APFT for 4 yr winner/AROTC

[ArmyDad1988]

Good evening. When is the APFT administered prior to contracting for 4 year winners? As soon as Freshman year starts in late August? How does that jive with first due date for tuition payments to a college? Thanks.

 

[clarksonarmy]

You’ll need to ask the program you are going to join. We all do it a little different. I give the test over the summer. Other programs may wait until after the semester starts, or just before.

 

[AROTC-dad]

Don't forget that you not only need the APFT, but you also need to pass DoDMERB to get the tuition paid by AROTC.

Hopefully you have also applied to an SA that will have allowed you to have passed DoDMERB already.

 

[DanGir]

For a reference point, my son had a couple day orientation prior to classes starting Freshman year. The APFT was given during this orientation. He passed at the time but barely. I think it opened his eyes a little bit.

 

[ArmyDad1988]

Yes, DQ on DoDMERB for pierced eardrum w/in 180 days of medical exam but got waiver quickly from USAFA because ear was repaired w/good surgical outcome. Awaiting waiver from Cadet Command. Hopefully will hear soon. Thanks.

 

[C76706340]

Don't forget that you not only need the APFT, but you also need to pass DoDMERB to get the tuition paid by AROTC.

Hopefully you have also applied to an SA that will have allowed you to have passed DoDMERB already.

Hello AROTC-dad,

What you just posted really worries me - I was medically disqualified from attending USMA about a week ago, and I'm worried that I will be medically disqualified from my AROTC Scholarship just the same. Is there a chance that DoDMERB reviews candidates' files in a different light for ROTC scholarships than they do for the SAs? Is there even a slim chance that I won't be medically disqualified again? My parents and I are very worried. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

If you were wondering what I was disqualified for it was:

• Current nutritional deficiency diseases (D132.30)
• Academic skills disorders (D231.90)

D132.30 - My parents (who are both doctors) believe that DoDMERB mistook my asymptomatic thalassemia minor (a common trait amongst people of South Asian and African descent to protect against Malaria) as Iron Deficiency Anemia due to my microcytosis (smaller red blood cells - an indicator of low iron). I also believe this may be a misdiagnosis because I eat like a pig (in a healthy way). My hemoglobin level is well within the normal range (14.5 g/dL - literally just tested yesterday when I got my Tetanus shot for VMI), and I performed above average on the CFA and my AROTC Scholarship's PFA.

D231.90 - I was diagnosed with ADHD as a young child and from a young age was prescribed Adderal to alleviate my symptoms. As I grew up, the symptoms of my disorder slowly abated and, by February 2017, I was completely off medication. I understand why Adderal, a very powerful drug, would give DoDMERB more than enough of a reason to medically disqualify me. However, I took the SAT (on which I received a 1510) and maintained a 3.5-3.6 GPA (highly competitive high school's average GPA is around a 3.3) throughout my high school career all while off medication.

I sent in all the necessary paperwork supporting my case but alas, I still received a medical disqualification notice along with a TWE from USMA last week. I'm very worried that the same will happen with my AROTC Scholarship. Is there any hope? Thanks. Sorry for the long post.

Sincerely,
C76706340

 

[jakesam]

Don't forget that you not only need the APFT, but you also need to pass DoDMERB to get the tuition paid by AROTC.

Hopefully you have also applied to an SA that will have allowed you to have passed DoDMERB already.

Hello AROTC-dad,

What you just posted really worries me - I was medically disqualified from attending USMA about a week ago, and I'm worried that I will be medically disqualified from my AROTC Scholarship just the same. Is there a chance that DoDMERB reviews candidates' files in a different light for ROTC scholarships than they do for the SAs? Is there even a slim chance that I won't be medically disqualified again? My parents and I are very worried. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

If you were wondering what I was disqualified for it was:

• Current nutritional deficiency diseases (D132.30)
• Academic skills disorders (D231.90)

D132.30 - My parents (who are both doctors) believe that DoDMERB mistook my asymptomatic thalassemia minor (a common trait amongst people of South Asian and African descent to protect against Malaria) as Iron Deficiency Anemia due to my microcytosis (smaller red blood cells - an indicator of low iron). I also believe this may be a misdiagnosis because I eat like a pig (in a healthy way). My hemoglobin level is well within the normal range (14.5 g/dL - literally just tested yesterday when I got my Tetanus shot for VMI), and I performed above average on the CFA and my AROTC Scholarship's PFA.

D231.90 - I was diagnosed with ADHD as a young child and from a young age was prescribed Adderal to alleviate my symptoms. As I grew up, the symptoms of my disorder slowly abated and, by February 2017, I was completely off medication. I understand why Adderal, a very powerful drug, would give DoDMERB more than enough of a reason to medically disqualify me. However, I took the SAT (on which I received a 1510) and maintained a 3.5-3.6 GPA (highly competitive high school's average GPA is around a 3.3) throughout my high school career all while off medication.

I sent in all the necessary paperwork supporting my case but alas, I still received a medical disqualification notice along with a TWE from USMA last week. I'm very worried that the same will happen with my AROTC Scholarship. Is there any hope? Thanks. Sorry for the long post.

Sincerely,
C76706340

From what i've read on this forum, rotc is more lenient with waivers than USMA is

 

[AROTC-dad]

I'm very worried that the same will happen with my AROTC Scholarship. Is there any hope? Thanks. Sorry for the long post.

Yes, there is hope. But it will be challenging too.

