Question

[p413]

Hello I just have a quick question.

If I apply to both the AFA and AFROTC and get medically denied for both can I try again after college to become medically qualified or if I am denied once medically I can never try again?

I have not been medically disqualified yet just if I can only try once to get into the Air Force I will wait till after college to try, but if I can try more than once I would like to apply to the AFA.

Thanks!

 

[profsparrow]

If you get a 4 year degree from college, and your grades are above average, and you choose to do so, you can apply for Active Duty and subsequent commisioning directly after OTS (Officer Training School). Just curious why you would want to go through another 4 year undergraduate program "after college."

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe you can take the physical until you either meet the requirements, get tired of trying, or are too old. There may be limitations on how often you can submit the results. Not sure...

 

[p413]

I am a junior in high school right now. I would like to go to the Air Force academy but if i do not not make it because of medical reasons I would go to a civilian college and then get in the Air Force. If I can only try once to get into the military I will just go to a civilian college and then get in the Air force if that makes sense?

 

[Packer]

You wil never know if you will be medically dq'd unless you apply. Even if you are dq'd some waivers are given for some conditions.

Some dq's may go away after a specified time period has passed, some will be forever.

I would suggest you apply if you are interested as you have nothing to lose.

 

[haleym]

It depends on what your medical issue is. If it's something severe like asthma or sleep walking you will not be able to be in the military regardless of your route. However, if your condition is waiverable, then you might have a shot at an Academy or ROTC. Also, some things disqualify you for a certain amount of time (I believe some surgeries or childhood asthma is like this, someone correct me if I'm wrong), so in that case you could go the route of OTS. Hope this was helpful!

 

[Christcorp]

What you "SAY" doesn't make sense; but what you "Mean" makes sense. What Sparrow said is correct. Let me break it down in a chronology that will make more sense:

1. High school senior: Apply to academy: medically disqualified
2. Attend civilian college freshman year:
3. While a freshman at civilian school, apply AGAIN for air force academy
4. Medically disqualified again and not selected to the academy
5. Start your Sophomore year at civilian college, apply AGAIN for air force academy.
6. Medically disqualified again and not selected to the academy.

Stir briskly and repeat as needed. Some things to keep in mind.

1. We are "ASSUMING" that the medical disqualification you are referring to is a temporary condition such as a broken bone. If it's something like asthma, then that's NOT temporary, and you will NEVER be accepted, so there's absolutely no reason to keep trying.

2. You can only apply to the academy until you reach your 23rd birthday prior to the end of June. If you reach your 23rd birthday PRIOR to starting basic training for the academy, you are NOT ALLOWED to attend, so once again, there is no reason to continue applying at that point.

3. MOST medical conditions that make you ineligible for the academy, probably make you ineligible for the air force at all. I say "Most", that doesn't mean ALL.

So if you are denied an appointment to the air force academy for medical reasons, you will have to assess the medical reason at the time to determine IF YOU CAN reapply a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th time..... OR, if you're even allowed to go into the air force at all. Even enlisted or after a civilian college and going for a commission to be an officer. In other words, your "Scenario" is too vague with way too many possibilities.

I hope this explains it. If not, someone else can try and explain it, because that's the best that I have. Best of luck.... mike.....

 

[profsparrow]

I am a junior in high school right now. I would like to go to the Air Force academy but if i do not not make it because of medical reasons I would go to a civilian college and then get in the Air Force. If I can only try once to get into the military I will just go to a civilian college and then get in the Air force if that makes sense?

If you're a junior in HS, you need to talk to your school counselor ASAP, if you haven't already. If you haven't applied to USAFA, do it NOW! The clock is ticking. You must have truly outstanding grades (3.4 to 4.0 GPA). Have a history of leadership in school or the community, hopefully some involvement in competitive sports, and of course pass the DoDMERB physical. If you're healthy I wouldn't worry about the physical. If you're overweight, you'll need to take care of that or you won't pass it. If you don't pass the physical they will give you a chance to take care of it. But the ball will be in your court. Then there is the CFA (Candidate Fitness Assessment). The CFA exercises themselves aren't all that hard, anybody can run, do push-ups, and pull-ups and so forth. But to get accepted you must excel at all those things, do LOTS of pushups, pull-ups, run FAST, etc., because you are competing with everybody else who wants to go to the USAFA. And they all know that they have to do well.
So to make an even longer story short, you best get busy now. The good news is that if you don't get accepted this time around, you can try again the following year. I think it may be to late to apply for the USAFA Summer Seminar. But if it's not, you will find the application process a lot easier if you start with applying for it.
It's admirable that you want to pursue this career. I wish you great luck.

 

[p413]

Thank you guys so much for helping! (yes you guys did help a lot!)

 

[Christcorp]

The actual application process doesn't start until the end of June / Beginning of July. But it is definitely a good idea to do the pre-candidate survey/application. That will get you in the system and on the AOL's (Admission's) radar.

The application process has 3 basic stages and each can get hectic. The 1st stage is the online portion that you fill out, essays, etc... The 2nd is having your transcripts sent in, teacher's online recommendations, Medical review, and physical fitness test. 3rd stage are your interviews with the ALO and member of congress, admissions reviewing and scoring your complete package, and the waiting process. Some people have completed the application process 100% completely, minus admissions scoring the package and the congressional nomination in July/August. These are some fast burners. They will get their package looked at sooner and "usually" with a more positive attitude.

So, as sparrow said, it's a really fast paced process. I definitely recommend doing the pre-candidate survey application and get into the system. Also; get your teachers and school admin lined up for what you'll need. If you haven't take the "RIGHT" classes, sports, leadership, etc... then you're kind of late to start doing that. But you can work on your ACT/SAT/GPA/etc... best of luck. mike....