Pilonidal Cyst Waiver Timeline - Academy Process

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diegomagic1

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Joined
Dec 5, 2023
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I am writing as I have a DS which we found out had a Pilonidal Cyst in the past. At the time, he had it drained, and when we talked to the doctor, they said if it did not have an issue again, then to not worry about it; we had another episode where it was a little sore but never any major issue, just an antibiotic given. Through the DoDMERB Process, we are realizing this is a disqualifying condition unless operated on, and there has been a six-month waiting period to be cleared. It is now December, and he has received a letter of assurance from 2 of 4 Service Academies—no other medical issues of concern.

If we could quickly get the procedure done to remove the cyst, given the academies class up in late June/Early July, could this be a candidate for a Service Academy Waiver at the local level without the six-month timeline? We would be very close to the 6-month timeline. DoDMERB would 100% DQ him for having the surgery. However, would the Service Academy also disqualify him because of the 6-month timeline, or could they look at the case and decide that since it was removed/corrected, it is waiverable given the waiting period would be done before classing up (assuming it does not come back)?

Thank you.
 
You really need to talk to the waiver authority for the academy he wants to attend. CGA has a specific person you can email, I assume the others also have a person. You’ll want to contact the academy, not Dodmerb.
 
Sorry your son has this to work through.

First, go to the DoDMERB home page, no login required. Your son should read every item and link in left-side menu, including Contacts, to understand the process.


DoDMERB uses the military medical accession standard below to find a candidate meets or does not meet the standard (Q/DQ). They make that decision and related info available to any commissioning program they serve who requests the info. The waiver authorities for the individual commissioning programs make waiver decisions if Admissions asks them to. DoDMERB is not involved in the waiver decision but do serve as an info clearinghouse.


While USCGA has a person who can discuss medical issues, the much larger DoD SAs do not, I believe, because of the sheer volume of applicants. The candidate has to work through the process.

Waiver decisions can vary across SAs, because waiver policies and precedents differ. This makes sense when you consider missions, operating environments, gear and equipment vary greatly by service.

There is no way to predict how the waiver process will go or the final decision.

The good news is this one seems like time will resolve. A good number of reapplicants make up a part of each class, many for reasons like this. If your son really wants this path, and if he is a med DQd for this cycle, he smartly and positively pivots to his alternate plans, and reapplies. He will update his DoDMERB, re-do CFA, apply for noms again and use the setback as great material to enrich essays.

Best wishes for a waiver! I’d roll the dice snd get the procedure done ASAP to get the post-op clock ticking. Every year, candidates get cleared or waivered way late in the cycle - May or even June, or even get told to report in but they would be checked by medical staff during in-processing.
 
diegomagic1 said:
MJ thank you so much that is really helpful!
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I will add you want to find a surgeon that performs total removal via the bascom/cleft lift procedure vs an open wound heal. The difference will be a 6 week healing time vs months and months. My son and I both had this surgery and he has been Cleared medically by all service academies (his surgery was 6 months ago). Msg me if you have questions and there is a great support group on Facebook for pilonidal cysts
 
AG8297 said:
I will add you want to find a surgeon that performs total removal via the bascom/cleft lift procedure vs an open wound heal. The difference will be a 6 week healing time vs months and months. My son and I both had this surgery and he has been Cleared medically by all service academies (his surgery was 6 months ago). Msg me if you have questions and there is a great support group on Facebook for pilonidal cysts
Click to expand...
 
Thank you that is helpful I was wondering if I was just not intelligent enough to figure it out!1702069770147.png
 
Capt MJ said:
Sorry your son has this to work through.

First, go to the DoDMERB home page, no login required. Your son should read every item and link in left-side menu, including Contacts, to understand the process.


DoDMERB uses the military medical accession standard below to find a candidate meets or does not meet the standard (Q/DQ). They make that decision and related info available to any commissioning program they serve who requests the info. The waiver authorities for the individual commissioning programs make waiver decisions if Admissions asks them to. DoDMERB is not involved in the waiver decision but do serve as an info clearinghouse.


While USCGA has a person who can discuss medical issues, the much larger DoD SAs do not, I believe, because of the sheer volume of applicants. The candidate has to work through the process.

