allergy waiver?

[takedown34]

Hello, not surprisingly, we just received word today that DS was disqualified due to D271.40, peanut allergy (which really wasn't ever an allergy, so now I question why it was put it on the form). He has never reacted to peanuts in his life, but he had to have a food challenge when he was 2 or 3 because he had a *very* slightly positive blood test. He passed with flying colors and has eaten peanuts his entire life. Is this something that is likely to get waived? The allergist office has loooong since destroyed his medical records. Should I try to make an allergist appointment and be proactive or wait for more correspondence? Could it possibly be waived with no further info needed? Lastly, DODMERB says "under waiver consideration". Does that mean USNA requested a waiver?

 

[Nino5T-]

Under waiver consideration is the status that DODMERB automatically updates to after the initial disqualification. It does not mean that USNA has requested a waiver yet. Since the DQ was received today it will be a bit before hearing back from USNA regarding whether or not they have chosen to initiate a waiver. You should receive an email update from either DODMERB or USNA when the waiver is initiated.

 

[NeverSayNever]

I've been scouring this forum since DD decided to apply and she has a history of food allergy. DD had reactions to food as a toddler and we have had her recently allergy tested and she can tolerate all foods. There is currently no way that I know of to get in front of the process and inform waiver authorities preemptively on CURRENT status. All DoDMERB cares about is the HISTORY which in and of itself is a disqualifying condition. Good luck with the waiver - DD is in the same boat but has not been notified yet of DQ.

 

[takedown34]

The thing is…now we are kicking ourselves for actually putting it on the form. He has never, ever reacted. The only reason that he did food challenge was because he had a mild positive blood test when he was about 7 months old. Do you think that he should send a letter/email stating as such? We will *tentatively* assume that if any “allergy” is waiverable this would be it.

 

[NeverSayNever]

The thing is…now we are kicking ourselves for actually putting it on the form. He has never, ever reacted. The only reason that he did food challenge was because he had a mild positive blood test when he was about 7 months old. Do you think that he should send a letter/email stating as such? We will *tentatively* assume that if any “allergy” is waiverable this would be it.

Here is where I am uncertain but share your frustration. If your DS writes to DoDMERB...they read the letter/email and can do what? I think the answer is "nothing" because they (as an organization) don't care and don't hold the authority to waive anything. I also don't think that letter ever gets seen by the waiver authority but I'm not sure because the entire clearance system is done behind an iron curtain of mystery. What I think would be helpful is if there was a method to communicate to the waiver authority the relative risk or current status beyond the initial uptake paperwork and a 5 min talk with a contracted doctor.

I think the philosophy behind the process is to reduce cost to the government by making blanket DQs based on "history of anything" and then evaluating the relative competitiveness of the candidate first and then determining if the cost of obtaining the waiver is justifiable.

So here is what I think is best.. I don't think USNA will reject a candidate solely based on a "history" of a food allergy. If they don't request a waiver it likely means that he is not a competitive candidate and it has nothing to do with peanuts. They won't take a lesser qualified applicant FIRST without due diligence to clear a more competitive applicant (my opinion). If they DO request a waiver - pursue it - and take solace that even if not selected for an appointment that USNA found him worthy enough to spend the time/money/resources to let him compete for a slot.

 

[takedown34]

Here is where I am uncertain but share your frustration. If your DS writes to DoDMERB...they read the letter/email and can do what? I think the answer is "nothing" because they (as an organization) don't care and don't hold the authority to waive anything. I also don't think that letter ever gets seen by the waiver authority but I'm not sure because the entire clearance system is done behind an iron curtain of mystery. What I think would be helpful is if there was a method to communicate to the waiver authority the relative risk or current status beyond the initial uptake paperwork and a 5 min talk with a contracted doctor.

I think the philosophy behind the process is to reduce cost to the government by making blanket DQs based on "history of anything" and then evaluating the relative competitiveness of the candidate first and then determining if the cost of obtaining the waiver is justifiable.

So here is what I think is best.. I don't think USNA will reject a candidate solely based on a "history" of a food allergy. If they don't request a waiver it likely means that he is not a competitive candidate and it has nothing to do with peanuts. They won't take a lesser qualified applicant FIRST without due diligence to clear a more competitive applicant (my opinion). If they DO request a waiver - pursue it - and take solace that even if not selected for an appointment that USNA found him worthy enough to spend the time/money/resources to let him compete for a slot.

Unfortunately we are from a SUPER competitive state for USNA. He did not get a nom (over 400 apps/senator). But if firmly believe he would have had a great chance for a nom in many other states. Who knows, maybe he will be considered for NAPS (fingers crossed for that, his last chance)? He is also pursuing another SA and ROTC.