Army ROTC and USMA have completely separate processes for evaluating waivers. It is arguable if one is more lenient than the other. Nonetheless, in your case, it is in the hands of AROTC Cadet Command.

Remember DoDMERB issues a Q or DQ. There is rarely a gray area. They have nothing to do with the waiver process which is conducted by each SA or ROTC program. Each program or SA will then evaluate your case and determine if your DQ is one that can be waived. In other words, it is a risk management question: ....is this candidate likely to be impaired down the road and adversely impact our investment in him or her?

Here is a flow chart that illustrates the waiver process:
https://dodmerb.tricare.osd.mil/Content/MedicalWaiverConsideration.pdf

Don't forget, that you CAN appeal a denial of waiver.

Have your physician parents reach out to a military physician or a doctor who has previously served in the military. There is distinct language and terminology that may be problematic to your cause. Using the right language is critical. Also don't be too verbose! Make sure you address only the specific DQ and to not open up other "cans of worms."

Some folks on this forum have contacted a DoDMERB consultant to help optimize their chances.

With regard to your specific DQ issues, I am not a doctor, but there are others on this forum who are physicians with MIL experience and may chime in with a more medical oriented opinion.

Perhaps our ROO members, @clarksonarmy and @MohawkArmyROTC might offer up a perspective as well.

Update:
I see that @GoCubbies has weighed in on the DoDMERB forum regarding your case. He is an excellent resource!

 

[C76706340]

I'm very worried that the same will happen with my AROTC Scholarship. Is there any hope? Thanks. Sorry for the long post.

Yes, there is hope. But it will be challenging too.

Army ROTC and USMA have completely separate processes for evaluating waivers. It is arguable if one is more lenient than the other. Nonetheless, in your case, it is in the hands of AROTC Cadet Command.

Remember DoDMERB issues a Q or DQ. There is rarely a gray area. They have nothing to do with the waiver process which is conducted by each SA or ROTC program. Each program or SA will then evaluate your case and determine if your DQ is one that can be waived. In other words, it is a risk management question: ....is this candidate likely to be impaired down the road and adversely impact our investment in him or her?

Here is a flow chart that illustrates the waiver process:
https://dodmerb.tricare.osd.mil/Content/MedicalWaiverConsideration.pdf

Don't forget, that you CAN appeal a denial of waiver.

Have your physician parents reach out to a military physician or a doctor who has previously served in the military. There is distinct language and terminology that may be problematic to your cause. Using the right language is critical. Also don't be too verbose! Make sure you address only the specific DQ and to not open up other "cans of worms."

Some folks on this forum have contacted a DoDMERB consultant to help optimize their chances.

With regard to your specific DQ issues, I am not a doctor, but there are others on this forum who are physicians with MIL experience and may chime in with a more medical oriented opinion.

Perhaps our ROO members, @clarksonarmy and @MohawkArmyROTC might offer up a perspective as well.

Update:
I see that @GoCubbies has weighed in on the DoDMERB forum regarding your case. He is an excellent resource!

Thank you for your advice, AROTC-dad. I have already contacted clarksonarmy regarding the issue.

 

[losalvarez5]

Great question and thank you for the information.

 

[sheriff3]

Couple of things... if you are a 4 year scholarship awardee then your DQ is automatically reviewed by cadet command surgeon general. No action is necessary on your part to initiate unless that has changed recently. Start gathering medical records to help address any remedial request from DoDMERB and hopefully support your case in the event of a waiver denial. Good luck!

 

[UMontanaArmyROTC]

We have successfully processed waivers for two applicants that USMA would not move forward with. Good luck to you!

Don't forget that you not only need the APFT, but you also need to pass DoDMERB to get the tuition paid by AROTC.

Hopefully you have also applied to an SA that will have allowed you to have passed DoDMERB already.

Hello AROTC-dad,

What you just posted really worries me - I was medically disqualified from attending USMA about a week ago, and I'm worried that I will be medically disqualified from my AROTC Scholarship just the same. Is there a chance that DoDMERB reviews candidates' files in a different light for ROTC scholarships than they do for the SAs? Is there even a slim chance that I won't be medically disqualified again? My parents and I are very worried. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

If you were wondering what I was disqualified for it was:

• Current nutritional deficiency diseases (D132.30)
• Academic skills disorders (D231.90)

D132.30 - My parents (who are both doctors) believe that DoDMERB mistook my asymptomatic thalassemia minor (a common trait amongst people of South Asian and African descent to protect against Malaria) as Iron Deficiency Anemia due to my microcytosis (smaller red blood cells - an indicator of low iron). I also believe this may be a misdiagnosis because I eat like a pig (in a healthy way). My hemoglobin level is well within the normal range (14.5 g/dL - literally just tested yesterday when I got my Tetanus shot for VMI), and I performed above average on the CFA and my AROTC Scholarship's PFA.

D231.90 - I was diagnosed with ADHD as a young child and from a young age was prescribed Adderal to alleviate my symptoms. As I grew up, the symptoms of my disorder slowly abated and, by February 2017, I was completely off medication. I understand why Adderal, a very powerful drug, would give DoDMERB more than enough of a reason to medically disqualify me. However, I took the SAT (on which I received a 1510) and maintained a 3.5-3.6 GPA (highly competitive high school's average GPA is around a 3.3) throughout my high school career all while off medication.

I sent in all the necessary paperwork supporting my case but alas, I still received a medical disqualification notice along with a TWE from USMA last week. I'm very worried that the same will happen with my AROTC Scholarship. Is there any hope? Thanks. Sorry for the long post.

Sincerely,
C76706340