DoDMerb denied waiver for eye sight and mood disorder

<p>As a freshman student at my college in the Air Force ROTC program, I am a little unsure what to do next. My Lt. informed me last week, that my DoDMERB waiver had been denied. She showed me a form, that listed “visual acuity greater than 20/200”, however I don’t want to be a pilot. Also listed was “history of mood disorder”; this relates to the medication I’m currently taking for OCD, a condition I had a few years back. </p>

<p>Because I’m in pursuance of a computer engineering degree , I do not believe that my medical conditions will negatively impact my career in the Air Force in any way. </p>

<p>I understand you can file a waiver multiple times and that political influence (i.e. letter from the state senator), might help in the approval of a waiver. I intend on getting letters from my doctors to aid in my appeal. However, I’m still a little concerned that there is more that needs to be done, and I’m not 100% sure what I got disqualified for. </p>

<p>What must I do next?</p>

<p>If you're currently taking medication for OCD, then my (completely unofficial) opinion is that you have almost zero chance of winning a waiver. The ONLY time I've heard of someone getting a waiver in such a situation is after they've been completely medication free for more than ONE YEAR and then been reevaluated by several doctors.</p>

<p>The vision qualification is easy in comparison--lots of current cadets with worse than 20/200--unless, of course, you cannot be corrected to 20/20.</p>

<p>Well, I've been negligent in taking my medication for the past two months and meet with my doctor this week to inform him that I'd like to get off the medication. Field training won't be till next summer, so is there still a chance that this can get cleared up?</p>

<p>I've been asked to return my ROTC uniforms and cannot attend anymore PT sessions or Leadership LABs. However, I plan to continue in the Air Force academic courses available, so that I don't fall behind in the program if I get readmitted.</p>

<p>I can't say for sure if you have any chance at all--I'm not an expert on this. Again, though, I think your chances are VERY slim. I'd start making other plans... Sorry.</p>