Medical DQ, some questions

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SwimPatriot

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Sep 7, 2024
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Good evening,

Is it possible to still get a nomination if I got DQed? Would getting a nomination show to the service academies I am competitive for a waiver? If you get a waiver and a nomination, can you still get rejected by admissions? Is it common in general for people to get a waiver for infections they have only had twice in their life? This hurts a lot, it's been my dream to attend USNA and USAFA since middle school and I got a DQ earlier today.
 
Take a breath and work through this process systematically. That is the only way to do this - plus do your research and learn the process.

The basics.

You earn an opportunity to be considered for (not guaranteed) an offer of appointment if you are found fully qualified, and have a nomination. USCGA - no nom required. The DoD SAs, same type and numbers of noms. USMMA - slightly different from DoD SAs. All info on their websites, your primary sources for research.

Fully qualified:
- Physically: passed the CFA
- Medically: DoDMERB finds the candidate either meets or does not meet the standard. Standards for military medical accession are the same for all services and programs. If they are DQed, the commissioning program decides if and when to initiate the waiver process. Not the candidate. Waiver policies differ across commissioning sources and services. It’s not arbitrary. Missions, operating environments, gear and equipment differ.
- Academically/Scholastically: Not just “stats,” but everything the SA wishes to consider in the evaluation of a candidate.

Admissions processes are running in parallel and intersecting actions and reviews, focused on admissibility of the candidate and whether they are fully qualified. Keep in mind DoDMERB medical reviews and waiver processes can run into the late spring and beyond. That does not have to be complete by the application deadline. Admissions will also be managing the nom sources they have control over - service-connected, VP, etc.

Meanwhile, MOC nom processes operate independently of any medical qualification. Obtaining a nom is an administrative requirement.

A candidate could have 5 noms from different sources, but not be fully qualified or not be given a waiver. No appointment.

A candidate could be fully qualified, with or without an LOA, but no nom. No appointment.

A candidate could be fully qualified, with 1 nom or >1 nom, and still not be offered an appointment. Every year, there are more fully qualified candidates with nom(s) than there are seats available in the class.

You have to work the process, tending your alternate plans at the same time.

If you haven’t yet gone to the DoDMERB website and reviewed the landing page and each of the left-side menu items, including Contacts, do that to help you understand the process.


A DQ is not the end of the world. Follow the process and instructions along the way. Pursue your noms. Submit your best quality application. Work your alternate plan.
 
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Awesome post as always from CaptMJ!

A couple thoughts from my brain. Know that your medical process is confidential. Your nom sources will not know your medical status. Nor should they. A BGO also has no info on your medical standing. IOW, it won’t be a topic of discussion. There could be a question “have you completed your DODMERB”, but it should not go beyond that, if it’s even asked at all. And your response would be ‘yes, I’ve working through the process’ or similar (do not go into your health at all, as it’s private).

A DQ is actually pretty common. It’s a measure of how you meet set, defined standards. Do not get worked up about a DQ. And tell your parents not to, either. Watch for additional requested information, from potentially a different email source, and respond in a timely manner (if it makes you feel better you could make sure that your medical piece pertaining to your DQ is all buttoned up with your provider, if applicable).

Lastly, this is a really looooong process overall. Full of ups and downs. Learn some ways to manage your mental grit, as you will need it for the many, many months to come. While it’s not common, some people wait to be pulled from a waitlist as late as May (my own son was one of those). That’s potentially 8 months from now. Almost 3/4 of a year.

Hang in there. Get educated as posted above, work thorough what’s needed. And don’t worry. IMO, it’s nice to get this application process all done, and then get excited about alternate plans. That helps with the wait. Bc there is a LOT of waiting.

Good luck in your application journey!
 
SwimPatriot said:
Good evening,

Is it possible to still get a nomination if I got DQed? Would getting a nomination show to the service academies I am competitive for a waiver? If you get a waiver and a nomination, can you still get rejected by admissions? Is it common in general for people to get a waiver for infections they have only had twice in their life? This hurts a lot, it's been my dream to attend USNA and USAFA since middle school and I got a DQ earlier today.
Click to expand...

If you don’t mind sharing, what conditions or medical history were you DQ’ed?
 
justdoit19 said:
Awesome post as always from CaptMJ!

A couple thoughts from my brain. Know that your medical process is confidential. Your nom sources will not know your medical status. Nor should they. A BGO also has no info on your medical standing. IOW, it won’t be a topic of discussion. There could be a question “have you completed your DODMERB”, but it should not go beyond that, if it’s even asked at all. And your response would be ‘yes, I’ve working through the process’ or similar (do not go into your health at all, as it’s private).

A DQ is actually pretty common. It’s a measure of how you meet set, defined standards. Do not get worked up about a DQ. And tell your parents not to, either. Watch for additional requested information, from potentially a different email source, and respond in a timely manner (if it makes you feel better you could make sure that your medical piece pertaining to your DQ is all buttoned up with your provider, if applicable).

Lastly, this is a really looooong process overall. Full of ups and downs. Learn some ways to manage your mental grit, as you will need it for the many, many months to come. While it’s not common, some people wait to be pulled from a waitlist as late as May (my own son was one of those). That’s potentially 8 months from now. Almost 3/4 of a year.

Hang in there. Get educated as posted above, work thorough what’s needed. And don’t worry. IMO, it’s nice to get this application process all done, and then get excited about alternate plans. That helps with the wait. Bc there is a LOT of waiting.

Good luck in your application journey!
Click to expand...
I called my case manager and he said I can submit AMI. The way he made it sound was that they DQed me because they didn't know the causes of the condition. Other than that, its just going to be me finishing my applications, going to interviews if selected, and setting up backup plans
 
Capt MJ said:
See my post to you about DMs - you can’t send/receive yet.

Once you meet the criteria, you’ll see the icon appear after the system has time to reset.
Click to expand...
Oh I thought someone else could pm me I just couldn’t initiate it Sorry
 
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