Waiting on waiver still

[JustAMom2024]

DS has been accepted to USNA and he accepted his appointment back in February - shortly after accepting his appointment he had to report an injury and he then got a medical disqualification. He has completed all required steps for the medical waiver. He also was appointed to USMMA. Today he received a waiver from USMMA, but still nothing from USNA. He is stuck. He doesn't know if he will get the USNA waiver and doesn't want to accept the USMMA appointment until he knows what the outcome will be from USNA. Any advice is appreciated. Are we correct that this is an issue with USNA and not Dodmerb?

 

[MullenLE]

Q = Are we correct that this is an issue with USNA and not Dodmerb?
A = Yes

 

[Hockey10]

Advice, no. Things to find out and consider, yes. Where does your waiver request from Navy stand? How long will KP hold the appointment? Is KP Plan B or C? Though USNA is where you prefer to be, will KP get you where you want to be after that? And, how sure are you of your goals that a USN commission will be your goal in 4 years? Is having options attractive to you? Unfortunately, it may come down to "How much of a gambler are you?" Please, get your information from the horses' mouths. Best wishes to you.

 

[THParent]

So what did he do? I believe the deadline for accepting was yesterday (May 1st).

 

[JustAMom2024]

Here is an update:
Friday - (5/1) He received his waiver from USMMA - but his portal has not updated yet to accept or decline, was told it could take 72 hours to update. This is good as it gives him some time to get the waiver from USNA.
Saturday - (5/2) He messaged the USNA Commandant and told his predicament. Later that day he received a phone call from Dean of Admissions at USNA. He had a very good conversation with him and was told that he would look for his paperwork and would get back with him on Monday. We could not believe he got that call on a Saturday. We are so grateful for them to go above and beyond!
Today - (5/4) He received another phone call from the Dean of Admissions saying he would process his paperwork either today or tomorrow and not to sweat it.
I think everything is going to work out! Waiting for the waiver has been hands down the most stressful part of this. He had offers of appointments from USAFA, USMMA and USNA. Had the NROTC MO scholarship and accepted into his top choice school - we went from having several options to fearing he would have no options! I realize this is why you are advised to make plans A,B,C and D, etc. He had lots of plans in place but they all evolved around the military and everything could be shot down without a medical waiver. He was always healthy and initially flew through the Dodmerb process. All was good until a football injury happened!

 

[MullenLE]

Moral of the story? After receiving a DoDMERB Q....wrap candidates in bubble wrap

 

[Old Navy BGO]

Saturday - (5/2) He messaged the USNA Commandant and told his predicament. Later that day he received a phone call from Dean of Admissions at USNA. He had a very good conversation with him and was told that he would look for his paperwork and would get back with him on Monday. We could not believe he got that call on a Saturday. We are so grateful for them to go above and beyond!

He messaged the Commandant directly ? Pretty gutsy move! The reason the Dean called himself is the the 'Dant called the Dean and asked why a Candidate/Plebe was calling him, probably with some saltier language !

Actually, at this stage of the Admissions, the 'Dant probably laughed and called the Dean to give him a hard time about it, but seriously, NO CANDIDATE SHOULD BE "MESSAGING" THE COMMANDANT. Admissions issues should be directed to your Admissions Counselor in the Admissions Department.

Glad it worked out, but DS is going to learn about the Food Chain, er Chain of Command soon enough.

 

[Capt MJ]

He messaged the Commandant directly ? Pretty gutsy move! The reason the Dean called himself is the the 'Dant called the Dean and asked why a Candidate/Plebe was calling him, probably with some saltier language !

Actually, at this stage of the Admissions, the 'Dant probably laughed and called the Dean to give him a hard time about it, but seriously, NO CANDIDATE SHOULD BE "MESSAGING" THE COMMANDANT. Admissions issues should be directed to your Admissions Counselor in the Admissions Department.

Glad it worked out, but DS is going to learn about the Food Chain, er Chain of Command soon enough.

I had the same thoughts. The Dant and Dean are peers reporting to the Supe. The Dant’s role is as a consumer of Admissions’ work.
I agree there was probably some laughter between the two of them. The Dant is worrying about 4000+ midshipmen and COVID’s impact on every known pattern, the Dean is trying to finish up 2024 and solve his own COVID-driven challenges, and I respect them both for dealing with this query instead of punting it down to the lower Admissions team levels (who are no doubt actually working on it now). That was always one of the worst feelings in the world, having something come down from the boss without having had a chance to address it first.

I am glad it worked well it for this candidate. I know the entire USNA staff is hard at it, working long and odd hours.

 

[MidCakePa]

That was always one of the worst feelings in the world, having something come down from the boss without having had a chance to address it first.

Wasn’t there a recent case like this, involving the skipper of a very large warship and a certain pandemic and following the right communication protocol? And something about following the chain of command?

Not that a candidate would or should understand the chain of command. But discretion is the better part of valor.

 

[Old Navy BGO]

That was always one of the worst feelings in the world, having something come down from the boss without having had a chance to address it first.

As a JO, the first thing you learn is to avoid making the Command and Skipper look bad ! As peers, the Dean and 'Dant may joke about it, but I wouldn't be surprised if someone lower in the food chain has a sore butt !

I know the entire USNA staff is hard at it, working long and odd hours

Absolutely ! These are trying times, and I am proud of how USNA has responded. The Supe set his priorities weeks ago, and it looks like he his following that plan. There are still challenges ahead, but USNA will get through this !

 

[justdoit19]

He messaged the Commandant directly ? Pretty gutsy move! The reason the Dean called himself is the the 'Dant called the Dean and asked why a Candidate/Plebe was calling him, probably with some saltier language !

Actually, at this stage of the Admissions, the 'Dant probably laughed and called the Dean to give him a hard time about it, but seriously, NO CANDIDATE SHOULD BE "MESSAGING" THE COMMANDANT. Admissions issues should be directed to your Admissions Counselor in the Admissions Department.

Glad it worked out, but DS is going to learn about the Food Chain, er Chain of Command soon enough.

My thought was that this plebe may have an interesting summer....wowzers! Perhaps it remains to be seen how 'well' this worked out for him. Hopefully, it was the kids' idea to email and not the parents.

Future readers, don't contact the Supe/Dant. There are people that wait to hear until almost Iday. There is still a group currently waiting to hear and they all would like to know! Be patient. It's part of what you are signing up for.

 

[THParent]

My DS has never had anything so pressing that he would consider even being within 100 meters of the 'Dant.
I am chuckling here.

 

[justme]

... There is still a group currently waiting to hear and they all would like to know! ....

Is there any general estimate of how many are in that group waiting on waiver results in May? around 10, 50, 100, more?

 

[justdoit19]

Is there any general estimate of how many are in that group waiting on waiver results in May? around 10, 50, 100, more?

No clue. At all. And doesn't matter...DS is one of them though~!