Waiver Questions for Hip Dysplasia, Asthma, and Mental Health

[smadeline125]

Hi, I’m a high school senior looking to graduate this year and continue education through a California Community College for two years before transferring to a four year university with an NROTC. I’ve always had a desire to join Naval Aviation but Im afraid that past health issues may interfere with my acceptance for the two year Naval scholarship and Naval aviation all together.

1. My most recent diagnosis has been hip dysplasia; a chronic hip issue that could only be fixed at birth. This issue can cause chronic pain or mobility issues, but I never had any issues with these symptoms until I fractured my pelvic bone. I did physical therapy for my fracture and as an aid to the pain that occurred in my hip after my fracture. It’s been a year now and I’m practically healed; no more random pain, but I’m still working on getting used to impact activities like running. (I was a distance runner since I was 10 and have never had pain in my hip before). Now, I can run about two miles without any pain and I have no history of dislocations—if I continue this for two more years, am I likely for a waiver into aviation?
2. When I was 5 I was diagnosed with asthma; I own an inhaler but I have never had a need to use it and my doctor is aware of this. I’ve never been hospitalized or given further medication for asthma, I only used an inhaler when I got sick as a kid.
3. When I was 11 I was hospitalized for suicide attempts and diagnosed with depression and anxiety. I was in inpatient care for 10 days then transferred to an outpatient care for six months. I took medication for this for a bit over a year and did therapy for three years prior my outpatient care. Currently, I don’t take any medication or have a therapist and haven’t for five years.

conclusion: I’m sure I may be eligible to receive a waiver for these, probably even if I wait for a year or two before doing the process, but I mainly wanted to know what the process looks like for receiving a waiver for all three of these issues. Also, I was wondering if I would remain eligible for Naval aviation and a two year scholarship even after having three separate waivers. Thanks for the help!

 

[FormerRecruitingGuru]

Hi, I’m a high school senior looking to graduate this year and continue education through a California Community College for two years before transferring to a four year university with an NROTC. I’ve always had a desire to join Naval Aviation but Im afraid that past health issues may interfere with my acceptance for the two year Naval scholarship and Naval aviation all together.

1. My most recent diagnosis has been hip dysplasia; a chronic hip issue that could only be fixed at birth. This issue can cause chronic pain or mobility issues, but I never had any issues with these symptoms until I fractured my pelvic bone. I did physical therapy for my fracture and as an aid to the pain that occurred in my hip after my fracture. It’s been a year now and I’m practically healed; no more random pain, but I’m still working on getting used to impact activities like running. (I was a distance runner since I was 10 and have never had pain in my hip before). Now, I can run about two miles without any pain and I have no history of dislocations—if I continue this for two more years, am I likely for a waiver into aviation?
2. When I was 5 I was diagnosed with asthma; I own an inhaler but I have never had a need to use it and my doctor is aware of this. I’ve never been hospitalized or given further medication for asthma, I only used an inhaler when I got sick as a kid.
3. When I was 11 I was hospitalized for suicide attempts and diagnosed with depression and anxiety. I was in inpatient care for 10 days then transferred to an outpatient care for six months. I took medication for this for a bit over a year and did therapy for three years prior my outpatient care. Currently, I don’t take any medication or have a therapist and haven’t for five years.

conclusion: I’m sure I may be eligible to receive a waiver for these, probably even if I wait for a year or two before doing the process, but I mainly wanted to know what the process looks like for receiving a waiver for all three of these issues. Also, I was wondering if I would remain eligible for Naval aviation and a two year scholarship even after having three separate waivers. Thanks for the help!

DOD: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/...613003_vol01.pdf?ver=B0uhh9e1k_MDTz4PuNU8Aw==

Under disqualifying conditions:

(11) History of developmental dysplasia (congenital dislocation) of the hip, osteochondritis of the hip (Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease), or slipped capital femoral epiphysis of the hip.

#1 is almost certainly a no-go. #2 very likely a no-go but you will take a PFT anyway, but currently having an inhaler is not a good sign.
#3 case by case decision

In short, very very unlikely.

 

[Sponge]

End of the day, just give it a go and see what happens. The worst they can say is no, but at least you tried. Don't quit until someone tells you to. I've seen kids get wings who should have been NAMI Whammied, and others get the boot for similar situations. I'd say take a look at the disqualifying conditions the Navy emphasizes and gauge it from there.