DoDMERB Asthma, Allergies and ADHD questions

[imsojulia25]

Hi! I'm a Junior in HS and I've wanted to do AFROTC or USAFA for as long as I can remember. I'm currently in AFJROTC, and have been for 3 years. I've been doing my research, but I'm getting varied answers from everyone. I have asthma & allergies, and ADHD. I have no problem with the Air Force PT test, my 1.5 mile run time is currently 11:13, 36 push-ups in a minute and 42 sit ups in a minute. (Female, 16) I use an inhaler, but I've been fine without it for the past 6 months. I'm doing immunotherapy for my seasonal allergies, animal allergies and almond allergy. I have a 504 plan for my ADHD, but I don't remember the last time I actually used it, I never need it. Some people told me that I'm freaking myself out, but I really just need a yes or no answer. Would any of this be an absolute no from the DoDMERB? Should I continue down this path? Or should I not waste my time with the DoDMERB test just to get denied. I know it's case-by-case, but I have this "impending doom" feeling where I'll just end up getting denied. Thanks for your help.

Also very new to the forums, glad I found this.

 

[gniyji]

My first post on this forums over a year ago was pretty much same as yours. My son had milk allergy when he was a baby (and the blood test/CPT still showed positive). We also had 2nd thought on SA/ROTC application, given the likelihood of medical DQ, why we should waste our time/effort, also teachers/coaches time of writing recommendations. A lot folks did encourage us to continue the process --- and my son is now a plebe at West Point -- he is doing great there, can't be happier otherwise.

Your chance is zero if you don't try, just let the process to work out -- likely you will be DQ first by DoDMERB then SA will consider a waiver based on your strength of your application and your specific medical condition. Nobody here can tell you a yes/no even USAFA and AFROTC may have different decisions.

 

[GoCubbies]

Hi! I'm a Junior in HS and I've wanted to do AFROTC or USAFA for as long as I can remember. I'm currently in AFJROTC, and have been for 3 years. I've been doing my research, but I'm getting varied answers from everyone. I have asthma & allergies, and ADHD. I have no problem with the Air Force PT test, my 1.5 mile run time is currently 11:13, 36 push-ups in a minute and 42 sit ups in a minute. (Female, 16) I use an inhaler, but I've been fine without it for the past 6 months. I'm doing immunotherapy for my seasonal allergies, animal allergies and almond allergy. I have a 504 plan for my ADHD, but I don't remember the last time I actually used it, I never need it. Some people told me that I'm freaking myself out, but I really just need a yes or no answer. Would any of this be an absolute no from the DoDMERB? Should I continue down this path? Or should I not waste my time with the DoDMERB test just to get denied. I know it's case-by-case, but I have this "impending doom" feeling where I'll just end up getting denied. Thanks for your help.

Also very new to the forums, glad I found this.

Continue down this path.

It’s an absolute no from the USAFA and AFROTC if you don’t apply.

 

[justdoit19]

Make sure you understand the medical process. Check out their website. Look at the flowcharts.

With what you posted, you will receive a DQ. Dont be afraid of a DQ. The SA/ROTC *can* issue a waiver for an issued DQ. Your job is going to be providing g additional information that’s potentially requested. So having your records buttoned up is a good thing to work on. No open or questionable diagnosis, for example.

Also, as recently discussed on other threads, a SA will not accept a standardized test taken with accommodations. And as far as I know, a standardized test is still a required piece of the application.

Agree with others: appply. The only absolute zero chance, is to not apply.

Good luck to you!

 

[USMA/USNA CO 2029????????]

Hi! I'm a Junior in HS and I've wanted to do AFROTC or USAFA for as long as I can remember. I'm currently in AFJROTC, and have been for 3 years. I've been doing my research, but I'm getting varied answers from everyone. I have asthma & allergies, and ADHD. I have no problem with the Air Force PT test, my 1.5 mile run time is currently 11:13, 36 push-ups in a minute and 42 sit ups in a minute. (Female, 16) I use an inhaler, but I've been fine without it for the past 6 months. I'm doing immunotherapy for my seasonal allergies, animal allergies and almond allergy. I have a 504 plan for my ADHD, but I don't remember the last time I actually used it, I never need it. Some people told me that I'm freaking myself out, but I really just need a yes or no answer. Would any of this be an absolute no from the DoDMERB? Should I continue down this path? Or should I not waste my time with the DoDMERB test just to get denied. I know it's case-by-case, but I have this "impending doom" feeling where I'll just end up getting denied. Thanks for your help.

Also very new to the forums, glad I found this.

No such thing as a absolute no

In 2021 a cadet at USAFA was able to commission into the space force with type 1 diabetes.

That was supposed to be 100% fully impossible but he fought for a waiver and got one.

I won’t lie it’s not super likely you’ll get a waiver but if you don’t try you definitely won’t get one.

If you’re open to serving in the other branches I’d try their ROTC programs too as they may be more open to a waiver than the AF is.

Also I literally just finished my dodmerb exams so if you have any questions about it I might know the answer.

 

[justme]

Hi! I'm a Junior in HS and I've wanted to do AFROTC or USAFA for as long as I can remember. I'm currently in AFJROTC, and have been for 3 years. I've been doing my research, but I'm getting varied answers from everyone. I have asthma & allergies, and ADHD. I have no problem with the Air Force PT test, my 1.5 mile run time is currently 11:13, 36 push-ups in a minute and 42 sit ups in a minute. (Female, 16) I use an inhaler, but I've been fine without it for the past 6 months. I'm doing immunotherapy for my seasonal allergies, animal allergies and almond allergy. I have a 504 plan for my ADHD, but I don't remember the last time I actually used it, I never need it. Some people told me that I'm freaking myself out, but I really just need a yes or no answer. Would any of this be an absolute no from the DoDMERB? Should I continue down this path? Or should I not waste my time with the DoDMERB test just to get denied. I know it's case-by-case, but I have this "impending doom" feeling where I'll just end up getting denied. Thanks for your help.

Also very new to the forums, glad I found this.

With almost all medical questions for the military, "not using it" or not needing it" doesn't mean much.

IF you truly are not using your 504, you may want to discuss with parents regarding possibly revoking it*. That would start the clock on academic record without it. You would want to show you can hold your grades and test scores without accommodations for as long as possible.


* That discussion should be honest and involved. You may use one small piece that you aren't really actively thinking about.

 

[usna1985]

Both asthma post age 13 and 504 are disqualifying, which means you'll need a waiver. If you search under "asthma," there is a lot of discussion on these boards. I would NOT proactively spend money on a lot of tests. See what you are asked to provide by your accession source and start with that.

For USNA (which is all I'm knowledgeable about), it will be very difficult to get a waiver for asthma post age 13, including use of an inhaler within the last year. Maybe not impossible, but difficult. Just being realistic.

There's a thread just below this one that talks at length about 504 plans.

Keep in mind that DODBERB qualifies / disqualifies. Each military accession source has its own standards for waivers. For example, it's VERY hard to get a waiver for colorblindness for USNA, USCGA, USMMA and (I believe) USAFA. Not hard for USMA. As an above poster said, you may have more success in certain paths.

Final comment . . . as you correctly stated, each medical situation is unique to that person. Thus, the fact that someone else with a similar-sounding condition did or did not get a waiver has no bearing on whether you will or won't. There could be particular aspects of a medical condition that make it more or less likely to be waived. The strength of an applicant's application also can have an impact in that someone who is super-outstanding across the board may be more likely to get a waiver than someone with a decently strong application.