Food allergy vs. food sensitivity/ROTC & WP

[solon]

Late summer I decided not to pursue WP. I am seeking an ROTC scholarship at VMI and U of Mich. I had my physical mid summer for WP. After I cured a remedial I found out they were going to DQ me for "food allergies". I have seen an allergist since then for the skin & blood test and it's just "food sensitivity". I didn't know this when I declared my issue with carrots on my medical form. Sometimes my ears itch a little after eating raw, unpeeled carrots. There is NO life threatening food allergy and certainly not to carrots or anything else. Now I am in the waiver line for food allergies. Two questions: 1) I have been told my file is ready for the Oct ROTC board. Could I have a waiver in time? I have a long letter and test results from this allergist, (tests paid for by my parents), 2) Will the ROTC board know I was DQ'ed for WP through DoDMERB? I think I'm a fairly competitive candidate for VMI and U of Mich. 29-ACT, 3.6 unweighted college prep high school, some college credits & AP, lots of leadership, music, rifle, running, good score on President's Fitness, interview went well. My status just changed today to DQ on the DoDMERB website and I don't have a letter of instructions for the waiver process. HELP ME, PLEASE!

I looked at the DodMERB site again and it says: "Agency-USMA". Will the ROTC board request their own medical? How does this work?

 

[debcst]

Hi Solon,

Not an expert here, just a mom assisting my son as he navigates the same process. A couple of thoughts that might help, though:
-DODMERB determines whether you are qualified or not; sounds like they have decided you are disqualified. One exam works for everyone- you won't need to redo for ROTC.
-after that, each commissioning source decides whether to seek a waiver on your behalf. If ROTC decides to do so, their own doctors will review all your records, perhaps seek additional tests or info, and make a determination. This can take months.
-ROTC doesn't even begin this process until scholarships have been awarded

So no, you won't have or need a waiver before your application is evaluated. I doubt the board will even consider your DODMERB status, as most candidates will not even have begun the process.

It is good that your USMA application got you started early with DODMERB as the process can take a long time- you're actually way ahead of things for ROTC.

This chart has been useful to us in visualizing the whole confusing process:

https://dodmerb.tricare.osd.mil/Content/InitExamRemedEvalProc.pdf

Hope this helps!

 

[solon]

Thanks. It actually helps a lot. I'm just concerned that the ROTC board would somehow see that DQ and decide not to consider me, I have looked at the application several times and how I responded. I don't think I would have answered differently. I need to get these apps done and focus on senior year.