60% of Dodmerb applicants do not pass?

[mab]

A recent poster stated that "At a very well done event my son and I attended, the upfront reps were absolutely awesome in answering direct questions. They said 60% of the applicants can’t clear DODMERB even with waivers."
Can anyone weigh in as to whether this is accurate? Only 40% pass?

 

[A1Janitor]

I don’t know that answer - I assume it is accurate if the rep said it.

I always thought 40% were 3q out of total applications - and the 60% were either medically disqualified, didn’t pass the CFA, weren’t academically eligible, didn’t complete the application, or didn’t get the nom.

Of the medically dq’d - many didn’t have the waiver process initiated.

 

[Texark147]

Remember that a lot of candidates aren't issued a waiver because the Academies decide they won't have a spot in the current class even if issued a waiver.

 

[Old Navy BGO]

I assume it is accurate if the rep said it.

What event ? What reps ? I always question the source (and DW hates that !).

That said, it has been widely reported that an alarmingly high percentage of today's military age youth are not physically qualified to serve. (I just saw one report >70%). I would expect that most of those applying for Service Academies are realistic in their expectations and at least think they will pass before applying. As a BGO, all we see is the Medical Q or Not Q, and don't get into reasons or waivers, but my observation over the years is the pass rate is well above 40% (perhaps even double that). There are however, some that don't understand that the Service Academies are first and foremost an Officer accession source, and that you have to be physically qualified to serve as an officer to attend.

 

[A1Janitor]

What event ? What reps ? I always question the source (and DW hates that !).

That said, it has been widely reported that an alarmingly high percentage of today's military age youth are not physically qualified to serve. (I just saw one report >70%). I would expect that most of those applying for Service Academies are realistic in their expectations and at least think they will pass before applying. As a BGO, all we see is the Medical Q or Not Q, and don't get into reasons or waivers, but my observation over the years is the pass rate is well above 40% (perhaps even double that). There are however, some that don't understand that the Service Academies are first and foremost an Officer accession source, and that you have to be physically qualified to serve as an officer to attend.

I was being diplomatic. I don’t think it is true.

I would trust your words over anonymous sources all day long.

 

[VelveteenR]

Per https://www.army.mil/article/262936/pre_enlistment_course_helps_turn_recruits_into_soldiers:

Only 23% of Americans ages 17-24 qualify to serve without a medical waiver, down from 29% in recent years.

 

[OldRetSWO]

What event ? What reps ? I always question the source (and DW hates that !).

That said, it has been widely reported that an alarmingly high percentage of today's military age youth are not physically qualified to serve. (I just saw one report >70%). I would expect that most of those applying for Service Academies are realistic in their expectations and at least think they will pass before applying. As a BGO, all we see is the Medical Q or Not Q, and don't get into reasons or waivers, but my observation over the years is the pass rate is well above 40% (perhaps even double that). There are however, some that don't understand that the Service Academies are first and foremost an Officer accession source, and that you have to be physically qualified to serve as an officer to attend.

I believe that the oft repeated scare statistic of 70% or so is medical AND OTHER which includes criminal Justice type stuff
as well as cannabis and alcohol use which some (many) of us might not consider a purely medical disqual.

Also, as a BGO, the numbers of non-waiverable med disquals that I've seen is not at all large. They do happen but its nothing
even close to the numbers that are getting thrown around.

 

[USMC8993]

I have to wonder what the % is on the enlisted side is and whether the explosion of veteran benefit payments over the past 20 years has affected how strict entrance qualifications are. All that money comes out the defense budget.

 

[A1Janitor]

Per https://www.army.mil/article/262936/pre_enlistment_course_helps_turn_recruits_into_soldiers:

Sure. But not for candidates who apply to academies I am sure - who know they have to meet CFA qualifications.

 

[justme]

I have to wonder what the % is on the enlisted side is and whether the explosion of veteran benefit payments over the past 20 years has affected how strict entrance qualifications are. All that money comes out the defense budget.

Pretty sure if you have a pulse (or someone can provide one for you), you can pass MEPS at the moment. My non MID passed MEPS, and I would bet my wife that had recruiting numbers not be so desperate, there is no they would have.

