How does the medical turnback work?

[momofhopeful]

What if a child is turned back at I day or during BCT? How does that work? Do they get to "automatically" return with the next class as long as they are medically qualified or do you have to go through the whole process again? What types of things do they do at the I day physical? My son is showing some signs of a sore knee from all of the working out. Could this be a reason to turn him back at I day or during BCT? This is making me really nervous now as he doesn't have any back up plan. He didn't apply anywhere else other than the AFA. Help!

 

[MullenLE]

I will have a more comprehensive reply after I research USAFA's position. Your question covers two different areas....Admissions and Medical

 

[momofhopeful]

Thank you. Any help and insight will be greatly appreciated.

 

[MullenLE]

The wheels R already in motion to get an accuate answer

 

[MullenLE]

I was traveling most of the day today. I've already received the bulk of the answer from Admissions and the medcial side of the house. I just need to ascertain from the Commandant's side. Will try and obtain tomorrow.

 

[MullenLE]

I cleared this response thru the Offices of Admissions, USAFA Surgeon, and Commandant of Cadets

1. If the applicant is determined to be medically unfit at in-processing, he/she would have to reapply for admission to USAFA. USAFA Admissions would abbreviate the application process (not require a new CFA, ALO interview, or teacher evals). He/she would be required to obtain another nomination, earn Cs or better in college courses, be medically cleared by DoDMERB, stay out of trouble… As long as he/she does that, we’d reappoint him/her. (USAFA typically see 1 or 2 each year who are sent home at in-processing for being medically unfit (last minute injuries, illnesses, conditions…or failure to disclose those issues during their DoDMERB process OR post-DoDMERB medical qualification/USAFA waiver))

2. If he/she is determined to be medically qualified at in-processing but then aggravates the injury, then he would be a medical turn-back; sent home; and would be in a leave without pay status. Meaning, if he/she is medically cleared, he/she would join the next years’ class without having to reapply.

3. I hope this satisfactorily answers your questions.

 

[momofhopeful]

Thank you so much. Yes, that clears it up well. As an aside, do you know what types of medical evaluations are done on I-day? It doesn't seem like they would have much time to do a very indepth medical evaluation when they have over 1200 people to see in one day.

 

[MullenLE]

Over the first few days, a comprehensive medcial and optometric screening and records review will be performed on all cadet candidates. Those folks that require the attention of a physician or Optometrist, will be evaluated by them. A comprehensive dental screening will also be accomplished on all incoming cadet candidates, but I'm not sure of the time sequencing. That may take a few weeks or more.

 

[USNAp]

Mr. Mullen can I presume the same sort of process applies at the USNA and USMA?

thank you

PS do not have a specific situation so please do not spend a lot of time on this. Just curious if there is differences on this for the different SAs. When I was visiting USNA, I saw a plebe squad come out of the swimming pool area. One plebe was on crutches. She was struggling to keep up. Her class mates were carrying her stuff. Our escort indicated if she could not physically complete plebe year due to an injury that happened in plebe summer she would be sent back to the next class.

 

[MullenLE]

Similar type indoctrinations occur at all Service Academies. The insitituions (comprised of Medical Personnel/Admissions/Commandant of Cadets/Midshipmen) make decisions when candidates sustain an injury, illness, etc, that will prevent them from successfully completing training. Those decisions to remain and train or leave the Academy are individually based on the individual circumstances.

 

[Mamalama]

Hopping onto an older conversation in hopes that we can get some guidance. Our DD is a Basic Cadet in the class of 2021. However she has fractures a bone and now requires surgery. She was given several options (quit and go home, stay--tho not recommended because she needs surgery, or be a medical turnback). She still wants to be at AFA, so she selected the medical turnback. All of us initially understood that this was a guaranteed a lot in the next class, pending medical clearance. However, on a brief call home tonight my DD tells me she was counseled that, while she is a "shoe-in," she would have to reapply. She said she got a whole spiel about how important it is that she keep up her college grades because it's a slot that other kids would want.

I am finding the different things she is hearing confusing. Of course, we do plan to to get her into some classes as best we can while she is recovering. But we don't even know what to expect right now.

Is this really correct? Medical turn backs must fully reapply?

 

[Cybermarv]

Hopping onto an older conversation in hopes that we can get some guidance. Our DD is a Basic Cadet in the class of 2021. However she has fractures a bone and now requires surgery. She was given several options (quit and go home, stay--tho not recommended because she needs surgery, or be a medical turnback). She still wants to be at AFA, so she selected the medical turnback. All of us initially understood that this was a guaranteed a lot in the next class, pending medical clearance. However, on a brief call home tonight my DD tells me she was counseled that, while she is a "shoe-in," she would have to reapply. She said she got a whole spiel about how important it is that she keep up her college grades because it's a slot that other kids would want.

I am finding the different things she is hearing confusing. Of course, we do plan to to get her into some classes as best we can while she is recovering. But we don't even know what to expect right now.

Is this really correct? Medical turn backs must fully reapply?