<p>I feel like I have a fairly decent chance of getting an afrotc scholarship at UMD (1450 SAT, 3.79 UW GPA, 4.36 W GPA, fairly physically fit), but I am worried about the DoDMERB. I had a major surgery on my large intestine 2 years ago and I’m worried that will cause me to be disqualified from passing the medical exam. If I don’t end up passing the medical exam, will I be disqualified without exception despite my other stats?</p>
<p>You need to go to [United</a> States of America Service Academy Forums - Powered by vBulletin](<a href=“http://www.serviceacademyforums.com%5DUnited”>http://www.serviceacademyforums.com)</p>
<p>There is a DoDMerb forum there. MullenLE is very very high up in the DoDMerb organization and can give you an answer.</p>
<p>Now for the short answer. Yes, if you are considered medically disqualified, no scholarship will be awarded, and it would be highly unlikely to ever be commissioned into the USAF. The Det will not be able to help you in getting you in with a med dq.</p>
<p>I know that was frightening to read, so go to the other website and post it there. The AF has a lot of medical regs, but there are alot of waivers too for certain issues.</p>
<p>For example, if you take Accutane for acne you are immediately dq, but you can ask for a waiver. Once you receive the waiver your scholarship will be processed.</p>
<p>Take every ounce of medical records with you to the DoDMerb exam, be prepared to fight for a waiver. This is just my opinion, but since they will even flag heart murmurs and asthma as a youth, I would think you will be flagged. Get ready to defend your health issues.</p>
<p>The military needs to know that if they drop you in Iraq, your previous medical issues will not become a current issue. This is even true for SFT as a rising jr. They will give you another physical, so make sure if you get the go ahead, you keep that letter. I know some parents who have had to get waivers that immediately place it in the permanent file with the doc, and keep a copy of their own. </p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>
So is this what the decision to be granted a waiver is based on? And do you know how the waiver process is works? If I can get a letter from my surgeon about his professional opinion regarding my current and continuing 100% health, will I have a likely chance of being granted a waiver (again, how does the process work? Is it decided by the members who sit on board without consideration from my surgeon?)</p>
<ol>
<li><p>The decision will be looked at from the fact if you can go AD. They can’t have a military member that can only be stationed somewhere because of a medical issue. They need to know that a past issue will not become a new issue.</p></li>
<li><p>The letter from a surgeon will help in the waiver process, BUT, that letter will be reviewed by the AF surgeons and physicians. Just because your doc says it is so doesn’t mean it is.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>For example, if a cadet wants to get PRK (laser eye surgery), they can only go to the docs the military deems qualified to perform the procedure. If you go somewhere else, you will need to still be seen by that military doc.</p>
<ol>
<li> The chances of getting granted a waiver is going to be tied to the regs that DoDMerb has set forth.</li>
</ol>
<p>If DoDMerb has waivers, such as Asthma and allergies, then a waiver is possible. If they don’t then they won’t give a waiver. OR at least that is how I have always know it to be.</p>
<ol>
<li> There are various levels regarding waivers. They may just ask to see their specialist to decide, they may take it to a board. Your surgeon may have very little consideration in the decision if it is a clear cut we grant no waivers for this condition.</li>
</ol>
<p>Bullet yrs ago got med dq for scoliosis. His parents took him to a doctor who is reknown in scoliosis because his sister was one of the first patients to ever get a rod surgically placed in her back for this condition. The doc was so well reknown, that when he took a higher level of an xray, the AF gave him the all clear. He served 20 yrs AD in an ejection seat fighter and it was never an issue again.</p>
<p>Before you start thinking you will fail the DoDMerb, realize that this surgery could be considered minor by them and you might not even need a waiver. I would say if they have removed part of your intestine, this is probably going to be a waiver issue.</p>
<p>Waivers can take anywhere from a month to months. It is a lot of paperwork that must be submitted and reviewed.</p>
<p>Again, ask MullenLE. He is the go to guy, to not only tell if this is a waiver issue, but if it is how to do it from what the DoDMerb is looking for when reviewing the record.</p>
<p>He checks in on that forum constantly, basically daily. If he feels that the question needs further info from you personally, he will ask you to pm him at work. He will want your name and social security number. People on that side consider him the savior for their kids, because he has assisted so many people thinking it was all over, when he found a way for them to keep the dream alive.</p>
<p>On a happy note, with your stats you should get a Tier 4 scholarship even if you are not going technical. Our DS got a Tier 4 and he is in govt & politics. His SAT was just a bit lower (60 pts) and his gpa was almost identical.</p>
<p>Go AF…Aim High
Go AAS!
