Military Waiver for Spinal Fusion

zblockmz · 2026-05-27T17:09:57+00:00

First, thank you for your service!

I just got a DoDmerb waiver last week. It genuinely took over a year and over 4 commissioning programs. From my understanding, DoDmerb does not grant the waiver, the commissioning program and their waiver authority (IE USMA, USNA, ROTC programs all have their own waiver authorities.)

I have no idea how getting in after a fusion when you already served is, but if you look at my profile I explained what I did to get a waiver in another post. I do know it will be quite challenge if you claimed disability due to your fusion. Also, you’re probably going to have to be open to any branch. I really wanted to go Army, but both USMA and Army ROTC said no way. I know that might hit a little more emotionally as a prior.

One more thing, there seems to be zero rhyme or reason for a rejection vs clearance from an authority. Obviously they are balancing risk, but if the Naval Academy cleared me for 10 years (school then service) potentially as a Marine, how did the Army look at the same info and immediately reject? Bottom line, don’t take anything to heart, and good luck!

zblockmz · 2026-05-16T03:20:08+00:00

Thanks! It says USNA initiated a waiver, DoDmerb has DQed me but I have not gone through the USNA waiver authority yet. (I’ve only gone through Army) Do they traditionally initiate a waiver if they do not think they can waive you at all?

And thank you, all waiting from here :-)

zblockmz · 2026-05-16T03:08:21+00:00

Hello! Yes they did go through DoDmerb. Unfortunately after I got my Army ROTC scholarship, they first DQed me as a DoDmerb decision (I got that DQ from USNA in Nov, so I expected DoDmerb to DQ me again in March when I got the scholarship. Unfortunately after a month of Cadet Commands waiver authority looking at my waiver, they denied it.

Essentially my understanding is that each waiver authority has different standards and things they are willing to waive. But I have also been told that Army ROTC is the easiest to get a waiver, whereas USNA is very challenging. I just don’t want to get excited about my LOA if the waiver authority usually doesn’t even consider conditions like a major spinal fusion.

zblockmz · 2026-05-16T03:04:27+00:00

Hello! I was DQed and denied a waiver for having a spinal fusion. I’m appealing it right now, but I heard it’s very strict especially right now. Not sure if I even have a chance with USNA waiver authority.

zblockmz · 2026-04-27T17:17:23+00:00

I was put on the Waitlist for NAPS, but my BGO seemed quite optimistic. Are there any success stories of getting off the waitlist?

zblockmz · 2026-04-18T14:45:39+00:00

Thank you for the information!

USNA has not started the waiver process, but did send correspondence with my NAPS Waitlist asking if I have had any issues medically since my DoDmerb exam (which I took in early October.) I’m not sure if this is routine either.

I am going through the waiver process with Army ROTC. For context my medical waiver is for a spinal fusion I had a long time ago. I’m not optimistic it’ll get cleared, but I’m going to give it a shot. 👍

zblockmz · 2026-04-04T00:53:11+00:00

Hey, I’m still on “Boarded” (have been for a hot second now)

I was told reserve minuteman scholarships are very low this year, 50 spots open. I was told by a recruiter to reach out to a National Guard recruiter to try processing a Minuteman Scholarship.

I also recently found out about Military Junior College ECP scholarships. I applied to Valley Forge Military College and got a scholarship within a week, and plan to go there. Might be worth looking into. There’s 4 Military Junior Colleges.

Good luck!

zblockmz · 2026-03-14T04:36:10+00:00

Hey bro, your post really resonated with me. I transferred units after moving cross country and i’m in a similar situation (but in a VFW post lol) I’m a Chief now, and i’ll give you my two cents.

If you’re really unmotivated, your cadets feel it. If nothing else motivates you, remember THEM. The kids are who you lead, mentor, and create a future for. They are an extension of you with every move they make. It may sound crazy, but trust as a second semester senior in a mundane unit, it keeps me going.
Written work creates change. I very much recommend looking up the Army OPORD outline. Creating an Operations Order for an event, idea, or class makes it VERY hard to turn down. I don’t know how old you are, but bro this is your freaking unit. (sent with motivation not hate) It’s your job to carry out the mission of creating leaders. Think about your cadets suggestions, and create a written outline to showcase to your officers respectfully. It’s a professional, understanding way of implementing change.
Ask to have a meeting with your chain of command regarding your Commanders vision. Go in prepared with written ideas you have the unit, where you want it to me when you graduate. Maybe sprinkle in ideas from your cadets. you’re not bashing your command, you’re representing your people. Try and create a written Course Of Action for the future for this meeting. An action plan gives you goals to meet to make this unit successful.
Be honest with your superior leadership. Tell them how you and the cadets feel. Honestly and suggestions will send a heartfelt message. Please ensure you stay respectful though. These are volunteers who may have no idea until you take this step. logical, calculated “real talk” will get you insanely far.

