DODMERB Waiver Questions

[Army2022Hopeful]

Hello all,

I have recently been awarded a 4 year Army ROTC scholarship to VMI, UMD College Park, and VT. I have accepted the offer to UMD and hope to be a cadet in the terrapin battalion next year. Since I am also applying to the service academies, my medical has already been sent in to DODMERB. I have been deemed medically disqualified by DODMERB due to a mild case of amblyopia in my left eye, causing 20/25 distant (corrected) vision, diplopia, and a failure of the depth perception exam (in that specific eye). My other eye is within qualified limits. Both USAFA and Army ROTC currently say "pending waiver review by [military agency]". My question is, approximately how long will it take for each one to review my waiver request and make a decision? I understand this process varies from person to person, but at this early stage, is the process any faster for 1st board scholarship recipients? Is the Army generally more lenient when it comes to giving out vision medical waivers than the other branches?

In addition, has anyone here been granted a waiver for similar medical conditions, or know someone who has? It would be reassuring to know that this is a problem that has been waived by some branch of the military before.

I know I asked a lot of questions, but any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Army2022Hopeful]

Just got an update! AROTC just approved my medical waiver! I checked right after I posted this discussion!

 

[Day-Tripper]

Just got an update! AROTC just approved my medical waiver! I checked right after I posted this discussion!

Congratulations future-2nd looey Army2022Hopeful.

Glad you're question was resolved by the Army without our input.

Good luck on a great college experience, Army service and overall life.

 

[Army2022Hopeful]

Just got an update! AROTC just approved my medical waiver! I checked right after I posted this discussion!

Congratulations future-2nd looey Army2022Hopeful.

Glad you're question was resolved by the Army without our input.

Good luck on a great college experience, Army service and overall life.

Thank you! I am so excited to begin this journey, and am grateful to have this opportunity to serve.

 

[Day-Tripper]

Just got an update! AROTC just approved my medical waiver! I checked right after I posted this discussion!

Congratulations future-2nd looey Army2022Hopeful.

Glad you're question was resolved by the Army without our input.

Good luck on a great college experience, Army service and overall life.

Thank you! I am so excited to begin this journey, and am grateful to have this opportunity to serve.

You've earned a 4 year scholarship from Uncle Sam, so you must have something going for you. It's we citizens who should thank you for choosing to give something of yourself (i.e. at least 4 years active duty ordering around enlisted personnel).

Give 'em hell, Army2022Hopeful.

 

[brob]

Congratulations! Don't worry about service academy not approving your waiver. My DD just finished her first semester in AROTC and is having the best of both worlds: military training and learning opportunities plus a traditional college experience. She never had academy hopes, but compared to what she has heard about it, she thinks her life is perfect for her. She won a four-year scholarship and her university also pays room and board. She has excelled in her major and in ROTC her first semester, is doing university international service trip next summer and was also selected for CULP to Peru. She has a wonderful, supportive junior-year mentor in her major, is in the best physical shape of her life, and has money in the bank from the Army already - it couldn't get much better.