Navigating the DODMERB Process: What You Need to Know

At Academy Endeavors, we’re dedicated to giving you the truth in Academy admissions. And the truth is, for some applicants, DODMERB is the biggest headache and biggest unknown. Why is that? Because it catches them by surprise. So we wrote this blog post so you could start from the beginning and not be surprised anymore. Know the 113 questions that they will ask you. Know the process from start to finish: how it starts, what the biggest curveballs are, and how it finishes (even though it seems like it might never finish).

Context before filling out a survey:

1. All questions refer to your medical history since birth. Most miss this. It’s not a current medical questionnaire; it’s a medical history questionnaire.
2. If you answer yes to any of the questions, it’s a possibility that it could lead to a disqualification.
3. If you are disqualified, it’s not over yet. There’s a possibility that you could be invited into a process to get a medical waiver.

AE NOTE: The official DD Form 2807-2 states the below warning. For those that lie, medical issues may be labeled as EPTS “Existed Prior To Service” and could be guilty of “fraudulent enlistment.” “Disclosure is voluntary, however, failure by an applicant to provide the information may result in delay or possible rejection of the individual’s application to enter the Armed Forces. For an Armed Forces member, failure to provide the information may result in the individual being placed in a non-deployable status.

OFFICIAL DOD WARNING: The information you have given constitutes an official statement. Federal law provides severe penalties (up to 5 years confinement or $10,000 fine, or both), to anyone making a false statement. If you are selected for enlistment, commission or entrance into a commissioning program based on a false statement, you may be subject to prosecution under the Uniform Code of Military Justice or to administrative separation proceedings for discharge, and could receive a less than honorable discharge.”

Do you currently have, or have any history of the following:

MEDICATIONS

#	YES	NO	QUESTION
1			Any prescription or over the counter medication(s) taken regularly or as needed (list each and explain)?

ALLERGIES

#	YES	NO	QUESTION
2			Reaction to food(s), insect bites/stings, medication(s) or other substances (list each and explain)

EYES/VISION

#	YES	NO	QUESTION
3			Double Vision
4			Detached retina or surgery to repair a detached retina
5			Keratoconus, glaucoma, cataracts or surgery for cataracts
6			Vision correction procedure such as Lasik, PRK, or lens implant
7			Night blindness
8			Any other eye condition, injury, or surgery/procedure

EARS/HEARING

#	YES	NO	QUESTION
9			Cholesteatoma
10			Ear drum perforation or tubes inserted into the ear drum(s) in the past 12 months
11			Any other ear surgery or procedure including mastoidectomy
12			Loss of balance or vertigo
13			Hearing loss or use of hearing aid(s)

NOSE, SINUSES, MOUTH, AND LARYNX

#	YES	NO	QUESTION
14			Ear, nose, or throat conditions such as vocal cord dysfunction
15			Recurrent nose bleeds, chronic sinus infections, or sinus surgery
16			Absence of, or disturbance of sense of smell
17			Any surgery of the face, throat, or jaw

DENTAL (If you wear braces/aligners, then you must submit a letter from your orthodontist stating that active orthodontic treatment will be completed before beginning active duty)

#	YES	NO	QUESTION
18			Braces or aligners
19			Any tooth or gum problems

LUNGS, CHEST WALL, PLEURA, and MEDIASTINUM

#	YES	NO	QUESTION
20			Asthma, asthmatic bronchitis, wheezing, shortness of breath, or other breathing problems worsened by exercise, weather, pollens, etc.
21			Prescription for an inhaler, steroids, or any other medication for breathing problem
22			Pneumonia
23			Chronic cough or frequent coughing at night
24			Collapsed lung or other lung condition(s)
25			History of chest, chest wall, or breast surgery

HEART

#	YES	NO	QUESTION
26			Heart murmur or valve problem(s)
27			Palpitations, skipped/abnormal heartbeats, or pounding heart
28			Chest pain/pressure or an abnormal electrocardiogram (EKG)
29			Heart surgery
30			Any other heart condition

ABDOMEN AND GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM

#	YES	NO	QUESTION
31			Problems of the stomach, esophagus, or intestine such as ulcer(s)
32			Frequent indigestion/heartburn, difficulty swallowing, or eosinophilic esophagitis
33			Gallbladder disease or gallstones
34			Hepatitis or jaundice (except neonatal jaundice)
35			Hernia
36			Any abdominal surgery/endoscopy such as appendectomy, bowel resection, hernia repair, or colonoscopy
37			Weight loss surgery such as gastric bypass or lap banding
38			Chronic or recurrent intestinal disease such as irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, or celiac disease
39			Anorectal disease, blood from the rectum, or hemorrhoids

