Medical Review

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srb68!

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My son was recently diagnosed as a type 1 diabetic following his plebe year. I have read several articles regarding how the military has changed their standards for people with diabetes and now allow them to stay with their selective branch. This new policy was put into affect in 2020. Furthermore, the academy graduated a type 1 diabetic in 2014 she was also diagnosed in her plebe year. Does anyone have advice as to who we should seek counsel with regarding medical review board and my son's retention at the Academy. It seems as if their mind is already made up regarding dismissal.
Any help or advice is appreciated.
 
Ugh, I am so sorry for this news. I have no guidance to offer, but I am sure this is a trying time for your MIDN and you as well. I hope this works out in his favor if at all possible. I wish him good health.
 
srb68! said:
My son was recently diagnosed as a type 1 diabetic following his plebe year. I have read several articles regarding how the military has changed their standards for people with diabetes and now allow them to stay with their selective branch. This new policy was put into affect in 2020. Furthermore, the academy graduated a type 1 diabetic in 2014 she was also diagnosed in her plebe year. Does anyone have advice as to who we should seek counsel with regarding medical review board and my son's retention at the Academy. It seems as if their mind is already made up regarding dismissal.
Any help or advice is appreciated.
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I am sorry to hear of this challenge.

That will be for your son to work through with the Brigade Medical and the pre-comm physical process staff. He can ask if he is entitled to any advocacy or appeal rights. Due to HIPAA, you cannot call to discuss, though there may an avenue whereby your son can ask for your inclusion in certain things. He is an adult in the military, and that will drive how things are done. I recognize this is difficult.

I am sure each situation is considered on a case by case basis, and outcomes may or may not be comparable to other cases. The needs of the Navy, current policy, past precedent, the precedent it will set, available waivers (if there is a cap), individual aspects of the case - these will all come into play.

I am paging @MullenLE from DoDMERB, in case he has any insight, though Service waiver policies and pre-comm med boards are not in his domain. He often offers to communicate privately with applicants or midshipmen/cadets if he feels he can help them better understand the process.
 
Be aware too that the waiver policy may and often does differ among pre-service accession physicals, pre-comm physicals, pre-aviation physicals and. regular/aviation/community specific physicals. One of our USNA sponsor alumni developed severe migraines triggered by altitude and other factors. If those had occurred during DoDMERB or at USNA, they would likely not have gotten in or gotten commissioned. They started happening during Hornet training. DQ from Navy air but room was found in the meteorological community for a lateral transfer. Any policies you might have read for people already into their careers may differ from the pre-comm policy.
 
Capt MJ said:
Be aware too that the waiver policy may and often does differ among pre-service accession physicals, pre-comm physicals, pre-aviation physicals and. regular/aviation/community specific physicals. One of our USNA sponsor alumni developed severe migraines triggered by altitude and other factors. If those had occurred during DoDMERB or at USNA, they would likely not have gotten in or gotten commissioned. They started happening during Hornet training. DQ from Navy air but room was found in the meteorological community for a lateral transfer. Any policies you might have read for people already into their careers may differ from the pre-comm policy.
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Just finished plebe year..great academic, maxed every prt, and command reviews...was planning on Cyber Operations, Crypto, or Nav Intel.. hopeful for guidance and support.
 
Is this the type of situation where someone can request to go restricted line? I'm just guessing here. Of course, as CaptMJ stated each case is individually evaluated.
 
srb68! said:
My son was recently diagnosed as a type 1 diabetic following his plebe year. I have read several articles regarding how the military has changed their standards for people with diabetes and now allow them to stay with their selective branch. This new policy was put into affect in 2020. Furthermore, the academy graduated a type 1 diabetic in 2014 she was also diagnosed in her plebe year. Does anyone have advice as to who we should seek counsel with regarding medical review board and my son's retention at the Academy. It seems as if their mind is already made up regarding dismissal.
Any help or advice is appreciated.
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No idea if he can be retained or not. Similar situation for a Mid in 2019 who was not retained.

if your son is not retained, file a claim with the VA immediately when separated. This will at least ensure he is covered by the VA for medicine and any other treatments needed for diabetes and will be very important if the disease creates other complications later
 
Your son, the appropriate person, is already working with the appropriate leaders.

The information provided above, while accurate, does not accurately reflect what actually occurred. Each case, have it's own specific circumstance that fit each individual.

He is well aware of the process and what's next...for him. He also knows whom to contact at USNA for any questions he may have. :wiggle:
 
Heatherg21 said:
Is this the type of situation where someone can request to go restricted line? I'm just guessing here. Of course, as CaptMJ stated each case is individually evaluated.
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There are some things that are never waivered, some seldom, some often. If they decide to give him a waiver after due consideration, they will also have consider what officer communities would be available.

We have had 3 of our sponsor mids DQ’ed and separated for Type I diabetes as 3/c midshipmen in the last 10 years. Waivers for these cases are still relatively rare, I think, and a lot of analysis will go into the decision.
 
MullenLE said:
Your son, the appropriate person, is already working with the appropriate leaders.

The information provided above, while accurate, does not accurately reflect what actually occurred. Each case, have it's own specific circumstance that fit each individual.

He is well aware of the process and what's next...for him. He also knows whom to contact at USNA for any questions he may have. :wiggle:
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Thanks for the info! Just a concerned parent here trying to find info on my own.
 
Fair enough. Just don't call the Supe. :biggrin:
 
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