Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 9/30/2009

Question
Colonel Howell,
My son has applied to the Air Force Academy and has gotten a medical disqualification due to food allergies.  He does not take oral medications, has never used an Epi-Pen, and has never had to visit a doctor due to any allergic reactions. He had several outbreaks of hives as a young child, we had him tested for allergies and peanuts,milk,pototoes, eggs, chicken and beans came back positive. We avoided those foods, and he has done very well. We had him tested again at 17, he tested positive to peanuts, eggs, chicken and beans. He eats chicken and beans with no problems, eggs in foods (such as cake or cookies) but does not eat peanuts. We did get an Epi-pen for him because he was going on an overseas flight, and I felt it would be safer to have it, plus he would be eating food we were not accustomed to. If he is not admitted to the academy, he would like to go to college and be in the Air Force ROTC.  Is this possible in spite of these allergies? If not, he would be extremely disappointed, but we need to move past this and think of his other options.

Thank you for your time-

Answer
Kaye,
Yes, it is possible.
Peanut allergy is the most common allergy in the U.S.  However, 25% of children with a peanut allergy outgrow it.  He would have to apply to the AF Surgeon General for a waiver.

It is extremely difficult to be accepted to the Academy, and they usually do not accept candidates who require a medical waiver.  He may have a better chance at a ROTC scholarship because they routinely accept waivers.  If his grades are good enough for him to be considering the Academy, then he will probably get an ROTC scholarship.  He should contact the ROTC office at the College he's interested in and see if they'll process a waiver for him.

For those in the military with food allergies, it's quite simple to avoid eating those foods.  All food is served cafeteria style and the simply pick and choose what they wish to eat.  Gone are the old days of the military making you eat something you don't like, or as we call 'em, the "Eat or Starve" days.

If he finds a school he likes with a ROTC program, I don't think he'll have a problem.
I wish him well.
Colonel H