DoDMERB/MVA Process Questions

[MDDad2027]

New member here; I came across this great forum a few weeks ago. Thank you all for posting the very helpful information and insights!

If have two questions with respect to the DoDMERB and Medical Waiver Authority (MWA) process:

My DS is applying to the Class of '27 and received notification from DoDMERB earlier this week that he "does not meet medical standards." Based on the documentation attached to the DoDMERB letter, I understand that the Admissions Office will only forward his exam file to the MWA if they consider him "competitive for an offer of appointment." My first question is, does the Admissions Office automatically forward everyone's file to the MWA for review if they are deemed competitive or is there a selective forwarding (ie. only those with the most competitive admissions files) for review?

My second question; is it advisable to be proactive and send additional medical documentation (e.g. physician's notes providing clarifying information on the conditions that caused the determination) to the DoDMERB office for inclusion in his file or just wait for the MWA to (possibly) request Additional Medical Information (AMI) if his medical file gets to the waiver decision point?

Thanks for any insights that may be out there!

 

[MDRDV]

Q1, it's selective. i.e. there's no point sending a waiver forward if there are other 3Q candidates with higher qualifications on your slate. There are always exceptions.
Q2, it's a guessing game as to what the waiver authority will want to see. Doesn't hurt to send DODMERB info to include in your file. Maybe you'll guess right, maybe they'll want more.

 

[MDDad2027]

Q1, it's selective. i.e. there's no point sending a waiver forward if there are other 3Q candidates with higher qualifications on your slate. There are always exceptions.
Q2, it's a guessing game as to what the waiver authority will want to see. Doesn't hurt to send DODMERB info to include in your file. Maybe you'll guess right, maybe they'll want more.

Thank you for the reply. One follow-up...what is a "3Q candidate"?

 

[Rizak]

Thank you for the reply. One follow-up...what is a "3Q candidate"?

Qualified Medically, Physically (CFA), and Academically. If you win your slate (are the best out of nominations from a specific MOC) and are 3Q then you get an appointment. It is more a term used by West Point, I believe they actually tell people if they are 3Q.

 

[MDRDV]

Triple qualified. Passed admissions board, passed CFA, passed medical. Basically, good to go for appointment. If admissions requests a waiver I see this as a very good sign. They see a place available where you can be racked and stacked. If no request is made most likely they don't see a place.

 

[OldRetSWO]

Q1, it's selective. i.e. there's no point sending a waiver forward if there are other 3Q candidates with higher qualifications on your slate. There are always exceptions.

Many candidates that do not win their slates do get picked up on a National Basis so it is in the Service Academies best interest to review potential waivers for COMPETITIVE candidates in addition to the slate winners.