Waiver Timeframe?

It could be made less frustrating

Hi, my son has been awarded an Army ROTC scholarship contingent upon his being medically qualified, but he did not medically qualify and is waiting to hear whether he will get a waiver. He returned the scholarship acceptance letter last March, and we have had anxiety about it ever since, due to delays on the Cadet Command side of things and also due to ignorance of the process.

Either the letter announcing the scholarship award should or the initial DODMERB paperwork should outline some explanation of the procedure, along with a note stating that if one is not medically qualified by the end of the first semester of school they could end up paying back the tuition. We did not find out about that little nugget of information until a few weeks before school started and my son had already lost other scholarship opportunities. It would have been nice to know that before there was no real choice in the matter. It should be written down clearly. We will have to pay back over 10k if my son does not medically qualify, because the University that the scholarship was offered at is out of state for us. Trust me I would not have taken that risk.

Also, the candidate should be told that if they meet conditions x,y or z it is grounds for a medical disqualification. The rules are pretty clear, so the candidate should be told. For example, my son had childhood asthma. The rule is that anyone with anything to do with asthma on their medical records past the age of 13 will automatically be disqualified. Yet we had to go through this whole thing where we get exams done, and wait for the results, then a request comes for us to send all of the medical records. All of that takes a lot of time. If, on the initial paperwork, there was the requirement for us to send the medical records then we would have found out much much earlier that he was going to be medically disqualified. We could have prepared him for another route. As it is the time was too late and we had no other choice.

I am not in any way upset about the fact that the ROTC scholarship process is selective. That is completely understandable. I am aware of how much medical conditions can cost the gov in lost duty time and medical retirements etc. I just think that more information should be given to candidates about the process.

It is unfortunate if there is not at least more medical testing requested for my son, as he is participating in training for the Ranger Challenge. He was one of the few who qualified, and he was one of the few that completed a six mile ruck run (in full uniform with a loaded ruck sack).
I could have literally written this entire post. Same branch, same scholarship, same condition - and also still no answer on waiver. Just sending you hugs.
 
It could be made less frustrating

Hi, my son has been awarded an Army ROTC scholarship contingent upon his being medically qualified, but he did not medically qualify and is waiting to hear whether he will get a waiver. He returned the scholarship acceptance letter last March, and we have had anxiety about it ever since, due to delays on the Cadet Command side of things and also due to ignorance of the process.

Either the letter announcing the scholarship award should or the initial DODMERB paperwork should outline some explanation of the procedure, along with a note stating that if one is not medically qualified by the end of the first semester of school they could end up paying back the tuition. We did not find out about that little nugget of information until a few weeks before school started and my son had already lost other scholarship opportunities. It would have been nice to know that before there was no real choice in the matter. It should be written down clearly. We will have to pay back over 10k if my son does not medically qualify, because the University that the scholarship was offered at is out of state for us. Trust me I would not have taken that risk.

Also, the candidate should be told that if they meet conditions x,y or z it is grounds for a medical disqualification. The rules are pretty clear, so the candidate should be told. For example, my son had childhood asthma. The rule is that anyone with anything to do with asthma on their medical records past the age of 13 will automatically be disqualified. Yet we had to go through this whole thing where we get exams done, and wait for the results, then a request comes for us to send all of the medical records. All of that takes a lot of time. If, on the initial paperwork, there was the requirement for us to send the medical records then we would have found out much much earlier that he was going to be medically disqualified. We could have prepared him for another route. As it is the time was too late and we had no other choice.

I am not in any way upset about the fact that the ROTC scholarship process is selective. That is completely understandable. I am aware of how much medical conditions can cost the gov in lost duty time and medical retirements etc. I just think that more information should be given to candidates about the process.

It is unfortunate if there is not at least more medical testing requested for my son, as he is participating in training for the Ranger Challenge. He was one of the few who qualified, and he was one of the few that completed a six mile ruck run (in full uniform with a loaded ruck sack).
 
I am in AFROTC (3rd year, AS500) so i only have until PSP packets get sent up in february to get a waiver. as of today I am under waiver review, for eating disorder/anxiety. I have never been medicated or hospitalized, it was a diagnosis that I believe shouldn’t exist. It was super blown out of proportion and my mom seemed to be dead-set on having me diagnosed.
I’ve sent up everything that I can already, I have gotten doctors letters clearing me, psych evaluation, I don’t know what else to do.

Is there anything I can do to help expedite the process? I don’t have 3 months to wait, especially considering I will probably need to appeal the waiver decision.
Did you get a waiver
 
1st time on here sorry if I am not asking correctly.
Any way you can look at my posts and provide any feedback amd or anyother info for me?

Thanks
@MullenLE has temporarily stepped aside from SAF related to the computer issues.

We all hope he is back soon.
 
It won't be much longer....:thumb:
Mr. Mullen,
Would love your perspective on my son’s situation. He has been medically disqualified due to suspected keratoconus in his left eye but a waiver has been submitted. Do you have any knowledge/experience with this specific medical disqualification. Any guidance or information you could provide, would be incredibly helpful! We are stressing over here for sure!
 
@MullenLE has temporarily stepped aside from SAF related to the computer issues.

We all hope he is back soon.
Mr. Mullen,
Would love your perspective on my son’s situation. He has been medically disqualified due to suspected keratoconus in his left eye but a waiver has been submitted. Do you have any knowledge/experience with this specific medical disqualification. Any guidance or information you could provide, would be incredibly helpful! We are stressing over here for sure!
@MullenLE
 
Lol “It won’t be much longer” was 12 years before the computer problems.
 
Popping back in to say after 6 months we received word that my sons waiver requests (2 of them!) were approved. 6 months from last appointment/submittal of AMI. This was for Army, ROTC. Those still waiting... they really are working I swear.
Hasn't showed up in DODMERB yet and we haven't received the official memo from BDE but just knowing is such a relief! Best of luck to all in that boat!
 
Popping back in to say after 6 months we received word that my sons waiver requests (2 of them!) were approved. 6 months from last appointment/submittal of AMI. This was for Army, ROTC. Those still waiting... they really are working I swear.
Hasn't showed up in DODMERB yet and we haven't received the official memo from BDE but just knowing is such a relief! Best of luck to all in that boat!
Just sent you a private message with a few questions
 
As I was reading through this, it said AROTC scholarship winners DQ’d had to request a waiver themselves. This was a very old post. Is this true? My son was notified almost a month ago and it still says under waiver review. Thank you.
 
As I was reading through this, it said AROTC scholarship winners DQ’d had to request a waiver themselves. This was a very old post. Is this true? My son was notified almost a month ago and it still says under waiver review. Thank you.
As I understand if, if you are a scholarship winner before you arrive to campus, you will be automatically considered for a waiver. Have your son reach out to his DoDMERB technician to check the status. Technicians are posted on the side of the DoDMERB website.
 
I needed a remedial eye exam and had it done at an MTF 2/24. Results submitted to Dodmerb but no confirmation that they received it and portal still says awaiting remedials. Any advice appreciated. LOA and nomination secured to USMA.
 
Back
Top