Medical Condition Related Question

[YaBoi03]

Please note that even though I talk about DoDMERB this is not a DoDMERB related question.

For the past few months I've been dealing with the headaches of DoDMERB and the waiver process due to my disqualifying medical condition. I was diagnosed with Pulmonary Embolism 2 years ago. I was put on blood thinning medication for about 6-7 months (don't remember exact time) and have been off of them ever since. I have no blood abnormalities that could have caused this, but I believe the conclusion as to why I formed a blood clot was because of lengthy periods of inactivity after being extremely active due to Covid quarantine (I run a lot). Unfortunately, my waiver was denied for the Coast Guard Academy and I don't think my chances with the other academies I applied to fare any better; So right now my only hope is that AROTC is lenient enough to grant me one.

I do not want to know what my chances are to get a waiver because I know that's not something y'all can answer, but I just want to know what having had this condition means in terms of ever having the chance to serve. It has been and still is my dream to become an officer, but that is not something I want to keep chasing if there is no hope for me ever achieving it. Do the medical standards of the military completely prohibit me from pursuing this path due to my past condition? Does it completely prohibit me from pursuing any path towards my goal?

If I need to elaborate on anything for a good answer please ask. Thank you.

 

[MohawkArmyROTC]

Yes, your previous medical condition DQs you from military service as you already know. However, I wouldn't say it completely prohibits you. Waivers are cases by case, and needs of the Army. IF you really want to commission, then pursue the waiver. The service academies are very strict with waivers, as they don't need them to reach their quotas. ROTC on the other and is more lenient on waivers, if the cadet can prove the condition doesn't' adversely affect their performance. The hardest waiver I saw approve is a cadet that we had that was born with one kidney. It took two years to get approved, but he always maxed the APFT, and was successful in the program proving that he wasn't a liability or inhibited by his medical condition.