DS is triple qualified at AFA and received a medical waiver rather quickly there, but was just notified by phone that USMA requested a waiver and it was denied. Curious, as he really wants to attend USNA and has two nominations, academically qualified, etc. Is there anything else he can do to make sure this medical DQ from DODMEB doesn't disqualify him there? A letter possibly from the physician who treated and released him? The regional from USMA was quite surprised he was waivered by AFA and denied by USMA? Any feedback? Thanks much!
DS waivered at AFA, denied due to Medical at USMA, anything he can do to improve appointment at USNA
- Thread starter tucker3
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The Services have different missions, hence different waiver thresholds. What might be waived by one Service may not be by another.
If you were willing to share the general nature of the DA, other posters might have insights for USNA.
If you were willing to share the general nature of the DA, other posters might have insights for USNA.
Head injury, but was completely treated and cleared and has had no residual affects...injury occurred playing football.
Old Navy BGO
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It sounds like you have already submitted any additional information DODMERB has requested...now its in the hands of each individual Service Academy whether to grant a waiver. As CAPT MJ says, each Service has its own standards and requirements, and makes its own waiver decisions.
usna1985
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I don't understand this. I can only speak for USNA, but USNA is the one who decides whether to grant a waiver. DODMERB only qualifies/disqualifies. If they DQ, the SA must decide whether to waive that DQ -- IOW, a waiver decision is in the hands of each SA/ROTC program and not in the hands of DODMERB.
It could be that USMA decided on a turndown for other reasons and therefore decided not to evaluate your DS for a waiver. Or it could be that USMA doesn't waive this particular condition, period. The foregoing are only guesses as I don't know USMA's process.
Either way, it has no impact on what USNA will do.
humblebeginnings
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My DD is USMA 2021. DODMED did ask for additional info on her last year because she was concussed playing basketball. In my opinion, some would consider it a mild concussion as she was cleared to play 7 to 10 days after incident. DODMED reviewed the supplemental information and decided she was fine. My guess is that it also depends on the severity of the head trauma along with the amount of time from injury date.
GoCubbies
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I agree. It is very odd the USAFA granted the waiver but not the USMA.
The USAFA has a large majority of personnel on flight status and a history of head injury is DQ for all flying classes. In other words, by the USAFA granting the waiver for your DS for a history of head injury, the service is already taking out a option (e.g. pilot, navigator, etc) for him if he were to go into the USAF. Granted, he'd probably get a waiver since it occurred when he was a child (my assumption).
The concerns for head injury are 1) relative risk of seizures and 2) residual neurocognitive defects. Studies have shown the relative risk of seizures for someone with a mild head injury (again, my assumption in your case because the waiver for the USAFA was granted) is higher for 5 years after the event compared to the general population. When did the event occur?
The other issue is residual cognitive defects. Another assumption, by the mere fact your DS has applied to the SAs tells me he has done well in HS and that suggests no cognitive issues.
It's hard to say which way the USNA will go since you got thumbs up from the USAFA but thumbs down for the USMA. My gut tells me it'll be close because from my experience the USN has generally been tougher with medical qualifications than the Army.
The USAFA has a large majority of personnel on flight status and a history of head injury is DQ for all flying classes. In other words, by the USAFA granting the waiver for your DS for a history of head injury, the service is already taking out a option (e.g. pilot, navigator, etc) for him if he were to go into the USAF. Granted, he'd probably get a waiver since it occurred when he was a child (my assumption).
The concerns for head injury are 1) relative risk of seizures and 2) residual neurocognitive defects. Studies have shown the relative risk of seizures for someone with a mild head injury (again, my assumption in your case because the waiver for the USAFA was granted) is higher for 5 years after the event compared to the general population. When did the event occur?
The other issue is residual cognitive defects. Another assumption, by the mere fact your DS has applied to the SAs tells me he has done well in HS and that suggests no cognitive issues.
It's hard to say which way the USNA will go since you got thumbs up from the USAFA but thumbs down for the USMA. My gut tells me it'll be close because from my experience the USN has generally been tougher with medical qualifications than the Army.
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I had the same thought as GoCubbies when I saw this, but avoided commenting since I am not a Dr and know little about concussions. However, if OP wants to attend USNA /USAFA with goal of being a pilot, it would be prudent to determine if the concussion history is DQ for flight. There are several medical conditions that while may be qualifying or waiverable for Admissions to a Service Academy , preclude certain Service Selections in the future.