Go Terps !</p>
<p>Well I looked through the things that the DodMERB considers an automatic failure and I got nailed by two things on the list. History of ulcerative colitis and bowel resection (the entire large intestine was removed). I am pretty sure that having the entire removal of the colon are pretty damning to my hopes, which is why I was hoping my academic prowess could help me. Speaking of that academic prowess, I hope to major in computer science, which I understand is becoming pretty high on the list of importance for the U.S. government because of cyber security. Not to mention that UMD might become a “National Center of Excellence for Cyber-Security.” But all of that appears to be irrelevant, seeing as none of that goes into the waiver process.</p>
<p>I was about to say that I looked it up and Colitis and Crohn’s are both automatic deal breakers.</p>
<p>You are correct, a bowel resection is a major deal breaker. It is highly unlikely regardless of your stats that you will make it through DoDMerb.</p>
<p>Now the flip side is with your stats, you should be at least scholars, and on the honors route. Attending UMDCP you can get great internships and if serving the country is the way you want to go, you will have a boat load of opportunities since UMDCP is so close to DC and a recruiting ground for NSA, FBI, CIA, the Hill. etc. </p>
<p>I bet if you are IS or OOS just on your stats you will be at least Scholars…want to work in groups and you will be Gemstone.</p>
<p>
That’s what I was not hoping to hear :(. ROTC is a great way to pay for college and to jump-start a career working with the IC of the federal government. Still, I want to hear it straight from the horses mouth that I will not be able to obtain a waiver before I give up entirely.</p>
<p>Never go ROTC because it is a great way to pay for college IMHO. Go because you want to serve in the military.</p>
<p>So many kids go in thinking, I will do 4 yrs and leave, when that may not be the reality. Here’s why:</p>
<ol>
<li> All AFA cadets go to schools (Intel, UPT, UNT, etc) prior to any ROTC cadets. For high demand schools such as those three, the wait could be 6mos to a yr.</li>
</ol>
<p>That time does not count to your 4 yrs. Which means, while you wait for your training school, you will not be getting paid. You will need to get a job.</p>
<p>Additionally the clock does not start ticking until you graduate from the school. If the school is a yr long, that 4 yrs will not start for another yr. SO now you could actually be at the 6 yr marker from graduation. Go to UPT and you owe 8 yrs once you are winged. For ROTC cadets, that means they are traditionally at the 10 yr marker after college graduation.</p>
<ol>
<li> Next, you graduate and get assigned somewhere stateside, for 3 yrs. You still owe them 1 more yr. You can go involuntary, but that means if they want to send you to the DMZ in Korea, you will be going to Korea for a yr. Pretty hard to job hunt from Korea, thus you decide to take a follow on, which means you owe another 3 yrs. You decide since you already owe 3 yrs, you will get the AF to pay 75% of your Masters. The problem here is it does run concurrent with the commitment you already owe, BUT now you take the last TA at 6 yrs, which means you are in until 9. Now you have to hope you are not back where you were at the 3 yr marker…in AK this time, yet again to far away from the DC area to interview. So what do you do now? Now, you are 32 yo, married with a baby, 2 car pmts and a mtg. Do you resign with no job offer on the table? Highly unlikely, you decide to do one more tour and get to your dream area by accepting a Pentagon tour. So now when that AK tour is done and the Pentagon tour is done, you have 15 yrs in. You are 5 yrs away from getting 50% pay for the rest of your life and coming up for O5. Most people at this point, even if they have wanted to leave since they were an O3 say to themselves, I have made it this long, I might as well stay for the lifetime bennies.</li>
</ol>
<p>It really is amazing how people think that it is easy just to leave when the initial commitment is over, but find out how hard it is to do because life gets in the way.</p>
<p>Good luck. I hope it works out for you, but if it doesn’t just say to yourself it was fate, and the AF was not meant to be your fate.</p>
<p>Wow, I definitely did not take that into consideration. But still if I get a waiver, this will not deter me. Do you know where I can find more information on the specialized schools that cadets go to after they graduate (specifically relating to cyber security)? </p>
<p>Thanks a lot for this information. You have provided a lot of invaluable assistance with all your help!</p>
