Need help. Medical disqualification

2

2023

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Joined
Oct 5, 2022
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30
Dear all,

Finally last week my DD got medically DQ and her last 5-year-long dream (since 8th grade) was shattered in a moment.
Although the WestPoint portal hasn't been updated yet, she got this info via her regional command channel. She had everything green and the WestPoint Academy initiated the medical waiver application itself based on her extraordinary academic/athletic/community achievements. She had mild hearing loss in one ear since birth, but she never had any issues throughout her life with any activities (academic and physical). She never needed hearing aids as well.

She had LOE. Attended USMA SLE and USAFA summer camp and did very well in both programs while many kids were not able to cope with physical activities there.

She is so much into the Army profession and a self-driven kid and living that disciplined life to date that I can't put it in words.

Is there any hope left? Or Is there any direction from here? Please help.

Thanks in advance.
 
I am so sorry to read this. You might reach out to Mr. Mullen at DODMERB to see if this is something that is ever waverable...or through a different commissioning pathway.
She is a talented young woman and needs to build a bright future that does not include attending West Point.
There are so many great dreams. She can find another one.

I am so sorry for this disappointment.
 
I am so sorry for her. The parameters for hearing are posted from DODMERB (below) and I am sure each service has it’s own waiver criteria. I do not know where she falls on the scales below, or if there is any chance of a test “within range?” As mentioned by Dr. Mom, this may not be the end of her Army dreams. Even though the DODMERB standards below will be the same for all service avenues, some might be easier than others to obtain a waiver. Good luck to her and thank her for her willingness to serve!

#####

Ears and Hearing
Both ears must be free of tympanic membrane perforation and acute and chronic disease. The average of the hearing loss at 500, 1000 and 2000 Hz in either ear may not exceed 30 decibels (ISO), and the loss at any one of these three frequencies may not exceed 35 decibels. The maximum acceptable loss in either ear at 3000 Hz is 45 decibels and at 4000 Hz, 55 decibels.
 
2023 said:
Dear all,

Finally last week my DD got medically DQ and her last 5-year-long dream (since 8th grade) was shattered in a moment.
Although the WestPoint portal hasn't been updated yet, she got this info via her regional command channel. She had everything green and the WestPoint Academy initiated the medical waiver application itself based on her extraordinary academic/athletic/community achievements. She had mild hearing loss in one ear since birth, but she never had any issues throughout her life with any activities (academic and physical). She never needed hearing aids as well.

She had LOE. Attended USMA SLE and USAFA summer camp and did very well in both programs while many kids were not able to cope with physical activities there.

She is so much into the Army profession and a self-driven kid and living that disciplined life to date that I can't put it in words.

Is there any hope left? Or Is there any direction from here? Please help.

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Don't lose hope, I was medically disqualified in December and got my waiver accepted at the end of January. They might request additional medical information/examination and you should get that done as soon as you get that email. Other than that there is nothing for you to do but wait.
 
My kid got a waiver last year and I thought he would never get one. The nurse at our local children's hospital said she had never seen someone with one kidney ever get into the military. My kid is a cadet at USAFA right now.
 
Thanks @DrMom @MarTac @AA787DRIVER .

@jchun15 : My DD got DQ in early December'2022 by DODMERB but WestPoint initiated the waiver process itself on the same day. And last week DD got this waiver status through the command channel. So I doubt that they would be asking for more info.

Rest: Is there any hope and direction for Westpoint as that's what she dreamt about since 8th grade and worked hard to achieve it?

BTW, she got a full ROTC scholarship in a few TOP schools. Would this hearing issue be the road blocker there as well?
 
It's my understanding the ROTC's standards will be very close to USMA's standards. Your daughter sounds like a top notch candidate. Fingers crossed that everything works out!
 
I am so sorry to hear about your DD's DQ. If she is in the waiver process, do not lose hope, as others have stated. If the Medical DQ is final from the waiver review, I am not sure there is much left to do. I will say, I can still hear my DD's screeched "DAD!" after she received the call from West Point that her Medical Waiver for slight Scoliosis was denied. The pain is real and tears heartbreaking, but the truth is there is success and happiness to be found outside of West Point (ROTC, other academies, OCS, etc.). Let her be sad but then roll up those sleeves and get after Plan B,C,D, etc. There may be hope of service through ROTC or even after her 4 year degree through another service branches. My DD will commission in May as an Ensign in the Coast Guard, a path she honestly sees as a blessing after the past 4 years. Best wishes to you all.
 
Hopefully you can get a waiver without drama. I had to take a hearing test several times before I could deploy last time. If you think you are hearing anything hit the button. The sounds come at regular intervals so..... Good luck to DD!
 
So sorry - hang in there. Tough time for sure. Don't give up though --- Think about a civilian college and Army ROTC in the Fall of 2023 and re-appling for class of 2028 or even 2029. This gives you a chance to build up your entire application package -- you should be able to participate in Army ROTC as a non-contracted cadet, which you can do without a medical waiver (at least for the first year and possibly second year). Also provides you time to build up any medical info for a future waiver -- this path has worked for many others in the past. And who knows, Army ROTC may be the better option after all -- O-1's are all the same rank upon graduation from an SA or ROTC. DD should be proud of all her accomplishments so far. Good luck!!!
 
The accessions standards for officers are the same from USMA and from ROTC.
 
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