Waiver decisions can vary across SAs, because waiver policies and precedents differ. This makes sense when you consider missions, operating environments, gear and equipment vary greatly by service.

There is no way to predict how the waiver process will go or the final decision.

The good news is this one seems like time will resolve. A good number of reapplicants make up a part of each class, many for reasons like this. If your son really wants this path, and if he is a med DQd for this cycle, he smartly and positively pivots to his alternate plans, and reapplies. He will update his DoDMERB, re-do CFA, apply for noms again and use the setback as great material to enrich essays.

Best wishes for a waiver! I’d roll the dice snd get the procedure done ASAP to get the post-op clock ticking. Every year, candidates get cleared or waivered way late in the cycle - May or even June, or even get told to report in but they would be checked by medical staff during in-processing.
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MJ let me ask you quickly if we got the surgery done now he would hit six months about two weeks before I Day. From what say it sounds like he could get a waiver or the academy would hold his spot and maybe check him out just before he reports to ensure he is good to go? Or could even grant the waiver since he will have had the surgery in the May timeframe? So you would get the surgery then and think it could work?
 
diegomagic1 said:
MJ let me ask you quickly if we got the surgery done now he would hit six months about two weeks before I Day. From what say it sounds like he could get a waiver or the academy would hold his spot and maybe check him out just before he reports to ensure he is good to go? Or could even grant the waiver since he will have had the surgery in the May timeframe? So you would get the surgery then and think it could work?
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I have no magic wand, magic 8 ball or crystal ball, I regret to say. I know for some med DQs that involve surgery close to the wire, that med qual is held until a final check. I don’t know what the history for these cysts is. Every candidate’s case is weighed on its own merits. The more recovery time they have to work with, the more progress reports from the provider, the better. They will not risk an appointee’s health if is too soon, in their opinion. Plebe Summer is immediate, intense with relentless physical and mental pressure. Scheduled PT, “chopping” inside Bancroft Hall (plebes pretty much half-jog everywhere, including up and down stairs, no elevators allowed), physical corrections, etc., in abundance.
 
Good morning, and Merry Christmas.

Unfortunately, I am here for a similar issue. I had a minor pilonidal cyst that was drained over the summer but not excised. There have been zero recurring issues with it so far, and I have even undergone laser hair removal to further decrease risk. Based on the Dodmerb standards, this is not adequate for military service. However, the Naval Academy's website states, "Pilonidal cyst, if evidenced by discharging mass, is disqualifying until repaired successfully." My Dodmets case has been under review since December 5 and has not yet been updated. I expect a denial and want to get on top of this immediately. I planned on fixing this anyway, but this is now my number one priority. My question is, who do I call, email, etc... To update them on my process, and get some info on if this is waivable; when I get this remidiated in the next weeks, and when I do given a good and quicky recovery am I then good to go... I understand that this forum can not provide any yes or no answers on any DODMERB/Admissions decisions, especially medical issues. Still, I would appreciate some guidance on who I can get in contact with so I can talk this out and understand what immediate action I should take.
 
I recommend getting in and getting this fixed as soon as possible. Look for a Cleft Lift Procedure which is a faster heal time and higher probability of success long term based on my research and doctor. Obviously every case is slightly different. It was alluded to earlier in this thread. You may have a chance for a waiver if you can get it fixed, recover and provide proof if you are accepted offered an appointment pending a medical waiver. There are no guarantees and as stated earlier you may have to wait until the next year. Your case will be reviewed and it will be up to the Academy whether to waive it or not at that time. So having it well documented by a doctor on your progress will be key.

If you are applying to NROTC there is a longer period before you class up so you could get that scholarship, heal and be cleared with no waiver in time to start school so I would not delay your procedure. Then if needed reapply next year and have a year of NROTC to show your commitment and success in a military unit which could be helpful.

Hope that helps and best of luck.
 
Just to close out for the group. My DS received waivers from all the Academies he applied for and ended up accepting his appointment. So the bottom line is if you are identified with this condition, get the surgery ASAP, even if in the middle of the process if a medical waiver is your desire. I learned that if you get the surgery and have a well-documented positive recovery, this is not a big deal from the perspective of the waiver authorities. Good luck to everyone in the future and thank you to the forum for their help in navigating our situation.
 
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