DoDMERB

[KIARA1214]

I just want to verify this information:

If an applicant has not heard back from DoDMERB within two weeks of their application submission, should they automatically assume they did not get an appointment?!

 

[KIARA1214]

On their website is says that only people "deemed competitive for an appointment to the academy" or prepatory school will get an email about DoDMERB...within two weeks of their application submission.

 

[HappyClam]

On their website is says that only people "deemed competitive for an appointment to the academy" or prepatory school will get an email about DoDMERB...within two weeks of their application submission.

Hi, KIARA1214--are you saying that you never ever heard anything from DoDMERB and therefore never had a physical, or that you had a physical but have not heard whether or not you're medically qualified? I think you're saying the former, but just want to clarify...

 

[KIARA1214]

On their website is says that only people "deemed competitive for an appointment to the academy" or prepatory school will get an email about DoDMERB...within two weeks of their application submission.

Hi, KIARA1214--are you saying that you never ever heard anything from DoDMERB and therefore never had a physical, or that you had a physical but have not heard whether or not you're medically qualified? I think you're saying the former, but just want to clarify...

I do have a physical however I'm not really sure how they would get that information? As a matter of fact, im not even sure how all of that works with DoDMERB. Do you mind explaining?

 

[5Day]

DoDMERB has you do a physical through one of their physicians along with an eye exam. You also have to complete a health history form. DoDMETS handles the actual assigning of the medical providers and gathers the reports. DoDMERB evaluates the reports. You would get something in the mail, (not sure about USCGA portal notification).

 

[grevar]

I do have a physical however I'm not really sure how they would get that information? As a matter of fact, im not even sure how all of that works with DoDMERB. Do you mind explaining?

Once an Academy deems you are competitive, (any Academy), they will submit your name to DODMERB. DODMERB through DODMETS arranges for your DOD Physical where they will contact you via email, have you register on their site and then assign you to a clinic/physician local to your residence. You will have to go for a physical, eye/vision screening, and hearing test, usually at three different providers. They submit the results back to DODMERB and they determine if you are medically qualified. If you are deemed NOT qualified by DODMERB based on DOD Standards, they will let you and the Academy know and the Academy has the option to seek a waiver for you depending on the disqualifying condition. Some conditions are not waiverable.

The DODMERB Physical works for all five service academies. All who request it will get the results and some academies have different standards like when it comes to color vision deficiencies. For example, if you have any color blindness, you will be DQ'd from sea-going services in most if not all cases. (USNA, USCGA, USMMA)

I hope this makes sense to you. To get back to your original questions, were you notified by DODMERB to register and go for a DOD Physical in your area? If not, you were probably not deemed competitive enough to qualify. If the answer is yes, you can usually check your status on the DODMERB website, and they do (or at least they used to), send you written notification as to whether you are qualified or not.

Best of luck to you.

 

[Wonderfulmom]

We have a friend who went for a physical, found out he was color-blind, and didn't hear anything after that, now the site is down.

 

[KIARA1214]

I do have a physical however I'm not really sure how they would get that information? As a matter of fact, im not even sure how all of that works with DoDMERB. Do you mind explaining?

Once an Academy deems you are competitive, (any Academy), they will submit your name to DODMERB. DODMERB through DODMETS arranges for your DOD Physical where they will contact you via email, have you register on their site and then assign you to a clinic/physician local to your residence. You will have to go for a physical, eye/vision screening, and hearing test, usually at three different providers. They submit the results back to DODMERB and they determine if you are medically qualified. If you are deemed NOT qualified by DODMERB based on DOD Standards, they will let you and the Academy know and the Academy has the option to seek a waiver for you depending on the disqualifying condition. Some conditions are not waiverable.

The DODMERB Physical works for all five service academies. All who request it will get the results and some academies have different standards like when it comes to color vision deficiencies. For example, if you have any color blindness, you will be DQ'd from sea-going services in most if not all cases. (USNA, USCGA, USMMA)

I hope this makes sense to you. To get back to your original questions, were you notified by DODMERB to register and go for a DOD Physical in your area? If not, you were probably not deemed competitive enough to qualify. If the answer is yes, you can usually check your status on the DODMERB website, and they do (or at least they used to), send you written notification as to whether you are qualified or not.

