- Joined
- Sep 27, 2008
- Messages
- 24,512
A 2030 applicant to a service academy popped up a little while ago with a new thread relating to dealing with past medical conditions they felt were long over with, and that “silliness” and “foolish” were applicable.
I thought it was worthwhile to come to this forum and share some thoughts in general.
First, go to the DoDMERB website and read every detail on the landing page and the menu items. Do this on laptop rather than phone or other mobile site, so you can see everything. This will start your research using primary sources. Pay attention to the FAQs and DoD accessions document with the standard.
When it’s time, you should answer every medical history question truthfully.
Then you work through the process, simple or complicated, as thousands before you have. The application process is also a test of resolve and perseverance.
You should locate all related records as a matter of routine preparation.
Do not rush through the questionnaire. Have a parent right there for reference and accuracy. We hear many stories here of blocks being incorrectly checked and the page auto-saves and cannot be edited.
I often post the below comment to help people understand why military medical accession standards are set high. Copied below.
The way to think about this is utilitarian, not from the individual’s POV, but the unit. The military medical accession bar is set very high. Military people routinely work in harsh, harsh operating environments, often remote and far from advanced medical care. High stress. High pressure. Relentless. Sleep deprivation. Physical danger from many sources. Some of the worst working conditions humans can endure. The safety of the unit is paramount, and the safety of the unit often depends on everyone being physically and mentally able to do their jobs and contribute. That’s why the military looks for people who are the least vulnerable to illness, injury or recurrence of past conditions. In “normal” life, these people can carry on just fine. High op tempo evolutions in or near a combat zone, or even the pressure cooker of a service academy, might be a hairsbreadth too much. Utilitarianism: the good of the many outweighs the good of the few. It’s not about you. It’s about the people who are relying on you - and the mission.
I thought it was worthwhile to come to this forum and share some thoughts in general.
First, go to the DoDMERB website and read every detail on the landing page and the menu items. Do this on laptop rather than phone or other mobile site, so you can see everything. This will start your research using primary sources. Pay attention to the FAQs and DoD accessions document with the standard.
When it’s time, you should answer every medical history question truthfully.
Then you work through the process, simple or complicated, as thousands before you have. The application process is also a test of resolve and perseverance.
You should locate all related records as a matter of routine preparation.
Do not rush through the questionnaire. Have a parent right there for reference and accuracy. We hear many stories here of blocks being incorrectly checked and the page auto-saves and cannot be edited.
I often post the below comment to help people understand why military medical accession standards are set high. Copied below.
The way to think about this is utilitarian, not from the individual’s POV, but the unit. The military medical accession bar is set very high. Military people routinely work in harsh, harsh operating environments, often remote and far from advanced medical care. High stress. High pressure. Relentless. Sleep deprivation. Physical danger from many sources. Some of the worst working conditions humans can endure. The safety of the unit is paramount, and the safety of the unit often depends on everyone being physically and mentally able to do their jobs and contribute. That’s why the military looks for people who are the least vulnerable to illness, injury or recurrence of past conditions. In “normal” life, these people can carry on just fine. High op tempo evolutions in or near a combat zone, or even the pressure cooker of a service academy, might be a hairsbreadth too much. Utilitarianism: the good of the many outweighs the good of the few. It’s not about you. It’s about the people who are relying on you - and the mission.
Last edited: