NROTC MO Waiver Denial

[tman9285]

Hey guys,
As the title said, I got a pretty bad streak of luck. A week ago I was informed that my request for a waiver for the DoDMERB has been denied. I was DQ'ed for amblyopia in my right eye, meaning my right eye only corrected to about 20/60. I've been trying to cope with the fact that my childhood dream is no longer a thing, thanks to the waiver denial. I've been trying to make sense with it, even though I have difficulty understanding as to why I could already be on my campus with my unit just to get this news. It's also to my knowledge that there are some Marines out there serving with my same condition, so it just seems to me I've really been screwed over here. I lost the scholarship for this year. I've started reapplying for Navy option now to go SWO or something, but I just want to make sure all avenues have been completely exhausted, aside from appealing. My unit XO already said it's no good, and he really did try to keep me in the MO program, but the Navy doc on the other side of the phone said it was no good. I was wondering if there are any opinions from within the DoDMERB that maybe wouldn't be passed on to other departments within the Navy. I just need to know why waivers are out there for these kinds of conditions yet they don't get handed out. Nothing makes sense. I'm just trying to cope with all of this.

 

[Capt MJ]

I can see that you are frustrated and even angry, quite understandable, because in a way you are grieving the loss of your dream to be a Marine. These are normal reactions.

“The system” may seem grossly unfair. There may well be Marines serving with this condition, but it may have developed after they were commissioned. That is different from having it prior to commissioning. The bar for accession for pre-comm is set very high. There may also only be a set number of waivers handed out every year for a certain condition.

DODMERB Qs or DQs according to the standard. Each service has its own waiver policies, because each service’s mission, gear and operating environment differ. There may be differences between officer and enlisted standards, similar reasons.

Having to change directions, adjust dreams, handle disappointment, choose another path, cope with apparent unfairness - this is grown-up life in all its unpredictability and bumpiness. You have every right to feel the way you do. Learning how to coach yourself through these situations is a major life skill.

Focus on what you can control and do your best to look forward. If the Navy door is open to you, adjust your dream of how you might be serving and determine to embrace it in a positive and committed way. Your PNS, XO and your peers should be saying “wow, Midn Tman was really upset by his Marine DQ, but he has taken it in stride and is really focused on Navy. Great attitude, so mature, never an angry or resentful comment, Tman’s gonna be a good leader and make this work.”

Take a breath. Get out there and PT like a demon to clear your mind and bleed off some stress. Focus on what you can control, build a plan, execute. Decide who you are going to be throughout this challenge, and be that person. You will never know how positively you might influence peers or juniors if they watch you deal with this successfully and positively.

Time does help these raw feelings. Let us know how it’s working out.

 

[justdoit19]

I find looking for the blessing in your life, day, moment helps with disappointment. The other thing to know, is that someday, as all-consuming as this disappointment and related emotions are, it will only be a blip on your life radar. Someday this will only be a story. A memory. And one that won’t matter really in the big scheme of things.

We all get thrown curveballs. Life hurdles. But you WILL get over that hurdle. Sometimes we have to hunker down and barrel through the hurdle. But we all get to the other side. And things eventually are better. As hard as that may be to see at the present moment.

This isn’t your journey, but something else is. And it will be equally as amazing! You just don’t know it yet. Hang in there!! Positive Mental Attitude!!

 

[tman9285]

I find looking for the blessing in your life, day, moment helps with disappointment. The other thing to know, is that someday, as all-consuming as this disappointment and related emotions are, it will only be a blip on your life radar. Someday this will only be a story. A memory. And one that won’t matter really in the big scheme of things.

We all get thrown curveballs. Life hurdles. But you WILL get over that hurdle. Sometimes we have to hunker down and barrel through the hurdle. But we all get to the other side. And things eventually are better. As hard as that may be to see at the present moment.

This isn’t your journey, but something else is. And it will be equally as amazing! You just don’t know it yet. Hang in there!! Positive Mental Attitude!!

Thanks, and I gotta say the profile picture checks out. Luckily, I am allowed to do all of the fun stuff that the Marine options do like FEXes and PT, so there's something.