Oh the irony...

N

NextGen89x2

Member
Joined
Jan 5, 2021
Messages
100
Maybe someone on here will think this is as funny as I do - DS has applied to USNA, USAFA, and NROTC (Marine Corps option). He was DQ'd by DoDMERB for asthma (although has had no symptoms or used meds for 4 years now). USAFA has been running him through the wringer trying to determine that his asthma will not be an issue as an officer in the Air Force. They are fighting with his assigned facility over the proper way to do a pulmonary function test (he has done so many now and they are all normal). He has been going through their waiver process since November. NROTC - MC put him in the waiver review process about a month ago. They asked for an allergy questionnaire. Then, IRT asthma, they asked him to list his running routine, miles per week, pace, and 3 mile pace over the last year. Then they asked him if he had used any asthma meds or had any breathing symptoms over the last year. Being a fitness guru, addicted to his Strava and FitBit, varsity soccer (plays full game outside back - never stops running) player and varsity track runner, this took him all of 30 minutes to write up, print, sign, and upload. And today: he has a waiver for NROTC - MC option while USAFA is still thinking about it. Anyone else think it is a bit ironic that MC is satisfied with his ability to be physically fit while USAFA is still thinking about it? :)
 
abrandicourt = Google "DoDMERB;" Hit "Questions about the process;" Read paragraph 4

DS = send me an email: lawrence.e.mullen.civ@mail.mil; provide complete name and last 4 SSN; paste the posting above to your email. I can assist you better from there :wiggle:
 
abrandicourt said:
Maybe someone on here will think this is as funny as I do - DS has applied to USNA, USAFA, and NROTC (Marine Corps option). He was DQ'd by DoDMERB for asthma (although has had no symptoms or used meds for 4 years now). USAFA has been running him through the wringer trying to determine that his asthma will not be an issue as an officer in the Air Force. They are fighting with his assigned facility over the proper way to do a pulmonary function test (he has done so many now and they are all normal). He has been going through their waiver process since November. NROTC - MC put him in the waiver review process about a month ago. They asked for an allergy questionnaire. Then, IRT asthma, they asked him to list his running routine, miles per week, pace, and 3 mile pace over the last year. Then they asked him if he had used any asthma meds or had any breathing symptoms over the last year. Being a fitness guru, addicted to his Strava and FitBit, varsity soccer (plays full game outside back - never stops running) player and varsity track runner, this took him all of 30 minutes to write up, print, sign, and upload. And today: he has a waiver for NROTC - MC option while USAFA is still thinking about it. Anyone else think it is a bit ironic that MC is satisfied with his ability to be physically fit while USAFA is still thinking about it? :)
Click to expand...
Frustrating, I am sure, but the waiver policies differ because the Services differ in mission, gear and operating environment. It’s fitness specific to a certain operating environment that is the key. Each Service knows from years and years of data how to run their risk analysis. It’s not just the individual they factor in, it’s those he or she leads and is responsible for. Going into any situation, you want people to be as “whole” as possible for that situation, and not suddenly become a drag on operational readiness or safety of the unit as a whole.

Ironic, maybe not, frustrating, sure.
 
Thanks Mr. Mullen - DS sent you an email about a week ago. He did not hear back, but his process with USAFA did speed up somewhat - so I am assuming that maybe that was you. DoDMERB and USAFA decided to just skip getting the complete test that USAFA wanted - because the assigned facility wouldn't do it correctly. The USAFA coordinator told my son that she was going to submit it as is to see if the waiver authority wanted him to be tested at another facility or not. If they do, then we will need to make sure that DoDMETS and Concorde can find a facility that can actually do the test. We'll see what they decide. In the meantime, I wish that USAFA would make it as easy as MC did! Have a great day.
 
I can assure you beyond a shadow of a doubt that if he sent me an email, he received a response.

As Capt MJ correctly stated, each Service has their own risk analysis and applies those criteria. Ironic, NO, frustrating, sure...but they have their reasons. :wiggle:
 
Capt MJ said:
Frustrating, I am sure, but the waiver policies differ because the Services differ in mission, gear and operating environment. It’s fitness specific to a certain operating environment that is the key. Each Service knows from years and years of data how to run their risk analysis. It’s not just the individual they factor in, it’s those he or she leads and is responsible for. Going into any situation, you want people to be as “whole” as possible for that situation, and not suddenly become a drag on operational readiness or safety of the unit as a whole.

Ironic, maybe not, frustrating, sure.
Click to expand...
Thanks:) Not too frustrating actually. He was so thrilled to get a waiver that it was a bit of a celebration. Being a USNA grad, I was just having a bit of fun at the expense of USAFA. You are 100% correct about waivers applying to Services and their needs. And they all do it differently!
 
MullenLE said:
I can assure you beyond a shadow of a doubt that if he sent me an email, he received a response.

As Capt MJ correctly stated, each Service has their own risk analysis and applies those criteria. Ironic, NO, frustrating, sure...but they have their reasons. :wiggle:
Click to expand...
I'll ask him when he is out of school - maybe it went to junk mail and he didn't see it.
 
I get what the OP is taking about. My son was awarded an NROTC-MO scholarship on the first board. The Marines conduct their own physical fitness testing of the applicants at their own facility, and my son received a nearly perfect score, which may give you an idea about the level of his physical fitness. Meanwhile, the Army has yet to approve his pull-ups and push-ups videos which he was required to refilm due to their specific form requirements. Honestly, it is rather ironic.
 
Last edited:
Hey, Abrandicourt..."Being a USNA grad, I was just having a bit of fun at the expense of USAFA."

We're just picky, that's all... :biggrin:

Seriously...my alma mater (USAFA) frustrates me as an ALO quite often...:bang:

HUGE "best wishes and hopes" for your son!!

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top