Dodmerb disqualifier

slimat55

10-Year Member
5-Year Member
Joined
Feb 9, 2009
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2
Hello All,
I have been searching forums about medical waivers. My son is being recruited by a service Academy for athletics. He currently plays his sport at a very high level.We began the application process Nov.2008. We asked the athletic coach if he was really serious about our son playing for this Academy.Up until this time my son had been very interested in military service, however, we did not believe he would qualify for any Academy so we did not consider this an option.We wish for him to get a degree before entering the military. We have subsequently completed all requirements for application and received a nomination.
My son was diagnosed ADHD January 2007. He is borderline. The psychologist however felt a trial period with medidate would be ok. We made a family decision to do this.This was during his sophomore year. He took medidate only during school hours until Nov.2008 as we had read about possible medical disqualification just prior to beginning his application process. Sure enough DODMERB requested remedials for all info about the ADHD treatment. We have complied. DODMERB should have received materials overnight last week.I am very discouraged by all that has transpired. It now seems in our effort to help our son through a period of his life that was difficult we have hurt his chances with the Academy system.
My son received a letter during this time stating he is academically qualified and is a Hold candidate. We have been speaking with the Academy coach also. He explained the meaning of the letter.He spoke about a prep school. He also sent my son a letter from another athlete who attended the Prep school and is now in the Academy.
I would welcome feedback about this. Does the fact that my son is being recruited by athletics department help with the waiver process? Will the Coach and Admissions be involved in the waiver process at all ? Will DODMERB ask that my son be retested for ADHD? Is the prep school experience worth going through?
I feel very isolated.Every situation is different. Not many parents I know experience this process. We are encouraging our son as best we can to keep up academically and athletically and also with his leadership responsibilities.He is HS team captain. We believe he is taking this very seriously. He wants to proceed so far. The prep school option is worrisome to him as he will be loosing his training for a whole year. We do understand athletics is secondary. We truly believe he would be an outstanding asset to the Academy and would thrive in this environment. I am assuming parents are totally out of the process though.
 
The prep school option is worrisome to him as he will be loosing his training for a whole year. We do understand athletics is secondary.

Not sure what prep school or academy you are refering to, but as far as athletics are concerned he won't be losing a year of training by going to a prep school, espcially if it is the academy-specific prep school.


Athletics don't always come second. Here at Navy it is a third of our mission: developing midshipmen morally mentally and physically.

I wish your son the best of luck with DODMERB!
 
Hello Navy Clarinet

Well, you will not believe this, but my other child is a clarinet in the Marching Virginians at Virginia Tech!!! Yeah Nets!!!!!
Back to the prep school issue. I did not want to disclose too much info about where my son is applying and what their prep school program consists of. Let's just say it is not anywhere near the Academy he wishes to attend.It is in a very isolated location. If the Academy is using this prep school to weed out people it is a great place.
 
I still say the prep school is not a wasted year. I know it seems like it now, but it will give him a leg up when he does go to the academy.

I could be wrong on this, but i'm pretty sure that DODMERB still has to approve you for even that.

Good Luck.
 
I still say the prep school is not a wasted year. I know it seems like it now, but it will give him a leg up when he does go to the academy.

I could be wrong on this, but i'm pretty sure that DODMERB still has to approve you for even that.

Good Luck.

yes to be a sponsored Prep DODmerb has to qualify you....
 
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It is in a very isolated location. If the Academy is using this prep school to weed out people it is a great place.

I am sure you would agree that it would be rather difficult to have a prep school convenient to each student throughout the entire country. Most SA prep programs have an extremely high success rate. Perhaps the isolation minimizes distractions.
 
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