Hello Everyone
I just wanted to share my journey with DoDMERB with the hope that it will motivate and encourage those seeking to obtain a waiver.
Ever since I was a sophomore in high school I was determined to attend a service academy, specifically AFA. From that moment I began stocking up my resume with leadership activities and signing up for advanced classes. I worked incredibly hard in school and was accepted into AFA summer seminar. After attending summer seminar I was even more convinced that the AFA was my dream school. I received a nomination from my state senator and representative. Also, after speaking with my ALO and administration at AFA, I felt confident due to their assurance that I was a qualified applicant. Unfortunately, several weeks after my appointment with DoDMERB I was notified that I was medically disqualified. I was extremely confused since the disqualification resulted from anxiety/depression medication I had taken three years earlier. Since then, I had not had any mediation and had excelled in school/extra-cirriclar activities. I worked and worked towards obtaining a waiver. Unfortunately, when March approached I was not accepted due to my DQ. I was crushed and had to start figuring out Plan B. I knew I wanted to be an officer in the Air Force so instead of giving up, I began looking at AFROTC. This past fall I enrolled in my University's AFROTC program. The DQ was still on my record and it worried me since I knew it needed to be removed before the end of my sophomore year. I worked incredibly hard in ROTC and academically. I joined drill team, silver wings, and was very involved in my detachment. I improved my PFA score from a 92.4 to a 98. About three weeks ago, cadre in my detachment notified me that they chose me to be nominated for a scholarship due to my major and hard work. However, they were unable to submit my application while I was medically DQ'd. From that moment, I began working with DoDMERB consultants (which I recommend everyone look into, extremely helpful) to obtain a medical waiver. I gathered a packet of information that included a self-written letter, recommendation letters from my ROTC captain and mentor, resume, school transcript, and awards. I sent this letter to DoDMERB in hopes that it would prove that I was a happy confident cadet who could handle the stresses of ROTC and that past medical problems were not an issue. In addition to my packet, cadre at my detachment spoke directly with the waiver authority and were interviewed because they believed I deserved to be medically qualified. Yesterday, I was notified that I am now medically qualified and my scholarship application was submitted. After such a long nerve wracking process, I finally received the news I have always hoped for. My relief and happiness could not be expressed.
I share my experience in order to encourage everyone to not give up! Maybe things don't work out the first time around, but if its really your dream keep pursuing it. I worked incredibly hard to obtain a waiver and enrolled in ROTC despite the risk knowing that I might not become medically qualified before the end of my sophomore year. Persistence is key!
I just wanted to share my journey with DoDMERB with the hope that it will motivate and encourage those seeking to obtain a waiver.
Ever since I was a sophomore in high school I was determined to attend a service academy, specifically AFA. From that moment I began stocking up my resume with leadership activities and signing up for advanced classes. I worked incredibly hard in school and was accepted into AFA summer seminar. After attending summer seminar I was even more convinced that the AFA was my dream school. I received a nomination from my state senator and representative. Also, after speaking with my ALO and administration at AFA, I felt confident due to their assurance that I was a qualified applicant. Unfortunately, several weeks after my appointment with DoDMERB I was notified that I was medically disqualified. I was extremely confused since the disqualification resulted from anxiety/depression medication I had taken three years earlier. Since then, I had not had any mediation and had excelled in school/extra-cirriclar activities. I worked and worked towards obtaining a waiver. Unfortunately, when March approached I was not accepted due to my DQ. I was crushed and had to start figuring out Plan B. I knew I wanted to be an officer in the Air Force so instead of giving up, I began looking at AFROTC. This past fall I enrolled in my University's AFROTC program. The DQ was still on my record and it worried me since I knew it needed to be removed before the end of my sophomore year. I worked incredibly hard in ROTC and academically. I joined drill team, silver wings, and was very involved in my detachment. I improved my PFA score from a 92.4 to a 98. About three weeks ago, cadre in my detachment notified me that they chose me to be nominated for a scholarship due to my major and hard work. However, they were unable to submit my application while I was medically DQ'd. From that moment, I began working with DoDMERB consultants (which I recommend everyone look into, extremely helpful) to obtain a medical waiver. I gathered a packet of information that included a self-written letter, recommendation letters from my ROTC captain and mentor, resume, school transcript, and awards. I sent this letter to DoDMERB in hopes that it would prove that I was a happy confident cadet who could handle the stresses of ROTC and that past medical problems were not an issue. In addition to my packet, cadre at my detachment spoke directly with the waiver authority and were interviewed because they believed I deserved to be medically qualified. Yesterday, I was notified that I am now medically qualified and my scholarship application was submitted. After such a long nerve wracking process, I finally received the news I have always hoped for. My relief and happiness could not be expressed.
I share my experience in order to encourage everyone to not give up! Maybe things don't work out the first time around, but if its really your dream keep pursuing it. I worked incredibly hard to obtain a waiver and enrolled in ROTC despite the risk knowing that I might not become medically qualified before the end of my sophomore year. Persistence is key!