My son is a freshman in a ROTC program in Vermont. He qualified for a 3-year ROTC scholarship, and signed the contract committing to that, but that doesn't technically start until his second year. He was also still waiting to hear whether he had medically qualified (I think he still needs to complete his eye exam). Meanwhile he just injured his knee during a ROTC excursion (climbing a mountain with his corps) and most likely has a torn ACL which will require surgery. Since the scholarship hadn't started, and he hadn't been medically qualified yet, does that mean that he is not considered officially part of the ROTC program and is likely not covered insurance-wise by ROTC or the DOD? And how will this affect his medical exam?
Army ROTC injury question
- Thread starter pablo67
- Start date
pa-outdoorsman
Member
- Joined
- Aug 14, 2023
- Messages
- 789
My DS is also a 3-year scholarship winner and a college freshman. I am not sure what you are talking about in terms of contracting, but you cannot contract unless/until you have DODMERB medical clearance. It is also my understanding that no 3-year scholarship winners contract until the start of sophomore year. So, I am not sure exactly what your son did in terms of making a commitment to his program, but I am fairly certain it is not the contract. Or, if he did sign the contract early, I am pretty sure it cannot be in effect without medical clearance.
Regardless of whether your son had completed the DODMERB process previously and gotten medical clearance, he is required to report any changes to his condition. Since a torn ACL is a disqualifying condition, he would not be deemed qualified. However, this does not necessarily mean he will lose his scholarship. My guess is the Army/ROTC will work with your son and give him an opportunity to be treated and heal. That said, I do not believe ROTC cadets are covered by any kind of military insurance during school. This is a difference between service academy cadets (who are considered active duty) and ROTC cadets.
Bottom line: you really need to deal directly with DODMERB and the ROTC cadre at your son's school regarding this matter. While others here may be able to offer some valuable input, none of us can really provide definitive answers that can only come from the Army.
My condolences to you and your son, and best of luck as you navigate the healing process and chart a revised course forward.
pa-outdoorsman
Member
- Joined
- Aug 14, 2023
- Messages
- 789
He probably signed his enrollment forms for this year. I know my son did that. There was a bunch of paperwork they had to do to get put into the Cadet Command information system, but it wasn't the contract.
- Joined
- Feb 13, 2018
- Messages
- 1,228
I'm sorry about what happened to your son. These freak accidents can come at the worse moments.
Medical exam: if he's already done the medical portion (not the eye exam) which means he saw a doctor who laid hands on him, put a stethoscope on his chest, etc..., then he needs to contact his DoDMERB case manager to let him/her know of a change in medical condition.
If your son has a tear in his ACL, then he is DQ. If he has surgery, then he is DQ for only 12 months following the surgery assuming his rehab goes fine.
Let's say your son gets surgery in Dec 2024. He'd DQ'ed until Jan 2026 (ie 12 months after surgery) for having the ACL repaired. He is supposed to start his 3-year ROTC scholarship in Aug/Sept 2025. It is theoretically very possible that he gets his surgery in Dec 2024 and gets a waiver in July 2025 so that he can contract before or at the beginning of the new school year. It is an optimistic timeline because it is only 7 months after surgery. To get a waiver, I am thinking AROTC medical reviewers are going to want the medical records, a release to full activity by the orthopedic surgeon, and some type of proof (a "trial of life" if you will) that the knee can withstand stresses without issues. I'm thinking that proof could be passing the ACFT. That means your son has to train up and take the ACFT in the summer so it can be provided to the waiver reviewers.
Payment for medical care: The current process for ROTC is not ideal. If a cadet gets hurt during cadet summer training at Fort Knox, then Tricare will cover. This is a new development within the past year.
Since your son was hurt during the academic year, you will have to go through the Workers' Comp program which is run by the Dept of Labor. The ROTC unit's HRA will be able to guide your son on filing claims related to his injury.
Not sure what you mean by "...considered part of the ROTC program...." As a 3-year scholarship winner, your son cannot contract as a freshman. He can contract next fall. I supposed you can say he isn't part of the program until officially contracted. However, kids can fully participate in ROTC (eg as a freshman to "try it out") even if not contracted.
Another thing to consider since he is not contracted is the DoDMERB exam which is good for only 2 years. If the 2 years lapse before he gets contracted, then he has do it again. Based on your post, it seems your son just did the medical portion of the exam so it would be good until sometime in middle/late 2026. I think he'll be good there.
