Know Anyone Who's Ever Received a Waiver for a Peanut Allergy?

jc40

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My son recently discovered he received a DQ because he's allergic to peanuts. It's been frustrating because he has nominations for all three academies (a primary for West Point, competitive for USNA and USAFA). Have anyone of you every heard of a candidate getting a waiver for a peanut allergy? If so, do you know what steps he/she took to help facilitate the process?
 
If you discover how to get a waiver send me a PM. I have a second child with the same and would like to know if this is possible.
 
My son recently discovered he received a DQ because he's allergic to peanuts. It's been frustrating because he has nominations for all three academies (a primary for West Point, competitive for USNA and USAFA). Have anyone of you every heard of a candidate getting a waiver for a peanut allergy? If so, do you know what steps he/she took to help facilitate the process?

Has he been cleared by DoDMERB?
 
I believe there is someone on the forum named Larry Mullen (excuse me if I got the name wrong) that could help you out as he works for dodmerb.


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My son recently discovered he received a DQ because he's allergic to peanuts. It's been frustrating because he has nominations for all three academies (a primary for West Point, competitive for USNA and USAFA). Have anyone of you every heard of a candidate getting a waiver for a peanut allergy? If so, do you know what steps he/she took to help facilitate the process?

Has he been cleared by DoDMERB?
No, he was DQd by DoDMERB because of the peanut allergy.
 
I believe there is someone on the forum named Larry Mullen (excuse me if I got the name wrong) that could help you out as he works for dodmerb.


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I don't think Larry Mullen is still on the Forums, that was a few years back.
 
Larry Mullen left years ago. Additionally what you need to understand is DoDMERB DQs and the commissioning source waives. In this case your DS by DoDMERB did not meet the standards set forth, hence the DQ. It is now up to the medical board for USMA to review the records and make a reckon.
 
I know this is disheartening news. But know this: for the next 12 years (at least), your son will be eating institutional food. It would be very difficult to monitor that he does not consume peanuts/peanut oil/peanut by-products. I don't recall seeing food allergy waivers...but I imagine I could have missed some in the last 7 years that I've followed this page.
 
I know this is disheartening news. But know this: for the next 12 years (at least), your son will be eating institutional food. It would be very difficult to monitor that he does not consume peanuts/peanut oil/peanut by-products. I don't recall seeing food allergy waivers...but I imagine I could have missed some in the last 7 years that I've followed this page.
We just returned from my son's overnight visit and during the parent tour, the cadet pointed out that there is peanut butter and jelly on the dining hall tables at all times so that cadets always can make a PB&J if they don't like what's being served. If the allergy is severe, I would think that would be a problem.
 
I believe he stopped posting and helping on the forums when he took a new position there. I think he was instrumental in making DODMERB much more accessible then it was in years past. You could never really reach out to DODMERB for help or clarification. Now they have a help line and are much more responsive then they used to be, due in great part to Mr Mullen. He was very very helpful here, and is missed, but I think he took what he was doing here and now does that at DODMERB where he can help a larger number of candidates.
 
I have a minor peanut allergy (no medication required, just a food I avoid) and I manage to get a waiver for Army ROTC (Not USMA but same service). I can't guarantee anything but I wouldn't say it's a kiss of death. Just look out for remedials and complete them in a timely manner, all you can do.
 
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The issues you're going to encounter is that USMA will have to ask DODMERB to initiate a waiver. You cannot ask them to do it, nor will DODMERB do it of their own accord. USMA will have to find your son to be compelling enough as a candidate to press for a waiver.
 
Larry Mullen stopped visiting these boards in large part when the DODMERB Helpline was established. Now, rather than one person trying to answer questions in hw free time, there is a dedicated team of folks who do this as their FT job.

The way waivers work (as I understand it) for all SAs is that, if DODMERB issues a DQ, a waiver request is automatically generated. The determination of whether to grant a waiver is made by medical personnel at the SA. However, due to resource issues, they typically don't review/pursue that waiver unless/until the candidate is likely to be offered an appointment.

Not sure if this option is available for USMA but if it is, you might contact the medical contact person in Admissions and ask them whether a peanut allergy is likely to be waiverable.
 
How severe is your son's allergy? Does he require an Epi pen? If so, there's no way this will be waivered. I'm not trying to be harsh, but trying to give you a picture of the reality here.
 
How severe is your son's allergy? Does he require an Epi pen? If so, there's no way this will be waivered. I'm not trying to be harsh, but trying to give you a picture of the reality here.

That's not a great criterion. I went to USMA with several people who carried epi pens for bee stings.
 
Well, if I'm wrong, it won't be the first time :cool:. Maybe it depends on how good of a football player the allergic person is.:rolleyes:
 
Thank you all for the replies. We're pursuing additional medical testing in an effort to provide further documentation to support the claim his allergy is not severe/anaphylactic. I suppose that's all that really can be done.
 
Jc it may be possible to find an allergy specialist physician or something similar. They could probably run some test and give you solid feedback or a note outlining the severity of the allergy. It would defiantly be worth it as the way I see it, 200, 300, or even one thousand dollars for a specialist is better than a lifetime of missed opportunities and free education.


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