Looking for Some Advice

[ThinkingRed]

I wanted to start by acknowledging that it was my own fault for delaying so long in getting through my side of the DoDMERB process. I know I have an auto DQ on my record (asthma after 13th birthday) and the process for getting a waiver for that can take a while (if I get it at all). I have both an AROTC and AFROTC scholarship for the same school but need to select classes in mid-July, meaning I’d need to commit to one branch or the other by then (or by the time class drop/switches are due at the latest).

My worry is that I’ll commit to the “wrong” one and lose out if I only get a waiver from the one I don’t join. So I have a couple questions: #1 lets say that I sign up for the leadership lab and fall semester AFROTC courses (thus committing to AFROTC) would AROTC still continue working on my waiver so in case I don’t get it from AF, I still might get it for army? And #2, lets say that I do end up getting a waiver from army but it’s too late to change into AROTC, could I switch to taking AROTC courses and still commission into the army (I’m not too concerned about the scholarship tbh, just that I’ll be able to still commission).

Finally, ik that the air force is currently pinching down on the high school scholarships for AFROTC. Is that making waivers harder to get this year?

Any advice or insight would be highly appreciated!

 

[EJF]

I wanted to start by acknowledging that it was my own fault for delaying so long in getting through my side of the DoDMERB process. I know I have an auto DQ on my record (asthma after 13th birthday) and the process for getting a waiver for that can take a while (if I get it at all). I have both an AROTC and AFROTC scholarship for the same school but need to select classes in mid-July, meaning I’d need to commit to one branch or the other by then (or by the time class drop/switches are due at the latest).

My worry is that I’ll commit to the “wrong” one and lose out if I only get a waiver from the one I don’t join. So I have a couple questions: #1 lets say that I sign up for the leadership lab and fall semester AFROTC courses (thus committing to AFROTC) would AROTC still continue working on my waiver so in case I don’t get it from AF, I still might get it for army? And #2, lets say that I do end up getting a waiver from army but it’s too late to change into AROTC, could I switch to taking AROTC courses and still commission into the army (I’m not too concerned about the scholarship tbh, just that I’ll be able to still commission).

Finally, ik that the air force is currently pinching down on the high school scholarships for AFROTC. Is that making waivers harder to get this year?

Any advice or insight would be highly appreciated!

Congratulations on your scholarships! You have a lot going on here to think about. First of all have you accepted either scholarship? There is a deadline for that. Once you accept, I do not think the other branch will continue to work on your waiver. Someone else may have different information. Each branch has different missions and their ROTC programs can be quite different as far as leadership lab, PT etc.so be sure you are comfortable with either option. If your primary goal is to serve and commission, but not necessarily branch specific, you may find that AROTC is more likely to approve your waiver. This is not a guarantee, but they have been known to give more waivers, likely because their needs are greater at this time. I do know of some AFROTC students that were on scholarships and did not get field training slots for their Junior year this year and their scholarships have now ended. You should be able to make the switch between the two programs, but the sooner the better, and you would still need the waiver. Hopefully someone else can advise you on that process. AFROTC tends to make decisions a little quicker, AROTC can be a little longer. My son (Rising MSII) just went through the waiver process with AROTC this year for something similar, his waiver was granted about 3 weeks ago. You are welcome to message me if you have any specific questions.

 

[ThinkingRed]

Thank you so much for responding! I have accepted both scholarships since I thought I was able to do that but I’d just be removed from the program I end up not doing in August. Is that still the case?

I’ve been seeing some things about taking the methacholine challenge test or a spirometry test. Which one did you son do?

 

[Ryder70]

We went through the same ordeal with a asthma waiver through AROTC and did every test that they offered including Spirometry, Methacholine, treadmill heart rate test and a test where you do a spirometer while in a pressure regulated chamber. We figured give them all the data possible.

 

[EJF]

Thank you so much for responding! I have accepted both scholarships since I thought I was able to do that but I’d just be removed from the program I end up not doing in August. Is that still the case?

I’ve been seeing some things about taking the methacholine challenge test or a spirometry test. Which one did you son do?

I'm not familiar with the option to accept both. My Son only applied for AROTC and received the scholarship for that. In that case they may both be following up on your waiver. I would think having an honest conversation with the recruiting officer at each ROTC program might be in your best interest as you will be needing to make a choice soon it seems. You can let them know about your waiver and they can usually check on it on their end. They only asked for a PFT with bronchodilator challenge which he passed with no problems. He was also asked to submit all treatment records regarding Asthma and had to consult with a Pulmonologist, who also had to review his PFT. He was never diagnosed with Asthma, but had used an inhaler occasionally when he had a cold. The did not ask for any additional testing. I would suggest as you go through the process only submit what they specifically ask for. If you haven't already began to collect copies of your medical records, reach out to any Doctors you have seen regarding these situations especially and request copies. It can take up to 30 days for them to send them to you. The Waiver Authority will not accept your downloads from the patient portal, it needs to come from the records Department at your physicians office. May I ask where you are currently in the DoDMerb process?

