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Regarding shots, depending on your health insurance, many, but not all, are covered. If they are covered, get them; if not, get military shots - the price is right. For instance, the meningitis shot runs about $120 & is rarely paid by insurance. Get it on the government.
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<p>Personally, I think this would be a mistake, on many levels.</p>
<p>First, most colleges (service academies included) require the meningitis shot. There is a reason for this: risk goes up considerably just living in close quarters, such as dorms. Getting meningitis does happen, it is at best not fun, and at worse it can kill you. (I refer to the Princeton freshman from this past year). </p>
<p>Second, it take several weeks for you to develop antibodies, which should be enough of an arguement to get vaccinated ahead of time. </p>
<p>Third, if you are going to have a reaction, better to have it at home where you can stay in bed for a few hours, rather than as a Plebe trying to get through PEP at 0530 hours, where bed is not an option.</p>
<p>Spend the $120- it is well worth it.</p>
<p>Marine man: those ranges (diastolic 60 to 80, and then at times to 90) are not making sense, assuming they are all taken at rest. Assume you have had this checked into....?</p>
<p>The disqualification for color blindness happens every year. My son had our congresswoman's primary nomination for the Naval Academy last year and could not pass the color blindness test. The Naval Academy allowed him to take an alternative test which he also failed. When I spoke to the Admissions Office about a waiver for color blindness I was told that they are very, very rarely granted. The person I spoke with said that every year on I Day kids are sent home because they are color blind. Not all kids "cheat" on the test to actually make it to Annapolis. Some color blind kids, primarily red-green color blind kids, can guess correctly about half of the time and pass the test. I would also add that the Naval Academy Admission's Office recommended that my son apply to West Point, which did in fact allow him to take a third color blind test that measures only the ability to distinguish between vivid red and vivid green which he passed. He was granted a waiver by West Point. If you are color deficient in any way, consider West Point.</p>
<p>I had all this checked into and have been cleared by DoDMERB. My cardiologist was stumped because I am fit and all the tests she runs (echocardiograms, ultrasounds, home BP monitoring, etc.) are all normal, but at the office, my BP elevates. I am just concerned about what may happen if a reading is high on IDay, even though DoDMERB has deemed me medically qualified.</p>
<p>our kiddo had hers out in April 06 and we opted to not bother with telling USNA, figuring that once they looked in her mouth on I-Day - if they wanted to ask they could- we were swamped enough with paperwork and forms to not want to open yet another can of worms on something inconsequential</p>
<p>^^^^
I agree with peskemom. Unless you are going in for major surgery, I wouldn't muck up the waters with something inconsequential like having teeth removed.</p>
<p>I know there were 3 lacrosse brothers that were color blind and I guess they got the waivers. I remember hearing about it while watchin the game</p>
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I had all this checked into and have been cleared by DoDMERB. My cardiologist was stumped because I am fit and all the tests she runs (echocardiograms, ultrasounds, home BP monitoring, etc.) are all normal, but at the office, my BP elevates. I am just concerned about what may happen if a reading is high on IDay, even though DoDMERB has deemed me medically qualified.
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<p>Hummm...</p>
<p>well, should they do a BP check, might want to close your eyes for a few, take some really deep breaths, and concentrate on relaxing and slowing things down a bit (heart rate)...think "beach"... (not as in "hitting beach" but in "basking in the sun on the beach on a perfect sunny day).... then stick your arm out and hope for the best.</p>
<p>ps...lay off salty foods the week prior to reporting, as well as all caffiene products, chocolate, etc.</p>
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I know there were 3 lacrosse brothers that were color blind and I guess they got the waivers. I remember hearing about it while watchin the game
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<p>have not heard about this at all.</p>
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Unless you are going in for major surgery, I wouldn't muck up the waters with something inconsequential like having teeth removed.
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<p>Disagree- would report that teeth were removed. This will not require any further paperwork of any kind. Likewise, list any additional vaccinations you may have gotten prior to reporting (ie: menningitis vaccine). Both are quite routine, and are easily screened and passed without any additional footwork on the candidates part. IMHO.</p>
<p>"Likewise, list any additional vaccinations you may have gotten prior to reporting (i.e.: meningitis vaccine). Both are quite routine, and are easily screened and passed without any additional footwork on the candidates part."</p>
<p>We reported all of the additional shots son received prior to reporting, even had a call from USNA Medical asking a question of which we faxed the response back so they would have it in writing AND son carried updated copy of shot record with him...all for not as he received ALL required shots AGAIN on I-Day! </p>
<p>When it comes to USNA Medical I would send the original paperwork and not muck up the system with anything additional unless it truly is major as it seems "too much information" will work against you!</p>
<p>^^^^ our experience was different- our son did not have to repeat any vaccinations following arrival, this after updating his record with his menningitis vaccination. He, too, carried a copy of everything with him.</p>
<p>As a general rule of thumb, I think not keeping your medical records accurate and up to date is a big mistake. IMHO.</p>
<p>Navy2010...I didn't say don't keep them up to date, I just indicated that Medical is deluged with forms prior to I day and that it would have been better not to have rushed to get the forms to them and just let son carry updated forms with him as it didn't seem to do any good sending them. </p>
<p>We did not have to send any dental x-rays, and non have been requested nor have any been taken at USNA.</p>
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We reported all of the additional shots son received prior to reporting, even had a call from USNA Medical asking a question of which we faxed the response back so they would have it in writing AND son carried updated copy of shot record with him...all for not as he received ALL required shots AGAIN on I-Day!
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<p>That sounds like the Medical Department I remember. When I was at the academy we had a rubella outbreak. The medical officer decided to let the outbreak take its course through the brigade. A few weeks later, Medical retracted because they had calculated that letting the outbreak take its course would take us well into the summer past June Week. Medical then proceeded to innoculate the entire brigade regardless of whether or not we had already contracted rubella. Cattle call time!</p>
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Navy2010...I didn't say don't keep them up to date, I just indicated that Medical is deluged with forms prior to I day and that it would have been better not to have rushed to get the forms to them and just let son carry updated forms with him as it didn't seem to do any good sending them.
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<p>profmom: thanks for the clarification. </p>
<p>I would agree- no need to rush to mail things in, as they may/may not make it to the file in time to make a difference, but I would still send in all requested material. I would strongly agree that any updates (especially with vacinnations) be kept with the candidate on I-Day and given to the medical station for review.</p>
<p>My son had wisdom teeth taken out in April/May, vaccinations done and sent in info+x rays as an update. No problems. They still gave him vaccinations again on I Day even with the paperwork in hand.</p>
<p>I know that in the class of 2007, a couple of kids were DQ because they'd gotten tattoos AFTER their DoDMERBS physical. All tattoos are documented at the physical and if there are any changes in the candidate's medical status between the physical and I-Day, they must inform DoDMERBS. </p>
<p>Tatoos are not to be visible in swimwear which means no tattoos on the trunk, arms or legs. Most Midshipman will be required to have any tattoos that are visible removed at their own expense by their 2nd Class year.</p>