviewed for a waiver is definitely a "Success". Make sure your son sees it that way. With thousands of qualified applicants, the most anyone can ask for is a fair chance. He's at least getting that. Congrats. Best of luck. And you will be in our prayers. mike....
    Mike,
    Some (maybe) good news tonight. USAFA called and said my DS would be reviewed for a medical waiver. No promises about the appointment, but he MIGHT be considered. Please remember us in your prayers...Thanks for everything. We will keep you posted on any news. Thanks.
    My son was devastated when he did return from practice. He literally stared at me in total disbelief. Our Congressional district is very competitive. There were 47 students interviewed and he received the Principal Nomination. He has already written a letter to the director of admissions, Mr. Phillip Prosseda, PhD and sent him letters from his doctor (orthopedic surgeon) and letters from his coaches. My son will miss his first class tomorrow to call Mr. Prosseda, his MOC and his ALO. I have to admit that his ALO has had virtually almost no contact with our son. My son has wanted this so much, that it is hard to wrap our heads around this horrible news. I cannot fully comprehend how a Principal Nominee won't even have a chance before the review board. Everyone says that the academies are looking for a "whole person", and my son absolutely fits that description.
    Thanks again.

    We are just so very sad tonight... Thanks for all of your help.
    Unfortunately, I'm not in a position to be able to offer a solution. In the dodmrb forum on this site, there is an individual who works at dodmrb. Maybe he can offer some guidance. Also, being your son received a principal nomination, your MOC must think highly of him. You could call his office and discuss it with him. Moc's have a lot of pull. Sorry to hear, but that's all I really have to offer. Even if it was one of my candidates, that's all I'd be able to offer for advice. Here's praying that maybe those two sources can help. Mike.
    Dear Mike,
    We just got terrible news in the mail. My son just received a letter from Phillip Drew Prosseda, Chief, Selections Division. It says "Regrettably, due to the limited class size and budget constraints, we cannot request waivers on everyone who is medically disqualified. Currently, you are not as competitive as other candidates; therefore, we will not forward a waiver request to the medical authorities..." My son has not yet arrived from basketball practice (and he gave me permission to open the correspondence) and he will be devastated. He is the Principal Nominee from our MOC and he received Principal Alternate to the USNA. Is there anything that we can do?
    I would so appreciate it if my husband and I could call you tonight before my son returns from practice. Thanks...
    You need to talk with admissions. They are the ones that give the waiver. Sounds like the left hand isn't talking to the right hand. Basically, your son should get an LOA. (Letter of Assurance). Not a conditional appointment. An LOA states: "IF" you get "X, Y, Z" complete, then you receive an appointment. Talk to admissions and find out how the medical waiver needs to get approved. EMPHASIZE that your son has a principal nomination and therefor is entitled to an appointment once the waiver is approved. See what they say. If they don't give a good answer, they have a boss. Ask to talk to them. Best of luck. Mike....
    My son has still heard nothing about a conditional appointment yet. He needs that before his file goes to the medical waiver review committee. As a Principal Nominee, with good CFA scores, ASB President, Eagle Scout, Boys' State, varsity football, varsity basketball, church youth group, volunteer hours etc, good grades and good SAT's - is it still possible that he won't get the conditional appointment? I see many others seem to be receiving news, but he hasn't heard anything yet.
    Sorry, but I don't have any idea on how the medical review boards are set up. I'm sure there are some doctors involved. But there's probably also some admission folks who have to look at the big picture. Remember; ANY member who comes into the air force; whether enlisted or officer, has to be physically qualified for ALL jobs. In other words, they don't have levels of qualified. There's a set standard for being medically qualified. Admissions has to determine if a person is medically qualified overall. Not talking pilot qualified. That's separate. Anyway; sounds like you have most of the information. Now you just have to wait it out. Best of luck to you. Mike....
