<p>My No.2 unit was diagnosed with asthms at the age of 8 at which time he cycled the shots so he would not need the inhaler. So since he was diagnosed there were no asthma induced situations...yea! That being said I have read a few things: </p>
<ol>
<li>As long as the asthma came before the age of 13 all would be okay... </li>
<li>Even with the diagnosed asthma they will test him and a waiver will be needed...</li>
</ol>
<p>Which is true or what more should he understand? Either way he will pass the asthma test because he has had it before. I just get all mixed thoughts on if going through the process is a waist of time for him. The kid really wants to serve as an officer. If it's better for me to let him down easy now I would rather do that now before he gets too deep and finds out the tough way.</p>
<p>If he dose have the chance to get in please add some thought to the following:</p>
<p>He would like to be involved in one of the sports he plays in HS, yes he is good. One sport is soccer the other is crew. Either one will be tough, but he has some time (no much) to figure that out.</p>
<p>In Jan he said he will need to start the process of trying to get in and has already started networking with people for letters of rec. for the appoitment. He also said he wants to submit for some crazy camp in the summer. He also wants to get into another program that will hold weight just not sure what that was but it's somehow connected. </p>
<p>He currently maintains a 3.84 GPA, top 25% of his class. I was told by his guidance that from what they know of the PSAT he scored in the 190 to 210 range. How they would know that I don't know unless they were the proctor and saw the test. It's only the PSAT so I'm not so sure how that will rate. He will take both the SAT and ACT soon enough. He has lettered twice but will have another 2 letters at the end of his jr. year. Has leadership responsibilities in both sports. Is currently working on an extra curricular leadership outside of school but for the school. Will be involved in a beach clean-up activity (Sandy) when the weather turns and the area is safe for younger people to enter. Has several volunteer hours in other areas. Has leadership responsibilities in coaching young kids in his craft of soccer and crew. He really got lucky with the crew thing, not a lot of schools have it and he now has what will be 5 years of experience. Supported and got involved to get a dog certified as a therapy dog - not the trainer / handler he was a subject. He has other qualities but he is also just like most kids, young with little to know wisdom.</p>
<p>I understand it's a different process than colleges, I'm just looking for thoughts so I can give some quality insight, feedback and guidance. Please be gentle I'm just trying to collect some thoughts that may come of help.</p>
<p>Thank you all in advance for any help / feedback!!</p>
<p>Good luck to all that have made it and will be making it.</p>
<p>CC used to be active for academy info but has pretty much all moved over there during the past couple years.</p>
<p>As far as the asthma part, no one can really say. The bottom line is that he needs to go through the Dodmerb exam (which won’t be until most likely at least summer of his senior year) and see what happens. I’ve also been told A. That as long as it was before the age of 12 (maybe 13?) and there was nothing since then that it was fine. But it certainly wouldn’t surprise me for them to do additional testing. So really it’s a “you don’t know unless you try” thing.</p>
<p>I’m guessing for next summer he’s talking about NASS (Summer Seminar). I strongly recommend he apply for this - my boys did it and loved the experience. It’ll give him a look inside the academy and the chance to talk to mids and participate in a lot of cool things (academics, physical, military). I’d only warn that it is somewhat of an outreach/promotion program so it will be a lot harder to get into if you’re on the East Coast (as a generalization). If by chance he doesn’t get in, don’t take that as a sign that he can’t get into the academy. Also, consider the sports camps USNA offers as an alternate plan to see behind the scenes a bit. As a rising senior, it could also give him the chance to talk with and be checked out by the coaches in the sport he’s considering.</p>
<p>Also guessing he was talking about Boys State which is a national (but state-run) program during the summer before senior year as well. Participation is very highly regarded by the academies so if he has the chance to attend (different state & schools have different selection methods), he should.</p>
<p>Feel free to shoot me a PM if you’d like my email to answer any other questions. I’m definitely not a USNA expert (West Point liaison instead, and have a son at USAFA and another who turned down USNA to do NROTC) but the application process is very similar for all academies. On that note though, definitely have him start investigating ROTC as another way to reach his goal of being a Navy officer. My son was certain after NASS that he wanted USNA but the more he looked into other schools and the NROTC program, the more he liked that option. If nothing else it gives them a plan B, plus shows interviewers (on the congressional interviews, etc.) that he is serious about becoming an officer.</p>
<p>No on one here is a DODMERB doctor, so we can’t provide answers to specific medical questions like you are asking (nor can anyone on that other forum either). The demands of the military are such that they have specific medical requirements for good reasons. Without applying and following the process, you really have no way to determine how it will turn out.</p>
<p>Academic or extracurricular performance in h.s. is separate from passing your medical with DODMERB, one doesn’t trump the other. The reality is that LOTS of talented h.s. students apply to the various military academies who are the top in what they do from all across the country and those are the ones you are competing against. It is good to be realistic when applying and always pursue a plan B. Other then that, no one on any of these forums can rank an applicant’s ‘chances’ of getting an appointment.</p>
<p>Forums can be helpful to answering general questions about how the process works and what to be aware of. That is the main benefit you will get from participating here or at any simliar sites.</p>
<p>Thank you for the insight this is what I was hoping for… I’ll dive into the link provided as well as the other information and digress into what I can do to support his way. I told him I would be there form him but as an ex-Navy guy myself I needed to know that it was coming from his heart and not as a vehicle. He won me over with the response. </p>
<p>I didn’t think about the camps where he can meet and greet the coach, that’s an excellent idea. I’ll feed him the information and see how he runs with it. I really want to get more involved but it’s important for him to begin his own journey and make it his own. My footprints in the sand have already been created, it’s now his turn to create his own.</p>