Rocky Medical History

[Slippy13]

Hey all,

I unfortunately have a lot of past medical history. I understand that you can file for a waiver when in the admissions process, however, my circumstances are pretty rough.
I’ve had quite a bit of medical history over the past 4-5 or so years. In the 2019-2020 ice hockey season I received a mild-moderate concussion and high sprained ankle. The following year (2021) I re-sprained my ankle and went to physical therapy for it. In 2022 I received a small concussion (I was able to make it through school after a day and a half). And this year, due to running, I have plantar fasciitis in my left leg (which thankfully is being “fixed” right now), and we are trying to keep it off of my medical record.
I’ve also had some mental health history. I was diagnosed with depression in November 2020, was on medications until around late April of this year, and I still see a therapist every two weeks for a check-in. I am classified as stable, but because school was a previous stressful environment, my medical team and I are just making sure I’m good. My medical issues are a huge obstacle, but going into the Air Force and serving has always been a dream of mine, ever since I can remember.
I’ve heard from friends that have gotten their medical waivers held for weeks just because of a small thing, too. I don’t want to be delayed that long, in case I miss something important because of my medical waivers. If anyone has any advice on how to maneuver around with my medical records or just sharing a personal experience, that’d be great. Thank you!

*Lots of “I’ve” in that passage, sorry!

 

[Academician]

All you can do is go through the process and prepare for the additional medical information (AMI) that DoDMERB will likely request from you. Collect all of the medical data and perhaps any evaluations that your doctors can provide stating that you are 'fit' or 'prepared' for military service along with the reasoning why they state this point.

Also, have a Plan C, in case you do not receive the waiver. By the way, "A" and "B" should be the SAs and ROTC scholarships. With "C," you might look into serving in other ways, such as the State Department, FBI, CIA, NSA, etc. There are other ways to support our country with your talents. I discuss this point with all of my students as every year I have candidates that do no medically qualify.

This particular reference will also provide more insights into the evaluations that DoDMERB will conduct: DoD Instruction 6130.03

Best of luck with your journey!

 

[Slippy13]

Thank you very much, Sir! Plan B is ROTC, Plan C is probably government route like you said. Thanks!

 

[All3Services]

You have certainly faced some adversity just make sure you don't try to "hide" anything as that always comes back to bite. Stick with it, go through the process and do what you can. Try not to focus on the hurdles you have to clear just get everything done that you can and be ready to answer questions or go through additional steps. At the same time, understand that the stressful environment you have already faced at school will only be multiplied at USAFA. Both my DS are currently at USAFA and each of them is totally different in their personalities and strengths/weaknesses so they are each finding their own difficulties in the environment there but there are lots of people going through the same thing who will help. Good luck on your journey and well done continuing to follow your dream.

 

[T-37IP]

To be clear, you don't request the waiver, USAFA does. In all honesty, the medication for depression until last April will be a pretty big obstacle.

USAFA is an incredibly stressful environment, are you sure it's a good fit?

 

[bookjustice]

Thank you very much, Sir! Plan B is ROTC, Plan C is probably government route like you said. Thanks!

The medical disqualifications for commissioning through ROTC are the same as a Service Academy, it’s the same across the DoD. So if you can’t commission because of med stuff, it’ll carry over through all the other commission sources. Just keep that in mind when you make the backups plans.

 

[Slippy13]

To be clear, you don't request the waiver, USAFA does. In all honesty, the medication for depression until last April will be a pretty big obstacle.

USAFA is an incredibly stressful environment, are you sure it's a good fit?

I’d like to think so. I thrive in a rigid and stressful environment, as I’ve come to find out as I’ve gotten older.

 

[Slippy13]

The medical disqualifications for commissioning through ROTC are the same as a Service Academy, it’s the same across the DoD. So if you can’t commission because of med stuff, it’ll carry over through all the other commission sources. Just keep that in mind when you make the backups plans.

Yes, thank you. I’ll keep that in mind.