Hey everyone, I'm new to this website, but I wanted to share some amazing news. Last year, I was an applicant to 3 of the 5 Service Academies and was also, I was awarded an Air Force ROTC Commander's Scholarship out of high school. Last year, I received crushing news that I was medically disqualified from all of the academies as well as my Air Force ROTC Scholarship for a Peanut Allergy. Although I was medically disqualified from AFROTC, I thought I was able to continue the program, just not on scholarship. I went through 6 weeks of AFROTC and was unfortunately released from the program because of my medical situation. Once, I found out the news I was devastated because I worked so hard and received a scholarship. I found an avenue, peanut immunotherapy, that would potentially help me overcome my peanut allergy. I underwent months of immunotherapy from the end of my senior year into my freshman year of college and it was 100% successful. After all this, I submitted all my paperwork to DODMERB but was yet again medically disqualified for a history of a food allergy (Can I catch a break?). I kept persistent through the process and gave them all medical records asked for by waiver authorities. Tonight, at 2230 in my dorm room, I received word from DODMERB that my medical waiver was GRANTED. I cannot find the words to explain my joy because I done everything in my power to get to this point to be a Commissioned Officer in the Worlds Greatest Air Force.
Thank you for reading. If you have a peanut allergy, look into any and all potential avenues to gain medical qualification. There is always a way, you just have to be willing to find it!
Thank you for reading. If you have a peanut allergy, look into any and all potential avenues to gain medical qualification. There is always a way, you just have to be willing to find it!