<p>You might be interested in this article. [Navy</a> offers NROTC scholarships to cyberhackers - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times](<a href=“http://www.navytimes.com/news/2010/04/navy_cyber_scholarships_042310w/]Navy”>http://www.navytimes.com/news/2010/04/navy_cyber_scholarships_042310w/)</p>
<p>Centh gave a great link for the Navy. </p>
<p>For you specifically dealing with the medical issue, I would suggest a couple of things.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>TALK to your ALO. See if he/she knows of a cyber security program. </p></li>
<li><p>If not try contacting Maxwell. Maxwell is where the board meets, and they have AD officers who can direct you to sites regarding career fields.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>AF speak tell them that AFSC you are looking for is cyber security.</p>
<ol>
<li> I know you have a medical issue. I know you are searching for an answer if you can get in. Contact the det and ask for an appointment to see if AFROTC is a fit.</li>
</ol>
<p>BE HONEST. They may have info that nobody has been able to answer for you.</p>
<ol>
<li> With your stats, I really do think you will get some form of merit from UMDCP. The problem is you have yet to say if you are IS or OOS. That can mean a lot regarding merit. (you stated free education…B/K is the same if not better in some circumstances —type of AF scholarship)</li>
</ol>
<p>On top of that you can get great internships at UMDCP. Our DS (ROTC) interned on the Hill. Astro’s DD1 (not ROTC) interned at NASA Goddard. Both were required to do so because of UMDCP.</p>
<p>You can still obtain that dream of cyber security without the AF. My cousins husband is with the govt for Homeland Security in the Army. He just got stationed overseas. </p>
<p>The world is big, you just need to think outside of the box.</p>
<p>I have seen the Cyber Command challenge that the military offers, but I never really looked into it because I did not consider myself to be at that top-tier level of programming to qualify for it. However, I am working on honing in those skills, so maybe.</p>
<p>I just got off the phone with someone at the UMD AFROTC officer and I have an appointment scheduled, so that’s taken care of. Hopefully I will learn more regarding my medical situation. Also, I am in the process of getting my medical records emailed to Larry Mullen. Hopefully that will also provide some more in-depth insight. </p>
<p>I’m in-state, but I don’t think I have enough top-notch qualities to qualify for B/K. From what I have read about the process, they are looking for people more along the top 1% rank and stellar leadership qualities. I am rank 29/352, which equates to about top 8-9%, and I have no real stellar leadership positions to speak of (I know this will impact the ROTC decision too). </p>
<p>I know there are plenty of other options out there for a civilian lifestyle in cyber security. I have researched plenty about the NSA and other intelligence communities. I just want a chance to serve in the military; to give back something to this country.</p>
<p>You could contact the 67th Network Warfare Wing in regards to the schools:</p>
<p>[24th</a> Air Force - 67th Network Warfare Wing](<a href=“http://www.24af.af.mil/units/67nww.asp]24th”>http://www.24af.af.mil/units/67nww.asp)</p>
<p>Yeah, but he 67th is in Lackland 
:eek:</p>
<p>It is good that you got in touch with the AFROTC det. It is a great det., and the leadership will do everything they can to fight for their cadets, while they also train them to understand that this is the AF.</p>
<p>As far as school rank goes, you also need to place into the equation of the quality of the school. If your HS is ranked as number 1 in the state, not the town, not the county, but the state, being the top 8-9% is not going to be a huge issue. Admissions look at the school profile, that profile tells UMDCP how many go Ivy, 4 yr Private, Public, IS/OOS, 2 yr, trade, and no further education. If 15% go IVY than that is looked upon differently than if you are number 1 and nobody goes Ivy.</p>
<p>Now you are correct, no EC’s are going to hurt not only in the admissions process, but ROTC for scholarships. You will receive what is called a Whole Candidate Score (WCS) from the board. 60% is Prior Academic Record (PAR). This is your SAT, gpa, AP’s, class rank, etc. The other 40% will include your PFA, ECs, and recs. You can be the best academic candidate, but notice the score is called WCS, not Academic Candidate Score. They want the WHOLE package, not just the jock or the book smart cadet.</p>
<p>Have you talked to your ALO yet? ALO’s are great sources of information for many reasons, but here are the top ones.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>They are either retired officers or still AD officers. They may be able to use their own resources to also check on this from the ALO position…in other words talking to Maxwell</p></li>
