Can AROTC ROOs see DS has been DQd by DoDMERB?
- Thread starter THmom
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Probably not. I've read they (the SA's) can have different criteria for being disqualified, but that's based solely on what I've read on this forum. No clue really. But the AROTC initial board isn't until December, so I doubt they're looking at that sort of thing, yet. My kid has been medically qualified by 2 SA's and interviewed/spoken with several ROTC units. None of them have asked him anything about his medical qualification.
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I think the way the system works is AROTC gives a list of scholarship winners to DODMERB so exams can be scheduled.
DODMERB will run the list of names from ROTC with its current database. In almost all cases, ROTC applicants are also applying to SA and they may already have an exam on file.
If any of the names have a current status in the DODMERB database, then that info gets sent back to ROTC.
In the case of your DS, no scholarship board has met yet so DODMERB has had no reason to send the DQ info to ROTC.
Just my logic from what I know how ROTC gets and provides info to/from DODMERB.
DODMERB will run the list of names from ROTC with its current database. In almost all cases, ROTC applicants are also applying to SA and they may already have an exam on file.
If any of the names have a current status in the DODMERB database, then that info gets sent back to ROTC.
In the case of your DS, no scholarship board has met yet so DODMERB has had no reason to send the DQ info to ROTC.
Just my logic from what I know how ROTC gets and provides info to/from DODMERB.
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+1 to GoCubbies as it makes sense to me. Also, the Academies and ROTC programs do not have different DQ standards from one another. What they do have is different waiver standards, and more specifically, ability to grant waivers for certain conditions or beyond certain numerical limits..
Pima
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kinnem is correct. The commissioning source is the one that determines if a waiver is given.
IE @THmom you stated your child applied to 3 SAs and AROTC.
That means for your DS it would be FOUR different sources regarding the DQ and waiver.
USAFA and USMA may waive, but USNA says NOPE.
~ Great example is color vision deficiency waiver for USNA is much harder to obtain than it is for the AF or the Army
USMA say no for the DQ, but AROTC says yep
Just because it is the same branch, does not equate to being the same commissioning source.
Going off topic, but on topic for a moment.
Not trying to be Debbie Downer and I do not need to know what the DQ is, but also understand that waivers need to be seen from the Whole Picture aspect in their eyes.
~ This board is littered with allergy DQs and many people can't understand why it is such an issue. It actually comes down to multiple reasons
1. Deployment
~ Can they be deployed to a remote area without an epi pen? Certain inoculations can not be given to people with specific allergies due to adverse reactions. I want to say yellow fever is one of them. The avg kid in HS has never had to get a yellow fever shot, but my DH (ret. ADAF) and my DS (ADAF now) have both had that shot. If they can't give you that shot, than they won't deploy them, but somebody else will still have to go in their stead. In essence, you have tied their hands from a combat/military aspect before you even were commissioned.
2. Career opportunities.
~ Scoliosis seems like a no biggie, but USAFA looks at that, probably as hard as the Navy looks at color vision deficiency, regarding the curvature degree. There is a reason why. For the pointy nose planes in the AF, they have ejection seats. Ejection seats and a back/spinal issue are not compatible. Thus, from the get go, the AF knows they can't place that candidate in an ejection seat. Pilots in the AF must pass not only the AF medical exam, but also the FAA FC1. The FC1 is a much higher level of an exam.
3. The minute they give you a waiver they accept the medical responsibility of taking care of that issue for as long as they are in, and must assume that it can also mean for the rest of their lives.
~ DH served 21 yrs. ADAF. He will have VA coverage until he dies. DH commissioned with not one waiver. At his exit medical exam he received @15-20% of his retirement paycheck with disability. He will have that too until the day he dies. His vision deteriorated during those 20 yrs., and it was deemed due to on the job. He had tinnitus and hearing loss at the ripe old age of 42. which was deemed due to the jet noise as a flyer. He broke a finger during a deployment to the sandbox (Gulf I) and because they did not have a hospital like we do stateside, it was re-set in a fix. It did not heal properly. He can use it with no issue, but if you look closely it is not straight, and that caused arthritis. He also has the right to go to any base/post for medical care. Granted he would be on the low end of the chart for getting an appointment, but if he wanted to he could do it. Between the cost of health care and the fact that the govt can't tax that disability part of his retirement pay, the govt is losing money. When you think that the avg life expectancy is nearing late 70s, that means it could be 40 yrs+ they are absorbing the costs.
Just saying this is why DQs and waivers can take time. On the plus side for you @THmom your DS already knows he is DQ. Historically, if you look at threads regarding DQs. many times the earlier the DQ, the faster it will go through the pipeline. The reason is simple. As scholarships are awarded they than go for the DoDMERB, whereas candidates for SAs have already done their DoDMERB.
~ IOWS, think of it this way. Dec. rolls around and he receives a scholarship. AROTC is going to take the DoDMERB he already did and now will throw him into the waiver pile immediately. The AROTC scholarship recipient in Dec. will than be told to go an get the exam, and than will be placed into the waiver pile, let's say Jan. It is a first in, first reviewed by the commissioning source. His file would be reviewed before that other candidate since the exam was completed earlier.
