Waiver denied

[picklerick]

Basically updating from my last post, my medical waiver has been denied.
My physicians believes that I am medically qualified and that I do not fall into the general waiver criteria which is
a) is the condition progressive
b) is the condition subject to aggravation by the military service?
c) Will the condition preclude satisfactory completion of prescribed training and subsequent military duty
d) will the condition constitute an undue hazard due to you or to others you will be charged in leading, particularly under combat condition?

I believe this is a misjudgment from the waiver committee and I would like to appeal. How can I do that and what should I do a this point?

 

[MarTac]

I do not know ar what point your waiver was denied? USMA has a two step process for medical waivers. if the condition is potentially waiverable, then the first step is a recommendation to either “Grant” or “Not Grant” from the military physicians at Keller Hospital (located at West Point.) If the doctors recommendation is “Grant” then, unlike other SAs, the waiver is referred back to an admissions waiver committee (made up of staff and faculty from West Point) that reviews the candidate file, medical recommendations and then makes the final decision. If the doctors at Keller do not recommend the waiver be granted the process stops there.

i believe a waiver can be appealed all the way up to the Superintendent, but in practicality I cannot imagine many appeals being successful unless the appeal was based on inaccurate medical information or new details that might effect the condition. If you, or civilian doctors, just disagree with the decision or interpretation of the medical data I believe it would be an uphill fight with some but little hope. I am not a medical professional and, obviously, don’t know your disqualification condition(s) but I do believe that USMA has seen most conditions presented before. USMA has some of the most stringent medical standards because of the environment cadets and officers can be placed in and the physicality of training and land warfare. If USMA has denied your waiver without possibility of appeal you can still attempt to find out if your conditions are potentially waiverable and try AROTC or other SAs. Each has their own waiver criteria and needs of the services vary. Good luck with your journey and thank you for your willingness to serve.

 

[picklerick]

I do not know ar what point your waiver was denied? USMA has a two step process for medical waivers. if the condition is potentially waiverable, then the first step is a recommendation to either “Grant” or “Not Grant” from the military physicians at Keller Hospital (located at West Point.) If the doctors recommendation is “Grant” then, unlike other SAs, the waiver is referred back to an admissions waiver committee (made up of staff and faculty from West Point) that reviews the candidate file, medical recommendations and then makes the final decision. If the doctors at Keller do not recommend the waiver be granted the process stops there.

i believe a waiver can be appealed all the way up to the Superintendent, but in practicality I cannot imagine many appeals being successful unless the appeal was based on inaccurate medical information or new details that might effect the condition. If you, or civilian doctors, just disagree with the decision or interpretation of the medical data I believe it would be an uphill fight with some but little hope. I am not a medical professional and, obviously, don’t know your disqualification condition(s) but I do believe that USMA has seen most conditions presented before. USMA has some of the most stringent medical standards because of the environment cadets and officers can be placed in and the physicality of training and land warfare. If USMA has denied your waiver without possibility of appeal you can still attempt to find out if your conditions are potentially waiverable and try AROTC or other SAs. Each has their own waiver criteria and needs of the services vary. Good luck with your journey and thank you for your willingness to serve.

Thank you for the explanation. That clarified a lot of things.
First of all, I received a notice on my portal this morning from the admissions office stating "After extensive evaluation by our military medical authorities, I regret to inform you that your medical disqualification is final for the following reason~~" does this mean that the admission office made the final decision referring back to you saying "waiver is referred back to an admissions waiver committee (made up of staff and faculty from West Point) that reviews the candidate file, medical recommendations and then makes the final decision". So at this point, should I assume that my chance to Westpoint is basically gone at this stage? I am able to submit multiple documents from doctors stating that I am indeed qualified for any physical activities but if there the admissions made the final decision then there would be no point of providing further information right?

Secondly, I have a conditional LOA to NAPS only if my waiver would be granted.
Is it most likely that I would be denied from the navy's waiver as well since west point made a denial on my waiver?
and if so what can I do to prevent that from happening?

Quote Reply

 

[MarTac]

I don’t know where in the process your waiver decision was made. If it says specifically “by our medical authorities” my guess would be that you had conditions that were not waiverable or that the doctors at Keller recommended a “not grant” back to admissions. If you feel that there is additional medical information that should have been presented that might have effected the outcome, I would attempt to contact admissions and ask if there is any opportunity for the doctors to further review your file after you have provided all of your additional medical information. Again. I would stress that actual medical diagnosis, data, and prognosis will probably get you farther then civilian doctor’s opinions. USMA and their prep school are linked and medically they are one.

As far as USNA, Naval Reserve (ROTC), and even Army ROTC - all have different waiver criteria and processes. Just because you were denied by West Point does not mean you might not have better luck with another branch / service entity. Again, I do not know your medical conditions or reason(s) for DODMERB disqualification but fight till they say it is over, have a plan “B“ ready, and explore all avenues. One final thought: depending on your condition and past treatments - sometimes a year or two of additional recovery, or time since an event may effect medical determinations. Try to see if you can find out if any additional treatment, time elapsed, or physician recommendations might change the outcome decision should you apply again. Good luck!

 

[MP83]

sorry...though, don't give up! Go to college that has an Army ROTC program, which you can do the first year despite your denied waiver. Then, re-apply.....it's not the end, it's just another opportunity for you to explore. Lots and lots of applicants apply multiple times and eventually and receive appointments. Good luck!