Question about Summer Seminar requirements

believe2023

believe2023

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My DS is prepared to turn in his application for the NASS. He has gone over the requirements several times. One item has him (and me) a bit confused.It say "normal vision", he has 20/20 vision, probably a bit better, however he is slightly color deficient. He wants to call and ask if he should not apply to the NASS. We already know color deficiency will require a waiver from the USNA for an appointment. Does any one have any advice regarding the summer seminar? Thank you for your help.
 
I would apply with the 20/20. It’s NASS not Admissions. Will be good for your Son either way. I saw posts here that people get waiver from USNA on some color blindness. AF less tolerant from what I heard. Go for it! He’s ready to submit. The portal will be open through late March. Better to be early. However if you’re from Mid Atlantic east coast it is more difficult to get accepted to NASS. Even if you have strong package. So apply to AIM USCGA if he likes the sea going missions. In fact he should apply to all programs. They sound similar but they are all different. Let him go and figure it out for himself what service maybe the best fit for him. Good luck!
 
If DS has an interest in USMC, I would highly recommend SLCDA. DS went last year to USMA SLE, USNA NASS and USMC SLCDA. Each one was a bit different. SLCDA made a tremendous impact.
 
Patriot4Life said:
I would apply with the 20/20. It’s NASS not Admissions. Will be good for your Son either way. I saw posts here that people get waiver from USNA on some color blindness. AF less tolerant from what I heard. Go for it! He’s ready to submit. The portal will be open through late March. Better to be early. However if you’re from Mid Atlantic east coast it is more difficult to get accepted to NASS. Even if you have strong package. So apply to AIM USCGA if he likes the sea going missions. In fact he should apply to all programs. They sound similar but they are all different. Let him go and figure it out for himself what service maybe the best fit for him. Good luck!
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Unfortunately , he has already spoken to the USCGA, they will not except him to the Academy, they told him he could enlist. He has also been told the USAFA is not as concerned with the color deficiency as the USNA, although he has been told they do leave spots for waivers. Right now his main concern is the application for the Summer Seminar, he did not want to feel as though he was hiding anything. He is planning to apply to more than one Summer Seminar. He is all in and is going for it! ( and we are from the east coast, he has been told that does make it a little more difficult for USMA and USNA).
 
DODMERB operates with their very strict standard guideline. It’s like the grand parents who have their set ways. They don’t budge. But each Academies seem to have their needs differently. and each SAs will request a waiver for your son if that becomes necessary. DODMERB QUALS is some time away. For now let your son enjoy and experience all he can. Summer Program is really for your son to explore and to help him narrow down his interest. However when the time comes to applying to SAs I wouldn’t really drop any unless he has his mind set on one or two. Apply to ROTC colleges with the culture he would embrace. Son needs to visit some of those too. Visits are very important. It’s like going on a date! You’ll get the chemistry once you set you foot on campus and interact with faculty and students.
 
Patriot4Life said:
SAs will request a waiver for your son if that becomes necessary
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Probably better to phrase this as SA will consider a waiver if appropriate (and possible). Perhaps someone with closer insight into Medical review (USNA1985 -help !) can confirm, but it is my understanding from past threads here that the ultimate waiver authority is USNA, not DODMERB. Think of DODMERB more as the administrator and coordinator, collecting the information and making recommendations on waivers.

There are some conditions that are simply not waiverable, and each Service Academy has its own criteria. For example, color blindness (at some level) is disqualifying for sea service (Surface line/Submarine) and I would suspect aviation (it is necessary to see and distinguish red/green when conning a ship and seeing warning light/gauges in an aircraft). I would that's why its disqualifying for USCGA, but waiverable for USNA (USNA has a number of service selections the candidate would be eligible for).
 
Does anyone know which academy is the most friendly towards childhood asthma issues? I know waivers are given for mild cases by some academies. DS is applying to all academies but we want to know which one to really concentrate on.
 
lynn114 said:
My DS is prepared to turn in his application for the NASS. He has gone over the requirements several times. One item has him (and me) a bit confused.It say "normal vision", he has 20/20 vision, probably a bit better, however he is slightly color deficient. He wants to call and ask if he should not apply to the NASS. We already know color deficiency will require a waiver from the USNA for an appointment. Does any one have any advice regarding the summer seminar? Thank you for your help.
Click to expand...
I agree with the previous answers- just supply what's asked for on the NASS app and hope that he gets to experience at least one of the summer programs. I am not exaggerating when I say that my DS's acceptance and attendance at NASS was life-changing. He had talked about USAFA for years and had visited on four different occasions. But during Summer Sem at USNA, he found his true calling. I also felt like it was a pretty important experience for him, to get a taste of what life at a SA is really like. They can read books and see photos, but it was NASS that completely sealed the deal for my boy. He approached his senior year with renewed determination to get in! I hope your DS gets the experience firsthand too.
 
WAIT.... Is that mean you will not accept if your vision is not 20/20???:eek:
I'm a quite heavy nearsighted probably 15/20 or worse. I just turn in my NASS application :screwy::screwy::(:(
 
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