A: Medical Waivers: At every training sessions I have attended for USMA
admissions, we have been cautioned that specific guidance regarding medical
waivers is a matter best left to the professionals. I have learned that
truthfully, you can never say never, and never say always, as each case is
reviewed individually, and each has its own nuances.
In general, however, if, during its review, DODMERB discovers a
disqualifying condition, DODMERB discontinues its review and seeks guidance
from USMA whether USMA wants to pursue a waiver. The Regional Commander
reviews the candidate file from all other perspectives, and IF it is
determined that, aside from the medical condition, the candidate would
otherwise be admissible, (in other words, strong candidate file) - will
request that a waiver be requested. If USMA Directorate of Admissions seeks
a waiver, then DODMERB continues its review of the file to determine whether
there are any other disqualifying conditions, and at the same time forwards
the file to USMA for medical review. Based on this second medical review
and any information gleaned during the subsequent review of the rest of the
candidate file, USMA, acting through DODMERB, will request additional tests
be performed, paperwork submitted, explanations made, etc.
The candidate is then informed what, if any additional information is
requested - and upon supplying that information, the review process
continues again. How many waivers are granted? As many as needed - it's
not a number game - hypothetically, the entire class could be comprised of
candidates, who, for one reason or another, required additional medical
testing, etc... This is why the Regional Commanders stress the need for
timely submission of all candidate paperwork... If they have a file in early
March that is devoid of information (for example, only two letters of
recommendation are in, essays are not yet filed, etc) compared to the file
wherein everything is in, and the candidate is academically qualified and
has passed the PAE, guess which candidate file is more likely to have an
otherwise admissible candidate....
The numbers and reasons for medical waivers granted could potentially by
limitless - and no two files are the same. The medical condition you noted
was nearsightedness. There is nothing "typical" about each candidates
ability to see - how nearsighted is the candidate? Is it correctable to
20/20 with glasses? Are there other ocular conditions underlying the
nearsightedness?
Accordingly, and while not meaning to sound flip - the candidate's job is to
ensure that all other aspects of his/her file would otherwise support
his/her admissibility - and then follow the instructions by DODMERB to the
letter.... At the point of reviewing medical files and processing the
waiver, DODMERB is acting as the clearinghouse for all academies, ROTC
programs, etc. Your job is to act as promptly as possible with supplying
any additional requested information and taking any additional tests - and
then wait - and pray.
A: The granting or non-granting of medical waivers give West Point's
Directorate of Admission (DAD) through the Regional Commander (the
admissions officer assigned to one of the geographic areas) the
opportunity to objectively reject an applicant who, in the Regional
Commander's opinion, will not be a strong candidate for admission. The
granting of a medical waiver is completely discretionary. It is
therefore very important that an applicant complete his/her file as soon
as possible to enable the Regional Commander to adequately assess the
candidate.
A: As an admissions representative, I was given some very good advice several
years ago, and this advice is as relevant now as then - even moreso, IMHO.
Advice: When it comes to medical waivers, never say never, and never say
always. EVERY applicant's experiences with DODMERB will be different - some
breeze through the process, others have conditions that require further
explanation, additional testing or whatnot, and some candidates are
initially disqualified pursuant to the review conducted by DODMERB and then
have that initial determination either overturned (rebuttable conditions) or
waived by USMA (some non rebuttable conditions). Some, unfortunately,
remain disqualified, or actually are disqualified on more than one
circumstance.
That said, at this stage in the admissions process, parents need not know
all the intricacies of the DODMERB process - it's a huge bureaucracy and
yes, while the process has been streamlined, it nonetheless remains a
bureaucracy .... Reviews are initially conducted by the folks at DODMERB,
and if they determine that a disqualifying condition exists, they cease
their review of the rest of the file, and send it up to USMA Directorate of
Admissions to determine whether USMA will even seek a waiver. IF USMA DAD
determines that the candidate is, absent any medical condition, likely to be
a strong enough candidate to obtain an appointment, they will put in for a
waiver, and the *sometimes very* long waiver process begins. DODMERB then
continues its review of the file, and will also call for additional testing
as required. At this point, DODMERB and the Docs at Keller Army Hospital
work hand in hand. DODMERB remains the contact point for the candidate -
and sometimes is just the information gathering entity for USMA. There are
multiple levels of review, all of which *could* produce a thumbs up at any
time... and all of which take time.
Yes, there are levels of review - and yes, candidates should not lose hope.
Bottom line is, however, even when a waiver is granted - there has been a
determination that the candidate is commissionable - that the medical
condition under review would NOT preclude/prevent him/her from being
commissioned.
My recommendation as an admissions representative to all my candidates? Put
your best foot forward with your entire file - don't anticipate problems
with DODMERB; realize that all medical conditions are different from person
to person (degree of color blindness, accuracy of asthma diagnosis, severity
of muscle damage due to bad breaks, etc.) .... don't be discouraged from
applying because of a condition that may be disqualifying.... A DODMERB
disqualification just means that the medical condition did not fit in the
nice little box and needs further review... And, IF, as is the case with
many applicants, your son/daughter receives a disqualification notice from
DODMERB, follow the procedures set forth therein, and continue with the
efforts to gain admission...
And yes, the DODMERB process *can* become a
test of intestinal fortitude - and *yes* many candidates are kept anxiously
waiting while the process wends its seemingly endless way through to a final
resolution - but stick with it. The possibility of something showing up in
the medical arena exists for just about every candidate - so my advice is
always to open your file early, so that if there is a medical issue, there
is time - that precious entity - to jump through all requested hoops and
hopefully have the issue resolved in favor of the candidate being deemed
*medically qualified*.
