Expert: James Bell - 8/7/2006

Question

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Followup To

Question -
My son is an exemplary student in the 12th grade.  This year he is Corp Commander of his AFJROTC unit.  His grades are nearly all A's.  He has attended the Air Force Summer Seminar program and has hopes to be accpeted in the fall.  The problem is that he was born with no testicles.  Currently, he is using a gel that is applied once a day.  He received a disqualification fron DOD.  We are going to apply for waiver.  What do you think his chances of getting into the AF Academy are?  Thanks for any help.

Answer -
Greetings Ann -

I will have to admit, I have never had a question like this.  I won't ask what the gel is for, but I did an extensive search of every Air Force regulation that can possibly cover medical entrance requirements, including Air Force Joint Instruction (AFJI) 36-2018, Medical Examination of Applicants for United States Service Academies, Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) Scholarship Programs.  There is no mention of a testicular exam being required, much less a reason for being declined acceptance into any academy.

I would have to ask why a waiver is needed?  What was his disqualification from the DoD based upon?  Is the gel required for other problems that might be addressed on a physical exam?  The disqualification letter would have to state a source for the disqualification, in particular a regulation or instruction (AFI or AFR).

They would need to quote chapter and verse.  It would look something like ...

"IAW (in accordance with) AFI 36-2104, page 32, 13.4.3.2, the applicant is disqualified because ... "

If you can get me that information, then I could research the regulation, find out what specifically was disqualifying him, and then determine a course of action for which to apply for a waiver.  Without knowing the reason for the disqualification, it would be difficult for me to speculate on his chances of getting a waiver approved.

Another question to ask is, if he is not qualified for the Air Force Academy, what about ROTC through a university?  I know the standards for the Academy are the toughest, and sometimes their decisions seem arbitrary.

Let me know so I can help you find an answer.

Sincerely,
James Bell

Mr. Bell
Thank you for responding to my question.  I wasn't very clear on some stuff.  My son received a medical disqualification that stated the reason for "missing one or both testicles".  It's an extremely rare thing, and he is taking androgel, which provides him with the testosterone he needs.  The form said he could fill out the waiver and the Command Surgeon would look further into his case.  His problem does not keep him from doing anything, and all he has to do is apply the gel once a day for testosterone replacement.

Answer
Greetings again, Ann -

Unless the medical folks know something about additional problems that may be associated with his condition, I can't see any reason why it makes a difference.  Yes, it is differnt, but I don't seem to see what the big deal is.

With all the sexual harassment training I've been to over the years, it seems as though the military is trying to remove everyone's sex anyway.

The only thing I can think of is the consequences for not taking his medication.  I know they don't allow diabetics to be deployed into a combat zone simply because of the difficulty of keeping insulin.  If a diabetic were to be captured or isolated on the battlefield, they would become incapacitated and a liability instead of an asset.  What happens if he does not take his medication?

Since I have never heard of this condition before, I can't give you any other advice on how to proceed.  I would forward your request for a waiver to the Command Surgeon.  Just make sure, if he is denied again, that the reason is based on medical fact and reasoning and not because of its oddity.

Good luck and let me know how things turn out, I would be interested to know.  You can write me directly at KC10Engr@aol.com if you would like to ask more questions, and bypass AllExperts.

Sincerely,
James Bell