 

[A1Janitor]

Pretty sure if you have a pulse (or someone can provide one for you), you can pass MEPS at the moment. My non MID passed MEPS, and I would bet my wife that had recruiting numbers not be so desperate, there is no they would have.

Life or wife?!?

 

[justme]

I would never bet my own life...

 

[Old Navy BGO]

whether the explosion of veteran benefit payments over the past 20 years has affected how strict entrance qualifications are.

There is a an authorized troop level; and services aren't meeting it..so money isn't driving the issue. I don't think the issue is more strict qualification, but rather societal...

 

[hopefulmominva]

I would never bet my own life...

OMG thank you for the afternoon laugh! I so needed it!

 

[justme]

There is a an authorized troop level; and services aren't meeting it..so money isn't driving the issue. I don't think the issue is more strict qualification, but rather societal...

I do think there are a couple of factors that are driving those numbers from a medical qual standpoint.
1) GENESIS. It allows MEPS to see actual medical records and RX records, so no more omitting the Adderall or inhaler.
2) The over diagnosing of ADHD, Asthma, etc to either CYA or appease parents.

Obviously, societal/behavior is a larger component. Less active and more starchy diets are leading to weight dq's. Herbal remedies leading to others.

 

[Small Team Bacsi]

A large % of youngsters are going to have smoked or vaped pot.

A large % of kids are going to be Dx with medical conditions such as adhd that I never heard of as a youth in the 1950s or as a parent in the 1970s. Now, it’s like an everyone gets a medal race, this is now an almost everyone gets a Dx

Of course more people need wavers today.

But the problem the military has as far as numbers is not far to many out of shape kids or
Pot smokers with adhd——it’s a country which by in large no longer wants a military experience for themselves, their kids, their grandkids.

Without a draft we are a country of now servers

The problem is , the vast majority of Americans , who in the worlds of one VP——“have other priorities”

 

[A1Janitor]

A large % of youngsters are going to have smoked or vaped pot.

A large % of kids are going to be Dx with medical conditions such as adhd that I never heard of as a youth in the 1950s or as a parent in the 1970s. Now, it’s like an everyone gets a medal race, this is now an almost everyone gets a Dx

Of course more people need wavers today.

But the problem the military has as far as numbers is not far to many out of shape kids or
Pot smokers with adhd——it’s a country which by in large no longer wants a military experience for themselves, their kids, their grandkids.

Without a draft we are a country of now servers

The problem is , the vast majority of Americans , who in the worlds of one VP——“have other priorities”

Kids around me were getting prescriptions for aderrall and passing them around - apparently they take them before tests. Helps them focus.

Sad.

 

[IronmanDaremo]

And then there's my 16-year old, who if he doesn't have his medication can't stay on task and focus enough to get anything done, especially schoolwork.

It's interesting to watch how proper use of a medication actually has a beneficial part. Ritilan/Concerta/etc. have the opposite effect on him then most people. They actually settle him down and allow him to stay on task. He is night and day when he doesn't remember to take them.

He's obsessed with the Army. Told him he'll never be able to join because of his mental health conditions. He knows that, but still likes to dream.

 

[LKNBrawley]

There is a an authorized troop level; and services aren't meeting it..so money isn't driving the issue. I don't think the issue is more strict qualification, but rather societal...

When I told our friends and family that my son will go to the Naval Academy this fall, they question if that is the right choice for him! I just tell them that we are proud that he chose such an honorable path. Nothing great is ever easy!

 

[Kentucky9]

A large % of youngsters are going to have smoked or vaped pot.

A large % of kids are going to be Dx with medical conditions such as adhd that I never heard of as a youth in the 1950s or as a parent in the 1970s. Now, it’s like an everyone gets a medal race, this is now an almost everyone gets a Dx

Of course more people need wavers today.

But the problem the military has as far as numbers is not far to many out of shape kids or
Pot smokers with adhd——it’s a country which by in large no longer wants a military experience for themselves, their kids, their grandkids.

Without a draft we are a country of now servers

The problem is , the vast majority of Americans , who in the worlds of one VP——“have other priorities

It could also be argued that current foreign policy makers have different priorities than those of the past that have eroded the military culture (of rural areas). Before my son sat for his BGO interview he read and reviewed the Marine commandants 2030 plan. A lot of projected changes in that plan and truly a lot of unknowns.