Best of luck to you.

And that's precisely two weeks after you submit your application or?
Thank you for the information.

 

[Idlewild]

Kiara- please make sure you are checking ALL possible inboxes on your email- since this is a new "sender" it has been known to end up in spam/junk folders. Try typing DodMERB or Concorde in your search on email also to see if anything turns up. Have heard from several that the initial email notifying you to register for their physical exams was lost within the applicants email!

 

[grevar]

And that's precisely two weeks after you submit your application or?
Thank you for the information.

No, there is no precise deadline that you will be submitted by any Academy Admissions Department for a DODMERB physical that I know of. Sometimes it is quick, sometimes it will take a few weeks. I've read of them going out in batches. Don't forget, if you've applied for multiple academies, the DODMERB request may come from any one of those schools that deem you a competitive candidate.

 

[believe2023]

We have a friend who went for a physical, found out he was color-blind, and didn't hear anything after that, now the site is down.

My son is colorblind..I was told by the medical office at the USNA and he was also told at a admissions seminar that he could receive a medical waiver, but he would also be commissioned with restrictions. The USNA is his dream, USMA and the USAFA are not as concerned with color-blindness. The USCGA will not accept his application as well as The Merchant Marine Academy. If anyone has any different info please share. Thank you.

 

[Capt MJ]

My son is colorblind..I was told by the medical office at the USNA and he was also told at a admissions seminar that he could receive a medical waiver, but he would also be commissioned with restrictions. The USNA is his dream, USMA and the USAFA are not as concerned with color-blindness. The USCGA will not accept his application as well as The Merchant Marine Academy. If anyone has any different info please share. Thank you.

The Services have different waiver practices because missions and operational needs differ. The navigational aids at sea are the primary concern, hence USCGA and USMMA position. Aviation is also impacted. USNA has a tiny bit more flexibility, because it has the ability to grant a handful of waivers for commission into warfare communities that do not have the full vision requirement due to their nature. If your son gets the waiver, his competition will then be all other colorblind and qualified candidates who have received a waiver. USNA will offer appointments to those who best meet their goals for filling out the class. It is a narrow path.

If your DS is offered an appointment, which will meet his USNA dream, he will have to decide if his overarching dream of serving as a naval officer will be met by serving in the small number of communities available to him.

Google this .pdf (do not have a good phone connection right now):
"Appendix A: Medical considerations for Admissions: United States Naval Academy." It's a document on USNA.edu.

Marine option NROTC might be a good Plan B option to explore, if he can envision himself as a Marine officer. Others can speak more authoritatively to whether this is a viable path, as I am not knowledgeable on the physical standards for MO ROTC.

There are colorblindness threads every year, going back years. Use Search function in USNA and this forum to find them.

 

[believe2023]

The Services have different waiver practices because missions and operational needs differ. The navigational aids at sea are the primary concern, hence USCGA and USMMA position. Aviation is also impacted. USNA has a tiny bit more flexibility, because it has the ability to grant a handful of waivers for commission into warfare communities that do not have the full vision requirement due to their nature. If your son gets the waiver, his competition will then be all other colorblind and qualified candidates who have received a waiver. USNA will offer appointments to those who best meet their goals for filling out the class. It is a narrow path.

If your DS is offered an appointment, which will meet his USNA dream, he will have to decide if his overarching dream of serving as a naval officer will be met by serving in the small number of communities available to him.

Google this .pdf (do not have a good phone connection right now):
"Appendix A: Medical considerations for Admissions: United States Naval Academy." It's a document on USNA.edu.

Marine option NROTC might be a good Plan B option to explore, if he can envision himself as a Marine officer. Others can speak more authoritatively to whether this is a viable path, as I am not knowledgeable on the physical standards for MO ROTC.

There are colorblindness threads every year, going back years. Use Search function in USNA and this forum to find them.

Thank you so much for your help. He is very serious about the USAFA as well. He wants to be an aerospace engineer. We were also told through many service academy reps that based on where we live , he has a better shot of getting a nomination to the USAFA .