 

[ThinkingRed]

I'm not familiar with the option to accept both. My Son only applied for AROTC and received the scholarship for that. In that case they may both be following up on your waiver. I would think having an honest conversation with the recruiting officer at each ROTC program might be in your best interest as you will be needing to make a choice soon it seems. You can let them know about your waiver and they can usually check on it on their end. They only asked for a PFT with bronchodilator challenge which he passed with no problems. He was also asked to submit all treatment records regarding Asthma and had to consult with a Pulmonologist, who also had to review his PFT. He was never diagnosed with Asthma, but had used an inhaler occasionally when he had a cold. The did not ask for any additional testing. I would suggest as you go through the process only submit what they specifically ask for. If you haven't already began to collect copies of your medical records, reach out to any Doctors you have seen regarding these situations especially and request copies. It can take up to 30 days for them to send them to you. The Waiver Authority will not accept your downloads from the patient portal, it needs to come from the records Department at your physicians office. May I ask where you are currently in the DoDMerb process?

I will definitely reach out double check with both programs about seeing how the waiver process works in my sistuation!

I just went to my DoDMERB physical last Friday and will be doing the eye exam this coming friday, other than that, nothing has been done, I believe. It took a while to get all my medical records and I’m just trying to see what else I’d need. Thank you!

 

[EJF]

I will definitely reach out double check with both programs about seeing how the waiver process works in my sistuation!

I just went to my DoDMERB physical last Friday and will be doing the eye exam this coming friday, other than that, nothing has been done, I believe. It took a while to get all my medical records and I’m just trying to see what else I’d need. Thank you!

Sounds like you are moving forward with everything so that's good! Once you get all your exams done DoDMERB will review everything and then post any DQ'S to your portal. This can take a few weeks. Just keep an eye on the portal. Because you are a scholarship recipient you will be automatically considered for a waiver. You will eventually receive requests for AMI and probably remedials, which can include things like the pulmonary tests, consults, medical records etc. DodMERB will communicate with you on those appointments and they may not be the same things for AF or Army. Dodmets will provide you with the name of an approved provider that you can schedule with for your remedials. This can take a few days or weeks for them to provide the name of someone. They will pay for those tests and appointments if you use their provider. This is what we elected to do. All these things can can several weeks to get scheduled. Once you have completed everything they asked for and submitted to DodMerb they will then forward on to each branches waiver authority. The waiver authority can approve the waiver, ask for more information, or deny the waiver. In my son's case Army Cadet Command took about 5 weeks to approve his waiver from when he submitted everything requested back to DoDMERB. He checked his portal daily during that time to be sure to catch any requests for additional information etc. One more tip is to ask for a copy of each of your exams when you are at the provider giving the exam, that way if there are any issues with DodMerb saying they don't have it you can resubmit it right then. My son asked for his pulmonary consult notes the day he was there and submitted to DodMERB that day. He also asked his DodMERB tech for confirmation of receipt that day. Don't get discouraged during the process, just stay on top of it, follow up, and get as much done before you head off to school as possible. It's much easier to do it over the summer. Good luck!

 

[ThinkingRed]

Sounds like you are moving forward with everything so that's good! Once you get all your exams done DoDMERB will review everything and then post any DQ'S to your portal. This can take a few weeks. Just keep an eye on the portal. Because you are a scholarship recipient you will be automatically considered for a waiver. You will eventually receive requests for AMI and probably remedials, which can include things like the pulmonary tests, consults, medical records etc. DodMERB will communicate with you on those appointments and they may not be the same things for AF or Army. Dodmets will provide you with the name of an approved provider that you can schedule with for your remedials. This can take a few days or weeks for them to provide the name of someone. They will pay for those tests and appointments if you use their provider. This is what we elected to do. All these things can can several weeks to get scheduled. Once you have completed everything they asked for and submitted to DodMerb they will then forward on to each branches waiver authority. The waiver authority can approve the waiver, ask for more information, or deny the waiver. In my son's case Army Cadet Command took about 5 weeks to approve his waiver from when he submitted everything requested back to DoDMERB. He checked his portal daily during that time to be sure to catch any requests for additional information etc. One more tip is to ask for a copy of each of your exams when you are at the provider giving the exam, that way if there are any issues with DodMerb saying they don't have it you can resubmit it right then. My son asked for his pulmonary consult notes the day he was there and submitted to DodMERB that day. He also asked his DodMERB tech for confirmation of receipt that day. Don't get discouraged during the process, just stay on top of it, follow up, and get as much done before you head off to school as possible. It's much easier to do it over the summer. Good luck!

Thank you very much for all your help! Fingers crossed everything goes smoothly!