- Joined
- May 31, 2008
- Messages
- 7,992
My name is Larry Mullen. I'm the Deputy Director DoDMERB. I haven't been on this site for about 5 years. There are a lot of folks that have questions and only a few folks that have accurate answers, because so much of this is viewed on a case-by-case basis, at DoDMERB and even moreso when it comes to medical waivers at each of the Service Academies and ROTC programs.
So what happens to one individual with a "medical label," is NOT necessarily what will happen with another applicant. There are individual differences about severity, frequency, onset, "healed," "cured," effect on functionability, etc. For example, someone that had an Anterior Cruciate Reconstruction 3 years ago---was released to full and unrestricted activities---regained total strength, range of motion, stability, etc., and went on to play varsity football (demonstrated performance) and was an All-County selection---is totally different from someone with the same medical situation trying to enter a Service Academy or ROTC this summer.
We have created an Applicant (Parent-Advocate) Reference document that is updated often. So, if you want "accurate" answers regarding the DoDMERB and waiver process, ALL the answers are located at:
https:dodmerb.tricare.osd.mil. On the left hand side of the page, hit the link
"Questions about the process." Instead of well-intentioned "guesses" at what another applicant might face, provided on this website, the accurate answers are located and waiting for you there. PARENTS, IN PARTICULAR, SHOULD READ PARAGRAPH D OF THE DOCUMENT.
I WON'T ANSWER QUESTIONS ON THIS WEBSITE, but you'll see avenues to ask personal questions, if you have any. AFTER you read the document.
Thank you for your attention
So what happens to one individual with a "medical label," is NOT necessarily what will happen with another applicant. There are individual differences about severity, frequency, onset, "healed," "cured," effect on functionability, etc. For example, someone that had an Anterior Cruciate Reconstruction 3 years ago---was released to full and unrestricted activities---regained total strength, range of motion, stability, etc., and went on to play varsity football (demonstrated performance) and was an All-County selection---is totally different from someone with the same medical situation trying to enter a Service Academy or ROTC this summer.
We have created an Applicant (Parent-Advocate) Reference document that is updated often. So, if you want "accurate" answers regarding the DoDMERB and waiver process, ALL the answers are located at:
https:dodmerb.tricare.osd.mil. On the left hand side of the page, hit the link
"Questions about the process." Instead of well-intentioned "guesses" at what another applicant might face, provided on this website, the accurate answers are located and waiting for you there. PARENTS, IN PARTICULAR, SHOULD READ PARAGRAPH D OF THE DOCUMENT.
I WON'T ANSWER QUESTIONS ON THIS WEBSITE, but you'll see avenues to ask personal questions, if you have any. AFTER you read the document.
Thank you for your attention