Single Sided Deafness

[JLB]

Curious if anyone has personal experience with, or knows someone who has received a waiver for single sided deafness. Also wondering if one branch of the military is more generous with waivers than the others. New to all this so thanks in advance for any info.

 

[Impulsive]

I am sorry that I cannot give you info on granted waivers. I just want to give you some FYI, most "Operational" military slots require some sort of hearing in both ears. Many billets will require the wearing of headsets with radio and communications coming into different ears. Sometimes, it is required to uncover one ear to hear local warnings/discussions. I would venture a guess that a "Limited Duty" type of service may be available. Thinking of intel, finance, personnel types, where you are in an environment that is more conducive to persons with hearing limitations.

This is just a guess and my personal opinion, do not take this as Gospel. Continue your journey and hope for the best, but be ready for other options.

 

[JLB]

I am sorry that I cannot give you info on granted waivers. I just want to give you some FYI, most "Operational" military slots require some sort of hearing in both ears. Many billets will require the wearing of headsets with radio and communications coming into different ears. Sometimes, it is required to uncover one ear to hear local warnings/discussions. I would venture a guess that a "Limited Duty" type of service may be available. Thinking of intel, finance, personnel types, where you are in an environment that is more conducive to persons with hearing limitations.

This is just a guess and my personal opinion, do not take this as Gospel. Continue your journey and hope for the best, but be ready for other options.

Thanks so much for the info. I appreciate it. And what you said makes total sense. I'm asking on behalf of my son. He's a high school senior and looking to do ROTC this fall and my husband and I just want to help him manage his expectation with some sound advise. My husband, a long time ago, had a few hoops to jump thru to get his Marine Corps ROTC scholarship but it worked out in the end. The goal is just to help him get in, if possible, to any of the military branches. He can worry about maneuvering his way to a dream job from there. Thanks again!

 

[Impulsive]

Which Branch? I believe Army and Marines would likely have to greatest chance of granting a waiver. The problem with most ROTC Scholarships and Commissioning Sources is they are formed to fill "operational" slots, unless you can find a "Reserve" AROTC slot, then limited duty slots open up. Not real sure how many slots are available, the academies get first shot at most of the limited duty slots.

IF, you can afford college (FAFSA, Academic Scholarships, Work Study, in school employment at the school, etc) it would be a lot easier to get a Direct Commission slot for the aforementioned fields, as DC is not providing front line officers, but support personnel. Once he is in, who knows, maybe he gets that front line billet

 

[JLB]

Which Branch? I believe Army and Marines would likely have to greatest chance of granting a waiver. The problem with most ROTC Scholarships and Commissioning Sources is they are formed to fill "operational" slots, unless you can find a "Reserve" AROTC slot, then limited duty slots open up. Not real sure how many slots are available, the academies get first shot at most of the limited duty slots.

IF, you can afford college (FAFSA, Academic Scholarships, Work Study, in school employment at the school, etc) it would be a lot easier to get a Direct Commission slot for the aforementioned fields, as DC is not providing front line officers, but support personnel. Once he is in, who knows, maybe he gets that front line billet

Thanks for the info. I’ll definitely look into those suggestions. Luckily, the cost of college isn’t really an issue since he received merit scholarships to his top two colleges so it’s less about the ROTC scholarship and is just him wanting to serve. Initially he wanted the army, but is open to any branch where he can serve.