<p>High school freshman daughter is obsessed with pursuing Service Academy education and military career. Daughter was monitored for scoliosis (curvature of spine) for approximately 2 years, without any treatment. Although her curvature was at one point moderate, her spine straightened naturally and her orthopedist cleared her from further monitoring. She is active in sports and should be able to meet the physical qualifications. Will this issue disqualify her?</p>
<p>It may. </p>
<p>There are over 400 different medical conditions that can disqualify someone from a service academy.</p>
<p>But DQ’s are not the end of the line - waivers are granted every year, for almost every condition on the list. </p>
<p>Much of it depends on the strength of your daughter’s application and how badly a particular SA wants her. </p>
<p>As a parent, you can prepare by gathering and maintaining all of her medical records from birth to present, as well as (may be premature now) having her physician write a letter detailing her condition (or lack of) and stating that she shows no symptoms or has any restrictions on activity. When (if) the DQ arrives you will be better prepared for all the follow-up (known as “remedials”) questions and forms.</p>
<p>:cool:</p>
<p>I answered this over on <a href=“http://www.servicecademyforums.com%5B/url%5D”>www.servicecademyforums.com</a>, but I want to reiterate ov rhere since sometimes not everybody is on both sites. I am sure Larry Mullen will also reply…he is the best and only on that site will you find DODmerb only threads, which will become lifelines for many applicants/candidates and cadets</p>
<p>DH has scoliosis history in his family. He was dq’d prior to COMMISSIONING as a Lt. The AF said he had a 23 degree curve, his folks took him to a specialist and it was found that the x-ray at Andrews was done improperly. He has a 17 degree curve, and was able to be commissioned and fly fighters for 20 yrs. The AF never did any medical check-ups or waivers after his commissioning. I only state this b/c DODmerb might req an x-ray, and if the results come out worse than what it is now, be assured that is not necessarily the end of the road, just a bump!</p>
<p>I suspect that Dodmerb will probably ask for more medical review regarding this issue, but you have at least 2 yrs (if she is a rising soph) before the issue will be resolved. From your post on the other forum it seems that her curvature is very minimal. Most peoplefamiliar with scoliosis understands that everybody has a curvature, it is when it gets to a certain point that it becomes dangerous since the curvature can start crushing organs (SIL had a 38 degree at 13, now has a medal rod in her back. Niece had a 43 at 11 was wearing a brace since she was 4 for 20 hrs a day and had the op 6 mos ago).
Your DD never had to wear a brace so I also suspect that it will only be additional paperwork to submit from a specialist.</p>
<p>We were warned that any, even minor, physical weakness would make one a target screaming trainers to just bear down without mercy. And that more students drop out of the Academys due to the stress of physical training that due to academic issue. If you are not a varsity-level athlete that academies will be an unending torture. </p>
<p>That’s sad; there are so many really talented engineers and scientists that the military needs - but they are not bullet-proof jocks, conditioned to be screamed at by coaches since little-league. I wish there were a service academy for smart folks who do not care to jump out of planes and be screamed at; they might have a calling to serve their country as well.</p>
<p>toadstool,
What you state is simply not the case. Although most cadets/mids at all 5 academies are likely to have been HS athletes, they are not “conditioned to be screamed at since little league.” Many, many cadets/mids make it through beast every year. Many would call it “a lot like scout camp” more than “an unending torture.” While some of it was just tedious, much of it was “kind of fun,” according to several soon-to-be-Yuks I know.</p>
<p>toadstool - being physically fit for a service academy is important. The service academies are very physical places. Being a soldier is very physical. Officers set and example for the soldiers and sailors and airmen that they lead.
I would not say that any minor physical weakness makes one a target during summer training, attitude makes one a target.<br>
My daughter made it through beast and she had fun, for most of it.</p>
<p>Being an athlete is a plus for attending a service academy. Every cadet is an athlete is absolutely true. Athletics is required. A strong mind and a strong body are fine attributes for any soldier, especially an officer. Playing team sports offers many benefits - they teach leadership, striving for a goal, teamwork, dedication, fortitude and instill the desire to win. </p>
<p>It may surprise you that the Service academies are full of cadets and midshipmen who are both brainy and brawny.</p>
<p>toadstool,</p>
<p>You’ve been given bad information regarding the treatment of cadets by the academies. </p>
<p>Please try to independently confirm broad statements, both good and bad, regarding the rigors of the physical, emotional and academic enviroments of the academies. The information is out there and is readily available.</p>
<p>Regarding the physical demands of the academies, just take a look at the cadets shown in recent USMA reception day and graduation pictures. You’ll see that cadets of all sizes and shapes have been admitted to and prospered at West Point. Yes, USMA requires cadets to maintain a certain level of physical fitness. No, that level of fitness does not require cadets to be physical superstars.</p>
<p>But don’t take my word for it. Check the USMA website out yourself and read about the USMA program and its physical fitness requirements.</p>
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<p>Sounds like you are a fan of the proposal for a Service Academy “Lite” that some in Washington D.C. are proposing.</p>