<li><p>They have held many hands of many cadets that go through the waiver process. They can tell you the exact steps you will have to go through, and will be able to tag team with you on where you stand regarding your status.</p></li>
<li><p>They will be writing a rec for you for your ROTC application. You want them to know how much you want this and how hard you are fighting for it.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>You may have not been assigned an ALO yet. If you haven’t contact your hs gc. They can tell you who the person is and they will give you the contact info.</p>
<p>ALO’s are very busy right now with their AFA candidates (they handle both the AFA and AFROTC applicants). The reason why is the 1st AFA board for 15 will meeting anyday now, which they must submit their ALO rec for the candidate. Additionally, the MOC noms are traditionally due around the 15th of October, so they will be assisting in making sure their nom request has been submitted and many MOC boards have ALO’s on them. This is all on top of the fact that an ALO is a voluntary position, so they also have an 8-4 job, plus their own family.</p>
<p>I tell you that in case it takes them time to get back to you. The traditional ALO in a competitive area will have anywhere from 10-20 candidates. That is a lot of kids to watch over. MD is considered for the AFA/AFROTC competitive. The reason why is a couple of big places…mainly known as the Pentagon and Andrews. Military kids are drawn to the military many times.</p>
<p>
Well I have several EC’s, but I don’t have that great of a leadership resume. I know you mentioned Tier 4 earlier, but I couldn’t find if that was the equivalent of type 1, 2, or 7 scholarships.</p>
<p>
I did not see this in the admissions process on the AFROTC website. There were only 6 bullets on the website: Counselor Certification, Personal Statement, PTA, High School Transcripts, Resume, and SAT/ACT scores.</p>
<p>Also, is [url=<a href=“http://afrotc.com/help-center/locate-rep/?state=MD]this[/url”>http://afrotc.com/help-center/locate-rep/?state=MD]this[/url</a>] the ALO officer?</p>
<p>Tier 4 is what you are applying for, it means a 4 yr scholarship, be it 1,2,7. I can’t recall which scholarship can convert into a Tier 3, which means that they will not contract until their sophomore yr because the cost of the school doesn’t fall under the regs for that scholarship. I believe is type 7 that converts to Type 2.</p>
<p>The thing to realize about this is, you will need to probably take another DoDMerb exam, because these exams are only valid for 2 yrs. If you take it in the summer of your rising Sr yr, you may need to retake it again as a sophomore to contract. </p>
<p>You will also take DodMerb exams during your ROTC career, because prior to commissioning they will give you the exact same exam again. SO, if you make it through this one, KEEP that paperwork since they may make you go through the process again.</p>
<p>ALO = Air Force Liaison Officer. I know on service academy site, kids/parents on the ROTC forum are already talking about being interviewed by their ALO. I never heard about PTA, I am not sure why it is even there since the PTA is Parent Teacher Association. It has nothing to do with the candidate.</p>
<p>You do not submit the ALO’s rec. The ALO themself has an access code to enter into your file to submit their rec. I know 3 yrs ago, since our DS was applying to AFA and AFROTC, the ALO contacted our DS and told him he was not going to re-interview him for the ROTC aspect, but re-submit the same rec to ROTC.</p>
<p>Your link:
That is the AFROTC AD military member within your state. They are 2 different things. This is the person, if you chose not to have your ALO present the scholarship who will come to your school at the end of the yr to present the award. Your ALO is the person assigned to your school district. </p>
<p>One way to quickly find out who it is, find the students applying for AFA, they have already had their face to face with them. </p>
<p>As for ROTC, one thing that every candidate who only applies for ROTC scholarships needs to understand is ROTC is the back up plan for the Service Academies. The Scholarship board does not know if they are applying for the SA. They are just looking at their Whole Package. Our DS opted for ROTC over the AFA. He wasn’t the 1st and he won’t be the last.</p>
<p>Work on those EC’s. They really do matter. Work on that PFA! You need to MAX it because of your medical issues. That means a 7 min. mile is not your goal, you need a 6 min mile. Use the AFA CFA program over the PFA because it is harder. Maxs for them are:</p>
<p>Shuttle @8 sec.
