Hi, I recently was accepted into USCGA for class of 2027, but was unfortunately medically disqualified. I am currently under waiver review, but I am considering applying to the Naval Academy next year if I do not get the waiver from the Coast Guard. I was wondering if there is anyway to start the DODMERB process for Navy, or any of the other branches, before I am accepted into the academy instead of waiting until after I am accepted. I have heard that the Coast Guard branch is one of the most medically selective branches, so that is why I am considering applying to other branches to see if they will accept me.
DODMERB Process for the Naval Academy
- Thread starter mela930
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So, if I were to be completely disqualified and not receive a waiver, would I not be eligible for any other academy/branch?
To my knowledge waivers are by commissioning source. USCGA may not issue a waiver, but USNA may. USNA may issue a waiver but NROTC may not.
You get DQ'd by DODMERB. The service issues waivers.
I don't believe you can get ahead in the process for next year's application. Because you were medically disqualified you would need to go through the process again when you become a candidate. You might be disqualified again for the same reason though that would depend upon the reason and whether timing of an injury, recovery from an injury, or timing of medication had been the issue. Then, if medically disqualified again, you would be reviewed for waivers by each commissioning source. DODMERB generally does not do pre-qualification for a future candidate though it is correct that if you were medically qualified, it would be good for two years as long as you did not have any new medical issues arise that were disqualifying.
So, the answer to your second question is "no."
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The medical accession standard is the same for all SAs. A DQ for one would be DQ’ed at another or in ROTC. The only time I think that might change is if it’s a time-related DQ, i.e., so much time after a medication was stopped or a surgical recovery or similar.
Waiver policies differ across the services and commissioning programs. Different missions, operating environments, gear, equipment, etc.
DoDMERB results are good for 2 years from the date of the exam. The applicant must update medical history with any injuries or illnesses. All “client” commissioning programs have access to the exam results when requested by them.
See:
Previous Candidates & College Candidates
Previous Candidates and College Candidates page for Admissions at USNA.edu. Updated Tue Jun 24 20:22:11 EDT 2025.
www.usna.edu
Some DQs are seldom, if ever, waivered. Some are frequently waivered. Some have caps on the number of waivers for certain DQs. For example, USNA only waivers a tiny handful of colorblind applicants every year; they are not allowed to go into certain career fields such as aviation, submarines, etc., and are told what Restricted Line or Staff Corps communities they will be allowed to enter when they are offered an appointment. Marine ground is also a potential option, I believe.
You may want to have a candid discussion with USNA Admissions about your situation, if a USCGA waiver does not come through.
Good luck with your USCGA waiver!
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The reason why I was medically disqualified, was for seeing a therapist over 4 years ago for an eating disorder. I have never been on medication, or been admitted into a hospital for it either. I was never medically considered underweight, although I did loose some weight before I received the treatment. All of my current/past doctors think that I am perfectly fine/healthy to serve, and I was also recruited to Row at USCGA as well. I have also seen that if there are changes in your condition, then potentially there are ways to receive qualification or waivers from there, If you are completely rejected at first. But my "condition" isn't going to change since I haven't had issues since I had received and successfully went through treatment, so I'm really not sure what else to do.
Thank youThe medical accession standard is the same for all SAs. A DQ for one would be DQ’ed at another or in ROTC. The only time I think that might change is if it’s a time-related DQ, i.e., so much time after a medication was stopped or a surgical recovery or similar.
Waiver policies differ across the services and commissioning programs. Different missions, operating environments, gear, equipment, etc.
DoDMERB results are good for 2 years from the date of the exam. The applicant must update medical history with any injuries or illnesses. All “client” commissioning programs have access to the exam results when requested by them.
See:
Previous Candidates & College Candidates
Previous Candidates and College Candidates page for Admissions at USNA.edu. Updated Tue Jun 24 20:22:11 EDT 2025.www.usna.edu
Some DQs are seldom, if ever, waivered. Some are frequently waivered. Some have caps on the number of waivers for certain DQs. For example, USNA only waivers a tiny handful of colorblind applicants every year; they are not allowed to go into certain career fields such as aviation, submarines, etc., and are told what Restricted Line or Staff Corps communities they will be allowed to enter when they are offered an appointment. Marine ground is also a potential option, I believe.
You may want to have a candid discussion with USNA Admissions about your situation, if a USCGA waiver does not come through.
Good luck with your USCGA waiver!
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The first thing you do, is wait and see what happens with USCGA. And tend to alternate plans, should an appointment not come this year.
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I appreciate your candor and am glad you have healthy body weight and good insight into the condition.
Civilian doctors’ assessments of your fitness to serve in the military do not carry much weight, unfortunately. The SAs are pressure cookers, and active duty service can occur in remote locations, far from advanced medical care, with unrelenting stress, which can trigger all kinds of things that might remain dormant in the civilian world.
I would see where you are with the USCGA waiver. If it’s not the news you are looking for, then you can re-group. I don’t know which of the SAs is more generous with eating disorder waivers. Please don’t let that be your sole deciding factor for applying again. It is very important to consider the officer communities available to you post-commissioning, and the culture of each service.
Keep us posted.
Civilian doctors’ assessments of your fitness to serve in the military do not carry much weight, unfortunately. The SAs are pressure cookers, and active duty service can occur in remote locations, far from advanced medical care, with unrelenting stress, which can trigger all kinds of things that might remain dormant in the civilian world.
I would see where you are with the USCGA waiver. If it’s not the news you are looking for, then you can re-group. I don’t know which of the SAs is more generous with eating disorder waivers. Please don’t let that be your sole deciding factor for applying again. It is very important to consider the officer communities available to you post-commissioning, and the culture of each service.
Keep us posted.
That makes sense, I can understand why they wouldn't take civilian doctors assessments into too much consideration. You're definitely right, I will wait on the waiver from USCGA and keep you guys posted!
I guess my next question would be, do you know of any cases where after a certain amount of time where the applicant has no treatment and are in healthy condition, are allowed to serve? Because I'm wondering if perhaps not this year, maybe in later years where more time has passed since my treatment, I would be potentially allowed to serve/attend USCGA or USNA.