taranteeno
Active Member
So I wanted to type this up because I recently went through this and wanted to help some fellow OCS-hopefuls out as well. I am enlisted, so I can only speak to my experience, but from what I understand, it may be the same for civilians as well. Nonetheless, I had several waivers and no one really knew how to go about getting waiver requests approved or where to start (It's not in the 1420.1b like plenty other things) and while I did have several prior enlisted OCS mentors, they did not have waivers so they did not really know either. When it comes to waivers such as TIS, OAR, Age, GPA, you have to submit a waiver REQUEST to the OCM. I found a sample of the waiver request on the SWO Program Authorization and used it for all three waiver requests whether I was applying to SWO or not. Once you get those typed up, you'll need to have them ENDORSED by your CO. I caps endorsed because, while CO is typically the final approver for most things, this time he/she is not (my CO held my package for months because he didn't know how to approve my waiver although I kept explaining to his aide that he did not have to). They simply endorse it and give it back to you, in which you then send it to Paul Celestin who then sends it to the OCM for review/approval. In your justification as to why you are REQUESTING a waiver, please be honest and transparent. It is also important to note that your waiver request and package are looked at together by the OCM as they prefer to have context and if you have a strong package but might have fallen short on the GPA, the strength of the package and the context in your justification goes a long way in speaking for you. Each designator OCM has a different way they review waiver requests, some don't review them until right before the board, some review them as soon as they get them. In my experience, I submitted 3 waiver requests and had them all back and approved within a week (across multiple designators).
As for medical waivers such as anxiety, adjustment disorders, etc... the same applies in terms of typing a waiver request (see SWO PA) and having your CO endorse it. However, you will likely need input from your doc as well, but this will go on your 2808 and 2807(i dont remember which version). After you get these back, forward them to Mr Celestin who then takes them to BUMED (he said they sit right across the hall from him) and then you wait. I submitted my med waiver request around 0800 EST and had a response by 1100 EST asking for amplifying info. In the event this happens to you, get the amplifying info returned back to Mr Celestin as quickly as possible and then wait again. From initial submission to waiver approval was maybe 5 days (3 days was waiting for an appointment to get amplifying info lol) so they are really quick and efficient. Oh and you can submit MEDICAL waiver requests separate from the package just in case your package is not finished yet. Simply get the med portion finished and submit the med docs, the waiver request, and the first page of your OCS application and voila!
I hope this helps someone because I wish I would have known this before starting. In summary, when it comes to waivers like OAR, GPA, and TIS (this one kinda depends), JUST GET THE KIT SUBMITTED! The guys at CNRC are really good at what they do and have seen a thousand other requests so they are very efficient. BUMED is also very efficient, but that is a bit different depending on your medical condition. Oh and once you get to the board, the members will simply see your Memo for Approved waiver and will press forward with racking and stacking you. If you guys have any more questions about waivers, feel free to drop them below and I'll help if I can.
As for medical waivers such as anxiety, adjustment disorders, etc... the same applies in terms of typing a waiver request (see SWO PA) and having your CO endorse it. However, you will likely need input from your doc as well, but this will go on your 2808 and 2807(i dont remember which version). After you get these back, forward them to Mr Celestin who then takes them to BUMED (he said they sit right across the hall from him) and then you wait. I submitted my med waiver request around 0800 EST and had a response by 1100 EST asking for amplifying info. In the event this happens to you, get the amplifying info returned back to Mr Celestin as quickly as possible and then wait again. From initial submission to waiver approval was maybe 5 days (3 days was waiting for an appointment to get amplifying info lol) so they are really quick and efficient. Oh and you can submit MEDICAL waiver requests separate from the package just in case your package is not finished yet. Simply get the med portion finished and submit the med docs, the waiver request, and the first page of your OCS application and voila!
I hope this helps someone because I wish I would have known this before starting. In summary, when it comes to waivers like OAR, GPA, and TIS (this one kinda depends), JUST GET THE KIT SUBMITTED! The guys at CNRC are really good at what they do and have seen a thousand other requests so they are very efficient. BUMED is also very efficient, but that is a bit different depending on your medical condition. Oh and once you get to the board, the members will simply see your Memo for Approved waiver and will press forward with racking and stacking you. If you guys have any more questions about waivers, feel free to drop them below and I'll help if I can.