    Dear Mike,
    Well, now our entire family is waiting to hear the news. It seems that at this point, it will be the USAFA medical waiver committee that will decide if my son is accepted or not. Now we simply pray for good news! Do you have any idea how many people sit on that review board, and is it comprised of all doctors? If my son is not approved for that medical waiver, does he have any option left? I am guessing no...
    Thanks for all of your helpful information.
    Best thing is to get Larry, or his successor to tell you what they want. They are DODMRB. They are the ones who make the final decision in which the academies say yes or no to. Good luck. Mike....
    Dear Mike,
    I did contact Larry Mullen, who is the head of DoDMERB, and he sent a list of information about knee injuries etc. He cited several sources which included " the main focus of all waiver decisions is centered on the ability to train, be commissioned, to be world-wide deployable upon graduation... will the condition constitute an undue hazard to the applicant or to others the applicant will be charged in leading...especially under combat..." My son would be willing to be examined by Air Force doctors. Is that ever done? His surgeon has given him a full release for all activities. Any ideas?
    Thanks.
    Have you posted on the DODMRB section of this forum? There is an individual who works for DODMRB who frequents the forum and is very helpful. Go to the main section of this forum where you see air force, army, navy, coast guard, etc... You'll see a section for DODMRB. Give that a try. Let us know. Mike....
    Dear Mike,
    My son contacted his counselor and she said she cannot help at all with the medical waiver. She said that she has nothing to do with this part of the process and offerred him no suggestions at all. I am a bit frustrated because I am not understanding why someone cannot supply information about what the doctors want to see that will convince them that my son's knees are fine. My son's surgeon says he has no restrictions whatsoever, yet DoDMERB hasn' t changed his status from being disqualified.
    Do you have any clout or ideas with the doctors that do the medical review. That letter of his change of status is the only step that will prevent him getting the BFE that he wants to receive. Thanks.
    Sounds like waiting and praying is all you can do. Keep in contact with your academy admissions counselor. Have your son contact them at least weekly. Don't sound like he's badgering them, just wanting information. Best of luck to you. Mike....
    Dear Mike,
    My son was smiling from ear to ear yesterday when he returned from his CFA test. Every score was better than last summer at NASS, and his mile score improved incredibly. All of his hard work has paid off. Problem is although he is the Principal Nominee, he had elective knee surgery (by the top orthopedic surgeon) to correct old sports injuries. The surgery was perfect and so is his recovery. He has full clearance for all activities, and just finished varsity football season (where he received second league offensive tackle) and is now in varsity basketball. He has had no problems at all and his surgeon says there are no restrictions at all for sports or the military academy, but we have to wait to hear about the medical "waiver". It has been very stressful, because this dream is all my son has focused on for such a long time (10 years) and he wants that BFE from the USAFA. Any ideas or suggestions. We are praying for this waiver. Thanks.
    Dear Mike,
    Thanks again for the information. I will keep you posted on my son's hopeful acceptance to the USAFA. Your posts are so helpful that I thought I would mention the idea of you considering writing a book... Every response that you have written has been interesting and quite helpful. I would be one parent who would happily buy a book with all of the amazing wealth of information that you continue to share with us all. THANK YOU.
    Just get the CFA done asap. Then the academy can access the need for a medical waiver. You have to have ALL of your stuff done before they will do anything. basically; they aren't going to waste their time on any candidate who doesn't have their application 100% complete. Best of luck.
    Dear Mike,
    The academy counselor and my son's ALO both explained that the petition for the waiver will not even begin until the CFA scores are entered. My son took the CFA last summer at NASS (Naval Academy Summer Seminar) and did fine. The only score that was weak was his running time. So, the USAFA suggested he re-take the CFA and enter the new scores, with a better running time. Assuming he does fine on the CFA the only thing that should prevent his acceptance is the medical waiver. My son is the Principal Nominee from our MOC. Any other thoughts on the granting of the medical waiver.
    Thanks for all of your help.
  • Loading…
  • Loading…
  • Loading…
Back
Top