Shoulder Surgery Football DQ

markpangilinan

5-Year Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2010
Messages
3
I am currently entering my sophomore year of college, and I am interested in AFROTC. I was applying to the AFA, USNA, and West Point during HS, and like many others was nominated by a Senator. During the process, I had minor arthroscopic surgery my senior year from football which disqualified me. My original DODMERB will expire October 26th of this year. The people I have contacted through AFROTC have told me that I need to get cleared before I can join ROTC. It's a shame the military disqualified me, but thats life. I have since accepted a Track & Field Scholarship as a Sprinter, so my training includes Olympic lifting and other power lifts, but weight room strength means nothing to the DODMERB, it's whats on paper that counts. I have never had any shoulder issues since then, and I recently obtained a letter from my orthopedic surgeon (1 yr 6 mo. post op) stating that I have FULL RANGE OF MOTION, and am "FULLY CAPABLE OF MILITARY DUTY". If anyone has been in a similar situation I'd love to hear your story. I know each person's case will be handled differently, but it would be nice to hear a success story. Any advice from a DODMERB expert would be greatly appreciated as well.
 
Does the letter from the orthopaedic surgeon include the actual results of a full range of motion study? My son's shoulder injury was different than yours, as it didn't require surgery, just PT, but it did initially DQ him. After we sent in a new x ray showing no damage and a full range of motion study (with degrees of motion concerning adduction, abduction, flexion, etc.) he received a waiver. If your surgery your sr. year was later in the school year, or you didn't have enough time to rehab fully before DoDMERB made their decision regarding service academy admission, maybe you will have better results this time if you have concrete documentation. Good luck.
 
AFAYahoo,

Yes my letter does state all my degrees of motion. I have all medical records with me, as well as copies with my parents. My injury was in the middle of my Senior year (Jan) and that would have given me only a few months before BCT, which may have contributed to the decision. Thanks for your help and congratulations to your son!

-Mark
 
You would still require a waiver for a history of shoulder surgery. Keep the letter from the orthopedic surgeon and submit it with your paperwork. If your prior DODMERB exam is still good you could request a waiver, but it may be easier to just submit an entirely new exam if they will let you.
 
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