A lesson for future LoA recipients

Colleges and Universities A-Z Military Academy - West Point
1

<p>It brings you back to Earth. I read a lot of threads asking about LoA recipients not getting an appointment. Well, I just became one. LoA and nomination in hand, I failed to receive it. Now that really is a stake to the heart. Since my first post on here I've passed physically and academically. I even cut a deal with the school registrar to get my grades in early, since our school doesn't get transcripts ready until a month into second semester. And for my weight, I ate a bunch and worked out to get to the appropriate weight.</p>

<p>I had been medically DQ'd for myopia over 8.00 diopters, and my waiver was denied for myopia greater than 8.00 diopters. Apparently "correctable 20/20" doesn't hold true. If I had been DQ'd twice for the exact same reason, why did they pursue a waiver in the first place. And it certainly makes me wonder why they didn't just state those eyesight worse than 8.00 are ineligible rather than the above quote; said misleading quote must have lead more than a few people to waste a year of their lives.</p>

<p>I think I can say I was 2 Q'd and a nom. They say a waiver depends on how much they want you, but I guess a LoA has no bearing on how much they want you.</p>

<p>My liaison officer said that LoA recipients are supposed to expect a 95% acceptance rate. I guess someone's gotta take the heat for the last five.</p>

<p>To tell you the truth, my dream of going to West Point was more than anything to join the army. I've wanted to do it for a long time for a personal philosophical reason (if you want me to go in depth, maybe we can talk about it over a coffee). I had a plan B which was just to join, but with a medical DQ, that's not possible anymore.</p>

<p>So I guess my best advice for LoA recipients is to not treat the letter as anything special. Those parents who refuse to let kids celebrate are right. There's not need to jump with joy; an appointment is what you want. Don't make the mistake that I made. Erase that letter from your memory and focus solely on your application. Lest you give yourself to hubris and miss the little errors here and there. Stay vigilant no matter what, and apply never thinking you'll get in. I like to say: Hope for the best, and prepare for the worst. Word of caution, though, even if you prepare for the worst, if you don't get what you want, you will cry, you will curse, you will despair, you will self-mutilate, etc.</p>

<p>As for me, the only course of action I have left is, if possible to ask my Congressman to withdraw my nomination and give it to someone who actually has a shot. That would be my service to this country.</p>

<p>So the next time someone asks who didn't get an appointment, you can all say a guy named David (that's my real name) didn't. I'm sure I can always tell people "I used to be a West Point cadet of next year" like how Al Gore says he "used to be the next President of the United States." But I doubt that'll be worth much.</p>

<p>Thoughts are welcome.</p>

2

<p>Your case illustrates how NOT being medically qualified can affect an LOA. Each year there are LOA recipients who do not become medically qualified. Some of those do not receive a medical waiver. Your case is not isolated.
Medical waivers are not decided by admissions (based on your LOA) but they go to the USMA Surgeon at Keller Army Community Hospital at West Point. </p>

<p>You are correct that it may not be enough to have vision correctable to 20/20. When you vision is very poor without correctable lenses it becomes a safety issue. What would happen if you were on patrol and you lost your contacts/glasses?</p>

<p>My condolences that USMA did not work out for you and thanks for your desire to serve. Did you try to get qualifed by ROTC? Sometimes a candidate is qualifed by ROTC and not USMA. It is also possible to get medically qualifed by MEPS (enlisting) and not DoDMERB.</p>

<p>Finally - I would also suggest you contact Larry Mullen at DoDMERB.
Email him here:
<a href=“mailto:Larry.Mullen@dodmerb.tma.osd.mil”>Larry.Mullen@dodmerb.tma.osd.mil</a>
He can go over your vision with you and tell you why you are not waiverable and perhaps let you know if you would be waiverable for ROTC.</p>

3

<p>First off - I am very sorry to hear your news. I have been lurking on the sidelines for a few month while my son was going through the nomination and admission process, and I have seen a number of your posts. You have always impressed me with your maturity and passion for the prospect of becoming a cadet. Your response to this setback has confirmed my impressions. You are exactly the kind of young person the Academy and the Army needs.</p>

<p>Now, a quick question (born of ignorance, I readily admit): Is laser surgery an option? Even if it could not get you all the way to 20-20, could it get you to a waiverable level? Or is surgery an immediate disqualifier? It may be a question you can ask Mr. Mullen.</p>

<p>I hope everything works out for you. Keep your chin up!</p>

4

<p>I found this on the DoDMERB website: </p>

<p>D152.20 Keratorefractive/laser surgery to reconfigure cornea Keratorefractive surgery or laser surgery utilized to reconfigure the cornea that does not meet standards</p>

<p>I’m guessing keratorefractive is medical jargon for lasik. I emailed Larry Mullen this morning asking him why it’s a DQ and if so what health risks it poses. He has yet to reply, but I’ll let you know if he does.</p>

<p>I’ve always understood how glasses and contacts can be risky, as Justamomof4 illustrates. The lasik, though, I think is a disqualification for cheating, since some people might be too poor to afford one. If Mr Mullen gives a green light I will be the first to bolt to the surgery room.</p>

