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The podcast that is all things regarding U.S. Service Academy admission. Whether it is West Point, the Naval Academy (Annapolis) or the Air Force Academy- admission is as much about the process as it is the attributes of the candidate. It is complex—and involves several qualifications which make it far more rigorous than the traditional college application. This podcast helps the listener understand and navigate the process in order to gain a coveted appointment.
Episodes
Wednesday Mar 04, 2026
Wednesday Mar 04, 2026
If DoDMERB says "Disqualified," it can feel like the door just slammed shut. But for many competitive Service Academy applicants, that DQ is the start of the waiver review, not the end.
In this episode, LTC (Ret.) Rob Kirkland and COL (Ret.) Dr. Arthur Cajigal (former DoDMERB staff and Army ROTC Cadet Command surgeon) break down the waiver process from start to finish: who actually grants waivers, why documentation matters, what conditions tend to be waived, and what families can control to avoid delays.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
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What DoDMERB does (and doesn't do)
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What a waiver really is, and who decides it
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Why being "considered for a waiver" is a big deal
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The questions waiver reviewers ask behind the scenes (deployment risk, recurrence, monitoring, sudden incapacitation)
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What "good medical documentation" actually looks like
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What to do (and what NOT to do) to keep your waiver timeline moving
BOOK A CONSULT:
Want a clear plan for your specific situation (records to pull, remedials, waiver strategy)? Start here:
https://www.dodmerbqualified.com/start
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