Mile 5:30
Sit Ups 85
Push Ups 79
Pull Ups 18</p>
<p>Good luck…the fact is right now you need them to see why the surgery you had is a non-player as a future officer.</p>
<p>
So does that mean I could have my scholarship revoked midway through the 4 years if I pass it the first time around?</p>
<p>
Whoa whoa whoa! I thought it didn’t matter what any of my other stats (academic or physical) were in regard to the medical exam. I thought it was based solely on medical factors, and having no physical or academic factors taken into account. So if I can knock out the physical requirements, I would have a better chance? Also, I’m in a bit of a conundrum here. I need to gain about 5-6 pounds to be eligible for minimum weight requirements, so training for running will be difficult if I’m trying to gain weight. </p>
<p>Also, I meant PFA, not PTA. And apparently, the PFA can be given my any high school official (I thought this was weird)? It consists of 1 minute of push-ups (62 max), 1 minute of crunches (55 max), and a 1.5 mile run (9:36 max). Also, the PFT is the same as the PFA, just that it will be administered someone with ROTC. </p>
<p>
Again, I’m confused here. The [url=<a href=“http://afrotc.com/scholarships/high-school/process-description/]AFROTC[/url”>http://afrotc.com/scholarships/high-school/process-description/]AFROTC[/url</a>] website doesn’t have any mention of an interview with the ALO about a recommendation.</p>
<p>Yes, your scholarship can be revoked based on medical issues at any time. Play intra-mural football on campus and get injured, ROTC could ask for a DodMerb doc to evaluate it. Your will have to get a medical review for summer training…again DodMerb approved. You will get a DodMerb physical as a sr prior to commissioning.</p>
<p>This is not the 1st or last time DodMerb is in your life. As AD members you will rotate long and short physicals every yr. This exam would be considered LONG.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>You are correct, but if you don’t think that when the board looks over your WHOLE PACKET and sees that you have a medical issue, plus are on the low side for the PFA with low ECS, they don’t discuss this? Then I have a bridge in NYC to sell you, granted I don’t own it, but give me some time, I am sure I can clear the title.</p>
<p>It is called Whole Candidate Score for a reason. You have admitted you have a medical issue and are weak regarding ECs. You need to max that PFA. Running a 7:30 mile is not going to give you points on the PFA.</p>
<p>This is the system that exists for ROTC and SA’s. They don’t want the bookworm, they want the smartest, athletic well rounded student. They want the whole package.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Honestly, I can’t help here since our DS is a C300. All I can say is that on serviceacademyforums.com in the ROTC forum, there are candidates who interview with the ALO. 3 yrs ago when our DS applied he had no clue either that this was a part of the process, only when he was in it did he find out. FWIW, he/we were not as intense in this process. He threw his name in and called it a day. </p>
<p>That being said…did you REALLY look/review the site?
NUMBER 4:
</p>
<p>~~~ That is the ALO meeting
<p>
Well I meant more that if I passed the DoDMERB the first time around given my medical condition, would they fail me at a different time that I take the test for the same medical condition? </p>
<p>About the ALO thing: I did read that, though there was a misunderstanding. I thought that the meeting with the ALO was something that I had to seek out myself, like the PFA or the counselor forms. So I didn’t really connect the two, especially because there is no mention of the acronym ALO there. But yes, I guess I didn’t read carefully enough.</p>
<p>
So the fact that I needed a medical waiver is going to count against me? I assumed that passing the DoDMERB right away was the equivalent of getting a waiver approved in terms of the selection process. Also, that thing about the bridge went right over me. I have no idea what you were saying there.</p>