5

<p>Procrast - I am so sorry to hear your news.
There may be an updated version to this document, but this info may be helpful.</p>

<p>From the AR 40-501 Standards of medical fitness (2007)
<a href=“http://www.army.mil/USAPA/epubs/pdf/r40_501.pdf[/url]”>http://www.army.mil/USAPA/epubs/pdf/r40_501.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>2–13. Vision
a. Current distant visual acuity of any degree that does not correct with spectacle lenses to at least one of the
following (367) is disqualifying:
(1) 20/40 in one eye and 20/70 in the other eye.
(2) 20/30 in one eye and 20/100 in the other eye.
(3) 20/20 in one eye and 20/400 in the other eye.
b. However, for entrance into USMA or ROTC, distant visual acuity that does not correct to 20/20 in one eye and
20/40 in the other eye is disqualifying. For entrance into OCS, distant visual acuity that does not correct to 20/20 in
one eye and 20/100 in the other eye is disqualifying.
c. Current near visual acuity (367) of any degree that does not correct to 20/40 in the better eye is disqualifying.
d. Current refractive error (hyperopia (367.0), myopia (367.1), astigmatism (367.2)), or history of refractive error
prior to any refractive surgery manifest by any refractive error in spherical equivalent of worse than -8.00 or +8.00
diopters is disqualifying. However, for entrance into USMA or Army ROTC programs, the following conditions are
disqualifying:
(1) Astigmatism, all types over 3 diopters.
(2) Hyperopia over 8.00 diopters spherical equivalent.
(3) Myopia over 8 diopters spherical equivalent.
(4) Refractive error corrected by orthokeratology or keratorefractive surgery.
e. Contact lenses. Current complicated cases requiring contact lenses for adequate correction of vision, such as
corneal scars (371) and irregular astigmatism (367.2), are disqualifying.
f. Color vision (368.5). Failure to pass a color vision test is not an automatic disqualification. Although there is no
standard, color vision will be tested because adequate color vision is a prerequisite for entry into many military
specialties. However, for entrance into the USMA or Army ROTC or OCS programs, the inability to distinguish and
identify without confusion the color of an object, substance, material, or light that is uniformly colored a vivid red or
vivid green is disqualifying.</p>

6

<p>“They say a waiver depends on how much they want you, but I guess a LoA has no bearing on how much they want you.”</p>

<p>An LOA means they West Point wants you provided that you meet predefined conditions, and being medically qualified is one of those conditions.</p>

<p>Since Medical waivers are not decided by Admissions, it is hard to blame them for the outcome. They did their part and applied for a waiver on your behalf.<br>
The decision to grant a waiver is based on a risk/benefit analysis.</p>

<p>“Word of caution, though, even if you prepare for the worst, if you don’t get what you want, you will cry, you will curse, you will despair, you will self-mutilate, etc.”</p>

<p>The self mutilate part is concerning. Can you explain further?</p>

7

<p>Procast - </p>

<p>Depending on how close you are to 8.00, a series of eye exercises can strengthen your eyes and take you under. Talk to your eye doctor and get a recommendation.</p>

8

<p>Hi everyone I need some help… I’m so stressed… If I don’t get in then it’ll be a waste. Any advice?</p>

9

<p>Garry232,</p>

<p>This will most likely fall on deaf ears, but here goes. Don’t stress. If you don’t get in, guess what happens? The worlds still turns, the sun rises, and you will move on. Now, what is your plan B? You MUST have a plan B because odds are, you will NOT be accepted, again, just based on the odds. I presume you’re a high school senior, versus someone already in the RA. Did you realize you have more than one shot at receiving an appointment? If not this year, what about next? Sure, it would be swell to be able to tell everyone this year, but how much do you really want to attend? Moreover, how much do you really want to serve in the Army?</p>

<p>Plan for the worst, hope for the best. Then you will be prepared.</p>

10

<p>Eye exercises won’t help myopia, which is caused by an eyeball that is too long. This results in light rays focusing in front of the retina. Don’t waste time or money on the bogus products/services you might hear about.</p>

11

<p>Interesting perspective. I’m not a medical professional, but an optometrist specializing in this area provided this counselling to my D, who was in exactly the same situation. Said it was worth 0.25-0.5 diopters.</p>

12

<p>KateLewis: From Procrasts previous posts his eyes are “9.25 and 8.75”. In addition, he has also posted about weight concerns (height of 63 inches, weight 105 lbs). I’m not sure if that factored into the DQ/waiver decision.</p>

13

<p>Ah. Not close, then. Nevermind.</p>

<p>Procrast - I’m sorry this won’t work out for you - and good luck. I’m sure you’ll have other options.</p>

14

<p>The LOA is pretty specific, I dont’t think its gonna give anyone a false impression if they read it from start to finish. It specifially says IF you are physically qualified, complete the application within the alloted time, and get a nomination you will get an appointment. For the vast majority of those who receive an LOA the appointment happens, for some unfortunately it does not. The letter is special. Most candidates do not receive one.</p>