<p>Can someone give us hope? My son attended Summer Seminar, has received a LOA, has received 2 nominations, received an invitation for a weekend visit, but also has to be granted a medical waiver to be able to attend now. Last year he was hospitalized because of a very rare occurrence. His doctors diagnosed him with arteritis/vasculitis which is a blood vessel inflammation. He was treated, is on no medications and has not had any problems since. His dr. even said it would be extremely rare for him to ever have a reoccurence. The NROTC has denied him a medical waiver but the academy still says "pending waiver submission/review". Is there any hope that the academy might still give him a waiver?</p>
<p>There is only one person here who can help you, and he ain’t here. ;)</p>
<p>His name is Larry Mullen, he is the Deputy Director of DODMERB, and you can find him in the DODMERB section of [United</a> States of America Service Academy Forums](<a href=“http://www.serviceacademyforums.com%5DUnited”>http://www.serviceacademyforums.com) .</p>
<p>His contact info and contact instructions can be found [url=<a href=“http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showthread.php?t=3097]HERE[/url”>http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showthread.php?t=3097]HERE[/url</a>]</p>
<p>He will answer your question in about an hour. </p>
<p>Really.</p>
<p>:cool:</p>
<p>Here’s to good reports. Keep us posted.</p>
<p>Waivers are not greanted independently- meaning, all that gets posted is that the condition is “Waiverable.” As long as it is waiverable, your application will move forward to be considered.</p>
<p>Waivers go hand in hand iwth appointments. If you receive an appointment, your “waiverable” condition will be “waived.”</p>
<p>Do you mean that DODMERB status (waiver paperwork forwarded) won’t change until an appointment is offered? Son has LOA to one academy, 2Qs plus nom to another, waiting on waivers. He had assumed that DodMerb status would change on completion of medical review and that he would know at that time, and then his file would go back to admissions for action.</p>
<p>I can only speak to the process at USNA.</p>
<p>My understanding is that waivers are granted by USNA.
The number of waivers that can be granted for any given year is limited;this is especially true of vision [noting that the vision requirements have, in recent years, been relaxed]
Accordingly, waivers are granted to those that are being offered appointments, and from everything I have seen, are done simultaneously.</p>
<p>DoDMERB will note what conditions are “waiverable,” but do not grant the actual waiver; at USNA that is done by the academy.</p>
<p>Thanks navy2010! Your info at least gives us hope. I can’t get my son to even consider making other college plans because he is so determined that he is meant to be at the Naval Academy.</p>
<p>futurenavymom - if you haven’t already, please take Luigi’s advice and contact:
Larry Mullen
Deputy Director, Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DoDMERB)
8034 Edgerton Drive, Suite 132
USAFA, CO 80840-2200
PREFERRED METHOD OF CONTACT IS EMAIL 24/7/365 = <a href=“mailto:Larry.Mullen@dodmerb.tma.osd.mil”>Larry.Mullen@dodmerb.tma.osd.mil</a> </p>
<p>He helps kids like your son. He can explain the process to you, tell you how to appeal a waiver denial and make sure your son is not stuck in a bureaucratic hole as can sometimes happen. Whether or not he is granted a waiver from USNA is dependent on his specific medical case. Good Luck to him.</p>
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<p>can fully appreciate the burning desire to attend USNA, however to not have a back up plan in place is, IMO, a big mistake. No matter how good one looks on paper, LOA in hand, etc, the train can still fall off the track. I would stongly encourage your son to have at least one other application completed.</p>
<p>As for the advice to contact Larry Mullen, he is very helpful in this regard, keeping in mind that only the academy can grant waivers for waiverable issues. What he might be able to help with is getting the issue “waiverable,” and as mentioned, help you understand the process.</p>
<p>Best of luck.</p>
<p>Thanks to both of you. One more question - will Larry Mullen talk to me about my son since he is 18 now or will my son need to be the one to contact him? My son is very willing to do all the contacting it’s just hard sometimes with him being in school and sports. He has done all the work himself so far with the whole academy process, but as a mother I’m starting to get as bad as he is as far as wanting an answer. Sometimes I think I’m worse! I just know how bad he wants this and knowing that, I want it for him. I honestly think he eats, sleeps and breathes “NAVY”!<br>
Navy2010 - your advice on a backup plan will definitely be passed on to him. Trust me, he’s heard it from us but sometimes it helps to hear it from someone besides “Mom”.</p>
<p>futurenavymom, Larry Mullen says he is available 24/7, and means it; he responded to an email by calling me 15 minutes later on a Saturday evening – and gave me a fair amount of very goodnatured grief for overhovering. I understand your emotions exactly, but, really, put him in charge of it. With Larry’s willingness to be available, your son’s schedule shouldn’t get in the way.</p>
<p>My son spoke with someone in the Admissions department at the Academy. She told him his file was being reviewed for a waiver because he has been given a LOA. She couldn’t tell him how long it may take to get an answer. Does anyone know how long it could be before he hears something?</p>
<p>My son is in the same situation. According to DodMERB, the time frame for a waiver can be anywhere from two weeks to six months;the problems studied are so individual and the followup so varied that there is no “typical” time frame. Sorry it’s not better news.</p>
<p>I guess we’ll just have to have patience. Is your son trying to get in this year? I wish him the best of luck!</p>
<p>Sorry about that mmb5 - of course he’s trying to get in this year. Yesterday was a bad day for me - not thinking straight. Anyway, good luck to your son!</p>
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<p>The process is a slow one. Understand that the academy is limited to how many waivers can be granted for any incoming class. Your son’s file will be reviewed in that context. </p>
<p>I fully appreciate the angst that comes with all the fury getting those applications in, and now the endless wait. BTDT. All I can say is to stay occupied, and do what you can to live your life on your terms, and not revolved around the mail delivery. Force yourself to go to the mailbox every-other-day if that is what it takes.</p>
<p>USNA is a great place. And I bleed Blue and Gold. But it is but one route to the end goal, which is to be an officer in the United States Navy or Marine Corps. Never lose sight of that. There are lots of roads that get you to that end point, and THAT should be the goal- not USNA. If you keep that in mind, perhaps it will help to keep things in perspective.</p>
<p>All the angst in the world is not going to make things go faster, or change the outcome. Your candidate has [hopefully] done all they can do to put THEIR best effort forward. He/she will be evaluated on that effort. At this point in the process it is our of his/her, and I will add, your control. </p>
<p>This is senior year. Focus on schoolwork, enjoying life as a senior, prom, graduation. Do not let these precious days slip through your fingers because of that post box run. The world will still turn, the sun will still rise, your son/daughter will still have a good live, no matter what size envelope comes in the mail. Make sure they, and you, realize that.</p>
<p>Best of luck.</p>
<p>Navy2010 - Thank you so much for your post. I will share it with my son. Your words are encouraging no matter what the outcome may be.</p>