Good luck, thank you and your family for supporting your DS in wanting to defend this great nation
PS. I do not know your DS's age, but realize due to HIPPA laws, if your child turns 18 during this review, they will lock you out from any information, because now he is a legal adult, and HIPPA takes precedence even if he is living under your roof as a HS senior. If the DQ is something you can be proactive now, than you should do it.
~ IE at 14 he had a bronchial infection and your family doc erring on safety prescribed an inhaler saying asthma, which he still has a current prescription, take him to a doc that is a specialist to prove he never had asthma. Even better if that doc understands military medical regs.
~ Use the search button here and see if anybody has dealt with the specific DQ they stated to your DS.
~ Many posters will search out DoDMERB consultants and find that it is a waste of money. They tend to be happy to take your $$$ but soon disappear.
IE @THmom you stated your child applied to 3 SAs and AROTC.
That means for your DS it would be FOUR different sources regarding the DQ and waiver.
USAFA and USMA may waive, but USNA says NOPE.
~ Great example is color vision deficiency waiver for USNA is much harder to obtain than it is for the AF or the Army
USMA say no for the DQ, but AROTC says yep
Just because it is the same branch, does not equate to being the same commissioning source.
Going off topic, but on topic for a moment.
Not trying to be Debbie Downer and I do not need to know what the DQ is, but also understand that waivers need to be seen from the Whole Picture aspect in their eyes.
~ This board is littered with allergy DQs and many people can't understand why it is such an issue. It actually comes down to multiple reasons
1. Deployment
~ Can they be deployed to a remote area without an epi pen? Certain inoculations can not be given to people with specific allergies due to adverse reactions. I want to say yellow fever is one of them. The avg kid in HS has never had to get a yellow fever shot, but my DH (ret. ADAF) and my DS (ADAF now) have both had that shot. If they can't give you that shot, than they won't deploy them, but somebody else will still have to go in their stead. In essence, you have tied their hands from a combat/military aspect before you even were commissioned.
2. Career opportunities.
~ Scoliosis seems like a no biggie, but USAFA looks at that, probably as hard as the Navy looks at color vision deficiency, regarding the curvature degree. There is a reason why. For the pointy nose planes in the AF, they have ejection seats. Ejection seats and a back/spinal issue are not compatible. Thus, from the get go, the AF knows they can't place that candidate in an ejection seat. Pilots in the AF must pass not only the AF medical exam, but also the FAA FC1. The FC1 is a much higher level of an exam.
3. The minute they give you a waiver they accept the medical responsibility of taking care of that issue for as long as they are in, and must assume that it can also mean for the rest of their lives.
~ DH served 21 yrs. ADAF. He will have VA coverage until he dies. DH commissioned with not one waiver. At his exit medical exam he received @15-20% of his retirement paycheck with disability. He will have that too until the day he dies. His vision deteriorated during those 20 yrs., and it was deemed due to on the job. He had tinnitus and hearing loss at the ripe old age of 42. which was deemed due to the jet noise as a flyer. He broke a finger during a deployment to the sandbox (Gulf I) and because they did not have a hospital like we do stateside, it was re-set in a fix. It did not heal properly. He can use it with no issue, but if you look closely it is not straight, and that caused arthritis. He also has the right to go to any base/post for medical care. Granted he would be on the low end of the chart for getting an appointment, but if he wanted to he could do it. Between the cost of health care and the fact that the govt can't tax that disability part of his retirement pay, the govt is losing money. When you think that the avg life expectancy is nearing late 70s, that means it could be 40 yrs+ they are absorbing the costs.
Just saying this is why DQs and waivers can take time. On the plus side for you @THmom your DS already knows he is DQ. Historically, if you look at threads regarding DQs. many times the earlier the DQ, the faster it will go through the pipeline. The reason is simple. As scholarships are awarded they than go for the DoDMERB, whereas candidates for SAs have already done their DoDMERB.
~ IOWS, think of it this way. Dec. rolls around and he receives a scholarship. AROTC is going to take the DoDMERB he already did and now will throw him into the waiver pile immediately. The AROTC scholarship recipient in Dec. will than be told to go an get the exam, and than will be placed into the waiver pile, let's say Jan. It is a first in, first reviewed by the commissioning source. His file would be reviewed before that other candidate since the exam was completed earlier.
Good luck, thank you and your family for supporting your DS in wanting to defend this great nation
PS. I do not know your DS's age, but realize due to HIPPA laws, if your child turns 18 during this review, they will lock you out from any information, because now he is a legal adult, and HIPPA takes precedence even if he is living under your roof as a HS senior. If the DQ is something you can be proactive now, than you should do it.
~ IE at 14 he had a bronchial infection and your family doc erring on safety prescribed an inhaler saying asthma, which he still has a current prescription, take him to a doc that is a specialist to prove he never had asthma. Even better if that doc understands military medical regs.
~ Use the search button here and see if anybody has dealt with the specific DQ they stated to your DS.
~ Many posters will search out DoDMERB consultants and find that it is a waste of money. They tend to be happy to take your $$$ but soon disappear.
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