What happens if waiver denied after the start of school

[IrishBrewer]

My daughter was mis-diagnosed with asthma around her 8th or 9th grade year so it is in her medical file and this is some cause for concern as she was awarded a first round AROTC scholarship and has settled on a school that has a very high tuition. After the initial diagnosis, she only used a prescribed inhaler a handful of times but hasn't used one at all in the last 3 years. She is a top level endurance athlete and state qualifier in track and cross country multiple times, district champion, 2-sport varsity athlete every year in HS etc. She regularly does 10 mile training runs throughout the entire year, even in the bitter cold and does so without any breathing difficulties. Nonetheless, she is concerned that there is yet a possibility that a request for a waiver from a DQ could be denied leaving her on the hook for a big tuition bill.

She is pursuing a medical respiratory function test through our pediatrician but even passing that will not be a guarantee for a waiver.

What is her best course of action to limit her risks?

 

[MohawkArmyROTC]

Here are the waiver conditions for asthma:

Condition: Asthma/reactive airway disease/exercise induced bronchospasm after age 13

IAW AR 40-501Chapter 2 and DoDI 6130.03 Enclosure 4 meets waiver criteria when no oral or inhaled steroid, infrequent rescue inhaler use and normal Pulmonary Function Test

IAW AR 40-501 Chapter 3 when requires inhaled steriods does not meet retention standards

For determination:

a. IAW AR 40-501 Chapter 3Asthma/reactive airway disease/exercise induced bronchospasm after age 13 meets retention standards when does not required inhaled steroid therapy, uses rescue inhaler infrequently and has normal Pulmonary Function Test.

b. AR 40-501 Chapter 2 and DoDI 6130.03 Enclosure 4 Asthma/reactive airway disease/exercise induced bronchospasm after age 13 meets accession and standards for commissioning when above conditions are met.

For waiver approval:

a. IAW AR 40-501 Chapter 2 History of Asthma/reactive airway disease/exercise induced bronchospasm after age 13 does not meet the standards for accession. Per the Office of The Surgeon General specialty consultant History of Asthma/reactive airway disease/exercise induced bronchospasm after age 13 meets waiver criteria when candidate does not required inhaled steroid therapy, uses rescue inhaler infrequently and has normal Pulmonary Function Test.

b. IAW DoDI 6130.03 Enclosure 4 History of Asthma/reactive airway disease/exercise induced bronchospasm after age 13 meets standards for commissioning when above waiver conditions are met.

For waiver disapproval:

a. IAW AR 40-501 Chapter 2 History of Asthma/reactive airway disease/exercise induced bronchospasm after age 13 does not meet the standards for accession. Per the Office of The Surgeon General specialty consultant History of Asthma/reactive airway disease/exercise induced bronchospasm after age 13 does not meet waiver criteria when candidate requires inhaled steroid therapy and has a condition confirming Pulmonary Function Test.

b. IAW DoDI 6130.03 Enclosure 4 History of Asthma/reactive airway disease/exercise induced bronchospasm after age 13 does not meet standards for commissioning when above waiver conditions are not met.

 

[AROTC-dad]

Mohawk has given you great DoDMERB tools to make an educated decision. Obviously you cannot know for sure if she will receive the waiver.

It is a tough choice to go for the "brass ring" expensive school or a more affordable state university.

Back in 2015, my non-scholarship DS chose to attend an AROTC state school that he could afford to attend with or without an scholarship, and decline the acceptance to the out of state SMC, that would have required loans to attend. He did not want to have to switch schools if he failed to earn a scholarship, nor did he want to graduate in debt.

During his freshman year he earned a 3 year campus based scholarship. He ended up loving his choice and has thrived there.

Your mileage may vary.

Good luck.

 

[IrishBrewer]

We are in the process of having her take a Pulmonary function test by our pediatrician (on our own dime) and as I stated she does not need or use an inhaler or any other medication for asthma. If I understand the above properly, assuming she passes the pulmonary function test, she should be granted the waiver. I understand that this is not a guarantee but it sounds like if they want her, the waiver can be granted. She is a solid candidate in all other areas as well so I think she should pursue the school she is interested in assuming she has done all she can to mitigate the risks of being DQ'd.

 

[AROTC-dad]

think she should pursue the school she is interested in assuming she has done all she can to mitigate the risks of being DQ'd.

The Brass Ring it is! No regrets and don't look back. Best of luck to her.