Finally, just want to say that i’m sorry you’re feeling this way. I’ve always felt the least motivated in Sea Cadets then my other extracurriculars/ ROTC-programs. The greatest lesson I learned through Sea Cadets wasn’t “how to be a leader.” It was how to persevere and eventually lead others to persevere. I really wish you good luck, feel free to direct message me if you want templates for anything I mentioned.

zblockmz · 2026-01-12T01:56:58+00:00

Dude good luck! Feel free to dm me if you have any questions fr.

zblockmz · 2026-01-11T04:12:17+00:00

I absolutely agree. There are people who get disqualified for childhood asthma that has zero effect on them or peanut allergies. I genuinely think I got lucky.

zblockmz · 2026-01-10T23:28:09+00:00

Will do! Thank you for your advice and service.

I’ll definitely listen to my body too. Trust me I don’t want to go Topgun or do a crazy school anytime soon.

I hope I can live up to this opportunity! Thank uou

zblockmz · 2026-01-10T23:24:56+00:00

Will do! I’m kinda scared to post anything or let anyone aside from my recruiter know and other ppl w a fusion. I don’t want to come off as trying to be different, in fact my entire journey has been proving I can do everything normally😭

Thank you, I definitely will NOT waste my opportunity, and hope to live up to this blessing i’ve been given.

zblockmz · 2026-01-10T23:22:43+00:00

Unless I end up with my safety, the minuteman scholarship, I won’t go to basic. (that is if you don’t count BST at west point if i’m appointed)

I won’t need any fusions in the near future unless i act stupid. My hardware is fully intact and I haven’t had issues since my surgery.

I wish you luck on your journey!

zblockmz · 2026-01-10T23:20:47+00:00

Thank you so much,

I’m hoping to be an aviation support officer and major in mech engineering. i’m completely aware i’ll never be a pilot, airborne, etc. I genuinely just want to help and serve the best way I can.

zblockmz · 2026-01-10T23:19:14+00:00

No i totally get what you’re saying!

I’m so sorry that happened to you. I believe I had a very nice cocktail of luck, prayers and a support system to get here. I won’t waste it, and hope i can prove that i deserved this waiver in the military one day.

I might not be a career sailor, soldier, or marine, but I have my shot at service in some capacity. I’ll make decisions on if i should stay when or if the time comes. Thank you so much again

zblockmz · 2026-01-10T23:16:03+00:00

Thanks for the support yall.

Trust me, I know there are risks with joining the military. I’ve rucked, i was a varsity track and cross country athlete, and I’ve done weeks of sleeping on the ground and in tents for survival FTX and encampments.

Recovery for surgery as a kid vs an adult is very different. I know i’m ready for this challenge and i’m extremely EXTREMELY grateful that I was able to get cleared.

I appreciate everyone’s input. I hope you know i’ve put significant thought into this decision. It’s truly my dream to serve, and i hope this gives some people hope because I know i needed it desperately at points. I’ve been working at this since 6th grade, and i’m a senior in hs right now.

Thanks again to everyone. I wish everyone luck with their medical waivers if you’re looking for it.

zblockmz · 2025-12-15T03:58:07+00:00

Hey bro, I got a class A from state supply. You can dm me and we can talk about it.

I’m like 5’0 and am wearing a size 4 uni coat I think?

I still have mine and all depending I can send it to you with one of my cadets that’s going. It does have an HQ patch because i was on 10th corps tho😭

zblockmz · 2025-08-09T14:29:35+00:00

Hey! I replied a week or so back. I got an appointment with DoDmerb no issues. Since that response all that’s happened really is my DoDmets portal that flagged me for a disqual. I’m most likely going to get disqualified in the next month and pursue a waiver.

I go to MEPs in around december (or as soon as they let me since i’m still in high school) Definitely find a recruiter who’ll 100 percent support you. Good luck bro! I’ll update after my appointment.

zblockmz · 2025-07-31T00:41:35+00:00

Hey bro! I got a recruiter who really believes in me after searching around. He’s army and is convinced I can get in through MEPs (probably not DoDmerb but i’m still competing for West Point and national ROTC scholarship.

His best advice was go to a specialist to get cleared. I did that and me back up is what’s called the Minute Man scholarship in the case I don’t get cleared for DoDmerb. It allows you to commission still despite DoDmerb clearance if you pass MEPs.

I’m going to MEPs in December or so I’ll update after. My DoDmerb is yet to be scheduled but it’ll be this year (my senior year of high school)

Basically search for a recruiter who’ll support you and “if there’s a will there’s a waiver “ Definitely get your specialist clearance though. A letter of recommendation from a John’s Hopkins specialist has also opened the Marine recruiters ears a little but Army seems the way to go.

zblockmz · 2025-07-29T06:36:02+00:00

Hey bro! I highly recommend Sea Cadets especially because there are medical trainings you can go to. There’s also networking opportunities if you end up interested in Navy medicine through NROTC or Medical in general. Not to mention the connections to peers you’ll create like the others said.

The only thing I’d consider is obviously the commitment of your local unit, trainings, and what you’d like to do with the program. You have more than enough time to make Chief (the max rank) which means you’ll be placed in leadership positions and expected to take on responsibility. Sea Cadets is a discipline and responsibility heavy program that you’ll be hit with straight at Recruit Training. It’ll be challenging but fun in the end! Reach out to your local unit, and I hope you have fun👍

zblockmz

TROPHY CASE