<p>Hence my comment.</p>
<p>I do remember the waiver being mentioned, though. </p>
<p>That paper has to be buried somewhere....</p>
<p><em>wipes brow</em> Thanks for that Zaphod, I was really getting worried about that. As far as I know it's the only medical disqualification I could possibly get at the moment.</p>
<p>Can anyone give me any advice if this eyesight is too horrible? I just went to the optometrist today. Was told I have finger acuity, pretty much can only see if a finger was held in front of my face. It corrects to 20/20, but it's 7.75 diopters for my contacts and 8.5 for my glasses.</p>
<p>hang in there
wavers for people with your vision correction happened this year. One I know of at our daughter's school was 8.0 in both eyes and got an appointment</p>
<p>Thank you, that's very good news for me. I'm just going to be praying my eyes don't get any worse. I got a letter from AFA today, as I'm applying there also, saying DodMERB will schedule my examination this summer, so I'll be requesting waivers pretty early.</p>
<p>erbium
you don't request waivers, in actual fact. Once you get your DoDMERB's results - they tell YOU what the problems are...and in USNA's case, if it concerns eye stuff, depending on the results, they tell you what they want - or they tell you that your condition is 'waiverable' and THEY make that decision.</p>
<p>In our case, the first round of DoDMERB asked some follow up questions about some infant allergy reactions, so we answered those. But her vision came back as 'waiverable'....and so we just had to sit tight. Then USNA changed the minimum requirements and she qualified outright without needing a waiver for her eyes.</p>
<p>Don't worry about eyesight unless your child is completely blind. I am a -5.75 dipoter and I got an appointment this year. So they do accept us blind folk.</p>
<p>blind folk: yes, color blind folk: no. Still gotta tell those red nuns from the green ones! ;)</p>
<p>Even red nuns have odd green cans.</p>
<p>If you find a green nun, you're in trouble. ;)</p>
<p>no wonder I keep going aground! ;)</p>
<p>As peskemom, Zaphod and others have stated, when it comes to DoDMERB and waivers, get started early and expect a LOT of frustration (and waiting!).</p>
<p>This is experience speaking. We were "on the edge" until late March/early April and that was with an LOA.</p>
<p>Peskemom mentioned Ms. Rita, and she is "the" one to speak to at the Academy about waiver status. BUT get in touch with your Regional Director, they CAN and DO have a lot of sway.</p>
<p>Also, if possible get into a summer seminar session. This gives you an idea of what to expect as well as exposure to upperclassmen. They do put an evaluation in your AC file. </p>
<p>AND NEVER GIVE UP - if it's truly what you want. :D</p>
<p>Good luck and GO NAVY!</p>
<p>wvdad and others...the lady in USNA med is Rita Wacker. Nice lady and very helpful. She was calling us in August about med stuff on our kid's app....and always returned my calls. She spoke at NASS#2 at least last year as well, since my daughter recognized the name. The biggest thing she told the prospective candidates: "Don't do anything physically stupid to hurt yourself and therefore deny yourself showing up on I-Day."</p>
<p>Thanks for the info everyone. I'll remember that name when I go to NASS.
peskemom, sorry if I seemed clueless when I was talking about requesting a waiver. I had looked at the DoDMERB website and there were some ROTC and academies which require you to submit a request instead of doing it automatically, I got mixed up.</p>
<p>Hey, I just got my waiver for my bad eyesight. I am in to the academy, but I'm confused as to where I can go once I am commissioned. My letter said unrestricted line, but I'm not sure what that is or how I could possibly we unrestricted. If anyone can help, that would be great, thanks for all of the advice guys, I've been reading for a while : )</p>
<p>~Rachel</p>
<p>You will have a new physical sometime after you sign your committment papers during your 2/C year. Your status at that point determines which of the options you qualify for. I do not know the restrictions or medical qualifications, but I am sure someone has a link to help you out.
CM</p>
<p>Read the back of the DoDMERB form you get in the mail. Things may have changed since the class of '08 went through the process, but the disqualification form directed my mid to apply for the medical waiver (not vision-related) and indicated to whom the request should be made. He never actually received a waiver, but was assurred that should he come in line for an appointment, his medical situation would not impede it.</p>
<p>Funny, he continued to be DQ from NROTC until about two months after he received his USNA appointment.
CM</p>