DQ’d for AFROTC, is OTS an option?

[76momm]

DS is a sophomore at The Citadel and was medically DQ’d for AFROTC due to eczema (prescribed a cream once, saw a 2nd dermatologist that said it was only dry skin, nevertheless, no waiver). He was told he could enlist since the AF has relaxed their standard on eczema. If someone could explain why he is DQ’d for commissioning through ROTC but not to enlist, I would be grateful. Also, could he, after graduating from college, look to pursue the officer path through OTS? Or would he be DQ’d for that as well? Thanks for any input!

 

[kinnem]

Moving this to DoDMERB forum, since it's likely to get more, and more expert, attention there.

 

[76momm]

Moving this to DoDMERB forum, since it's likely to get more, and more expert, attention there.

Thank you

 

[AROTC-dad]

I can't speak to AFROTC, but Army ROTC does consider eczema cases for waivers. AF has historically been tough about eczema. Has your DS considered switching to AROTC?

If not, he should speak to the ROO at The Citadel. Here is contact info:
http://www.citadel.edu/root/army-rotc-prospective-students

Here are some past threads on the topic:
https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/eczema-dq.52863/
https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/dqd-for-eczema-i-dont-actually-have.53320/
https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/new-eczema-guidelines.53171/

Here is an Army document that shows all conditions not waiverable. Eczema does not appear to be one of them.
https://www.jmu.edu/rotc/prospective-cadets/Non-waiverable medical conditions.pdf

 

[76momm]

I can't speak to AFROTC, but Army ROTC does consider eczema cases for waivers. AF has historically been tough about eczema. Has your DS considered switching to AROTC?

If not, he should speak to the ROO at The Citadel. Here is contact info:
http://www.citadel.edu/root/army-rotc-prospective-students

Here are some past threads on the topic:
https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/eczema-dq.52863/
https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/dqd-for-eczema-i-dont-actually-have.53320/
https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/new-eczema-guidelines.53171/

Here is an Army document that shows all conditions not waiverable. Eczema does not appear to be one of them.
https://www.jmu.edu/rotc/prospective-cadets/Non-waiverable medical conditions.pdf

Thanks so much for the info!

 

[76momm]

I can't speak to AFROTC, but Army ROTC does consider eczema cases for waivers. AF has historically been tough about eczema. Has your DS considered switching to AROTC?

If not, he should speak to the ROO at The Citadel. Here is contact info:
http://www.citadel.edu/root/army-rotc-prospective-students

Here are some past threads on the topic:
https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/eczema-dq.52863/
https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/dqd-for-eczema-i-dont-actually-have.53320/
https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/new-eczema-guidelines.53171/

Here is an Army document that shows all conditions not waiverable. Eczema does not appear to be one of them.
https://www.jmu.edu/rotc/prospective-cadets/Non-waiverable medical conditions.pdf

DS is considering switching to AROTC this semester. His DoDMERB exam from when he applied to a SA is over two years old and has expired. Would he start the medical exam process over again? Or with ROTC do you have the exam only if you are offered a scholarship?
Also, with the late start to AROTC, will he attend CIET this summer? And is there a medical exam he needs to pass for that as well?

 

[AROTC-dad]

Would he start the medical exam process over again?

Yes. If it has been two years, he would begin a new DoDMERB exam.

Or with ROTC do you have the exam only if you are offered a scholarship?

You need to pass DoDMERB in order to be offered a contract OR a scholarship. You need one of these to reach the advanced course (MS-III), although the rules may be different at an SMC. Nonetheless, you NEED to pass DoDMERB in order to commission.

Also, with the late start to AROTC, will he attend CIET this summer?

This is up to the PMS at his college. If the PMS feels he needs to catch up and the AF classes were not equivalent, he could send him to Basic Camp (formerly CIET). I am not sure if you need DoDMERB to attend Basic Camp. Have your DS ask the PMS or ROO at The Citadel.

 

[Humey]

DS is a sophomore at The Citadel and was medically DQ’d for AFROTC due to eczema (prescribed a cream once, saw a 2nd dermatologist that said it was only dry skin, nevertheless, no waiver). He was told he could enlist since the AF has relaxed their standard on eczema. If someone could explain why he is DQ’d for commissioning through ROTC but not to enlist, I would be grateful. Also, could he, after graduating from college, look to pursue the officer path through OTS? Or would he be DQ’d for that as well? Thanks for any input!

These stories always drive me crazy. There are people with much worse issues getting waivers and yet when a Doctor for the sake of ease and a way to give a clinical diagnosis writes down that a person has eczema. Same holds true for asthma. We have family friends whose kid had the flu (along with half the kids in school) and as he wasnt feeling well and had some weazing, went to the doctor. Instead of writing down he has weazing, the doctor wrote he has asthma. Basically after seeing the kid for 5 minutes he had a asthma diagnosis. Never took the inhaler he was prescibed and it all went away within a week. Now it didnt make any difference because the kid wasnt in Rotc but if he had been he would have been screwed over.

 

[76momm]

DS switched to AROTC as a second semester sophomore. He repeated the DoDMERB in March as his previous exam had expired. He was disqualified again and sent in all the info requested for a waiver. He just found out this week that he has been granted a medical waiver!!!