Medical

[apollo 1211]

I am re applying and last year I got medically disqualified for shellfish. I just took an oral food challeneg with shellfish ate a couple peices of shrimp and had no reaction. I am having my doctor write a not to dodmerb saying I had no reaction and my allergy is very minimal if any. I got disqualified for "History of acute allergy to shellfish" but it is not acute. Does anyone know if they can take away the disqualification or will it just be easier to get a waiver?

 

[OfficerToBe750]

I'm not familiar with the guidelines around shellfish allergies but I'm sure if you search "shellfish" you will find lots of discussion and maybe a link to where you can read about the DODMERB guidelines.

During your last application cycle when you received a DQ, did USAFA request a waiver review on your behalf?

 

[apollo 1211]

I'm not familiar with the guidelines around shellfish allergies but I'm sure if you search "shellfish" you will find lots of discussion and maybe a link to where you can read about the DODMERB guidelines.

During your last application cycle when you received a DQ, did USAFA request a waiver review on your behalf?

They did not

 

[Devil Doc]

I’m not trying to sound like a wise guy here and am asking for educational purposes.

Does eating two shrimp qualify as an oral challenge?

 

[justdoit19]

my allergy is very minimal if any. I got disqualified for "History of acute allergy to shellfish" but it is not acute. Does anyone know if they can take away the disqualification or will it just be easier to get a waiver

You do have a history of some sort of reaction to shellfish. As reported by you.

The answer to the question you posed, is that no, a founded DQ cannot be removed. You have an existing DQ for a reaction to shellfish.

Each accession program decides IF they want to pursue a waiver for a DQ. This is not something you initiate. Its done via whichever program you are talking about. Some things cannot be waived. Some are by one program, and not another. Some are frequently waived.

It would make sense, that if you are not a candidate they want to offer an appointment/scholarship to, a waiver may never be pursued. So there isn’t a 100 pct answer to your question.

Idk what program you are wondering about, but maybe reaching out to them would give you some insight.

 

[apollo 1211]

I’m not trying to sound like a wise guy here and am asking for educational purposes.

Does eating two shrimp qualify as an oral challenge?

They said it was enough shrimp to say that I am able to be around and eat a little if on accident, but I am staying away from it. It just proves that I can eat and be around it no problem.

 

[apollo 1211]

You do have a history of some sort of reaction to shellfish. As reported by you.

The answer to the question you posed, is that no, a founded DQ cannot be removed. You have an existing DQ for a reaction to shellfish.

Each accession program decides IF they want to pursue a waiver for a DQ. This is not something you initiate. Its done via whichever program you are talking about. Some things cannot be waived. Some are by one program, and not another. Some are frequently waived.

It would make sense, that if you are not a candidate they want to offer an appointment/scholarship to, a waiver may never be pursued. So there isn’t a 100 pct answer to your question.

Idk what program you are wondering about, but maybe reaching out to them would give you some insight.

USAFA, USMA

 

[greenfield1]

When I was going through the waiver process for an immune/allergy condition, the AFROTC waiver authority asked for a letter from my doctor and allergist detailing my condition, triggers/reactions, the severity, and whether they would recommend me to be cleared for military environments. I was also required to do an IgE blood test.

USAFA and USMA may want different things from you - some things that qualify for a waiver from one branch may not be considered for a waiver in another branch. If USMA/USAFA didn't see you as a candidate they would like to appoint, they may have decided not to start you through the waiver process. The best thing you can do at this point is probably to reach out to admissions for whatever program you intend to apply to and see what guidance they can offer. DoDMERB is a tricky system especially for allergies, I wish you the best of luck!

 

[GoCubbies]

I am re applying and last year I got medically disqualified for shellfish. I just took an oral food challeneg with shellfish ate a couple peices of shrimp and had no reaction. I am having my doctor write a not to dodmerb saying I had no reaction and my allergy is very minimal if any. I got disqualified for "History of acute allergy to shellfish" but it is not acute. Does anyone know if they can take away the disqualification or will it just be easier to get a waiver?

You will be DQ'ed again (or the DQ will be maintained) by DoDMERB.

BTW, what's your definition of "acute?"

Your case is in the hands of the waiver authorities now.

Did you do the oral food challenge on your own? Or did you have a legit, full-blow OFC in the office of an allergist/immunologist. You will have to provide those medical records to provide the waiver authorities that you no longer have an allergic reaction to an unlimited amount of shellfish.

If you still have a legit shellfish allergy, then I'm not so sure USAFA and USMA will waive.

TBH, try AROTC. You will have better luck with them regarding shellfish allergy.

 

[apollo 1211]

You will be DQ'ed again (or the DQ will be maintained) by DoDMERB.

BTW, what's your definition of "acute?"

Your case is in the hands of the waiver authorities now.

Did you do the oral food challenge on your own? Or did you have a legit, full-blow OFC in the office of an allergist/immunologist. You will have to provide those medical records to provide the waiver authorities that you no longer have an allergic reaction to an unlimited amount of shellfish.

If you still have a legit shellfish allergy, then I'm not so sure USAFA and USMA will waive.

TBH, try AROTC. You will have better luck with them regarding shellfish allergy.

The oral food challenge was with a doctor, and they sent a document saying I'm not allergic.

 

[apollo 1211]

You will be DQ'ed again (or the DQ will be maintained) by DoDMERB.

BTW, what's your definition of "acute?"

Your case is in the hands of the waiver authorities now.

Did you do the oral food challenge on your own? Or did you have a legit, full-blow OFC in the office of an allergist/immunologist. You will have to provide those medical records to provide the waiver authorities that you no longer have an allergic reaction to an unlimited amount of shellfish.

If you still have a legit shellfish allergy, then I'm not so sure USAFA and USMA will waive.

TBH, try AROTC. You will have better luck with them regarding shellfish allergy.

Im going to get in not letting this stop me.

 

[GoCubbies]

Im going to get in not letting this stop me.

You should absolutely reapply.

Also know that not everyone gets considered for a waiver. The admissions committees take a look at who they want and, if DQ, send it to the medical side for a waiver consideration/recoomendation.

You may have been DQ'ed for DoDMERB, but maybe the SAs didn't consider you for a waiver so your status remained as medically disqualified. Previously, you stated USAFA didn't consider you for a waiver.

Anyway, the DQ from DoDMERB is very difficult to remove. The standard is "history of acute allergic reaction..." The words "history of" is important. It means if you've had an acute allergic reaction in the past, regardless if you do or don't have it now, is still a DQ. Maybe you've outgrown the allergy so you can pass the OFC. The fact you've had an acute allergic reaction in the past is a standard for which you will be (and were) DQ'ed.

We don't have the details of the OFC, but just what you've posted here.

If you do not have a seafood allergy anymore, then I think you have a really good chance of getting a waiver for Army ROTC. USMA would probably give you a waiver if you passed the OFC. If you applied to USMA, then there is no reason for you to not apply for Army ROTC.