FEMALES ONLY

#	YES	NO	QUESTION
40	N/A	N/A	First day of the last menstrual period (YYYMMDD)
41			A change in menstrual pattern (other than pregnancy)
42			Pregnancy
43			Any abnormal PAP test
44			Endometriosis, uterine fibroid, or ovarian cyst
45			Any other gynecological disorder that required evaluation, treatment, or surgery

MALES ONLY

#	YES	NO	QUESTION
46			Undescended/absent testicle(s), or testicular implant
47			Any scrotal mass, swelling, or pain
48			Prostate problems

URINARY SYSTEM

#	YES	NO	QUESTION
49			Absence of, or a congenital abnormality of a kidney such as horseshoe kidney
50			Blood or protein in urine
51			Painful or difficult urination
52			Kidney stone
53			Kidney or urinary tract disease, surgery, or infection
54			Bedwetting or treatment for bedwetting in the past 12 months

SPINE AND SACROILIAC JOINTS

#	YES	NO	QUESTION
55			Back or neck pain, or herniated disc
56			Abnormal curvature of any part of the spine
57			Vertebral fracture or stress injury of the spine such as spondylolysis
58			Back or neck surgery

UPPER EXTREMITIES

#	YES	NO	QUESTION
59			Any pain, swelling, weakness, numbness, or stiffness of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, or fingers
60			Dislocated shoulder, elbow, or wrist

LOWER EXTREMITIES

#	YES	NO	QUESTION
61			Foot conditions such as plantar fasciitis, heel spur, or painful bunions
62			Knee injury resulting in ligament/cartilage tear, instability, or locking
63			Any pain, swelling, weakness, numbness, or stiffness of the hip, knee, ankle, foot, or toes
64			Dislocated hip, knee, ankle, or foot

MISCELLANEOUS CONDITIONS OF THE EXTREMITIES

#	YES	NO	QUESTION
65			Bone, muscle, or joint deformity, injury, or persistent pain/swelling
66			Impaired use of arms, hands, fingers, legs, feet, or toes (any reason)
67			Joint swelling/inflammation such as arthritis, gout, or bursitis
68			Compartment syndrome, shin splints, or stress reaction/fracture
69			Compartment syndrome, shin splints, oAny surgery of the bone or joint such as placing a screw, plate, rod, pin, prosthetic/graft or arthroscopy
70			Any use of prescribed corrective/prosthetic devices such as a brace, back support, heel lift, or other orthotic inserts

VASCULAR

#	YES	NO	QUESTION
71			Abnormal (high or low) blood pressure
72			Pale, blue, or numb fingers or toes with exposure to cold such as Raynaud’s phenomenon/disease
73			Kawasaki disease

SKIN

#	YES	NO	QUESTION
74			Acne that required prescription medication(s)
75			Skin rash such as atopic dermatitis, eczema, or psoriasis
76			Any other skin condition such as recurrent hives, abscesses (hidradenitis), pilonidal cyst, or cancer (melanoma)

BLOOD AND BLOOD FORMING SYSTEM

#	YES	NO	QUESTION
77			Anemia such as iron deficiency, sickle cell, or thalassemia
78			Skin rash such as atopic dermatitis, Blood clot(s), a clotting disorder, or history of taking a blood thinner
79			Absence or removal of the spleen
80			Prolonged bleeding such as after an injury or dental procedure
81			Any other blood or circulation condition

SYSTEMIC

#	YES	NO	QUESTION
82			Severe allergic reaction to any substance requiring emergency care
83			Tested positive for tuberculosis (skin or blood test), or lived with someone who had it
84			Immune system condition such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, or AIDS
85			Sexually transmitted disease such as herpes, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, or HIV
86			Rhabdomyolysis

ENDOCRINE AND METABOLIC

#	YES	NO	QUESTION
87			Thyroid conditions such as goiter or hypo/hyperthyroidism
88			Diabetes or hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
89			Any other endocrine (hormone) condition such as growth hormone deficiency, adrenal insufficiency, or hypo/hyperparathyroidism

NEUROLOGIC

#	YES	NO	QUESTION
90			Stroke, aneurysm, or bleeding in or around the brain
91			Frequent or severe headaches such as migraines, cluster, or tension
92			A head injury, concussion, or skull fracture
93			Infection of the brain or spinal cord such as abscess, meningitis, or encephalitis
94			Seizures, epilepsy, or convulsions
95			Syncope or fainting spells
96			Any other neurologic condition such as paralysis, myasthenia gravis, Tourette’s, or memory loss

SLEEP

#	YES	NO	QUESTION
97			Sleep apnea
98			Sleepwalking, narcolepsy, or difficulty with sleep such as falling/staying asleep

LEARNING, PSYCHIATRIC, AND BEHAVIORAL

#	YES	NO	QUESTION
99			Attention Deficit or Hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD), dyslexia, autism spectrum, or other learning disorder
100			Frequent or severe headaches such as migraines, cluster, or tensioA behavioral/mental health condition such as anxiety/panic attacks, depression, adjustment disorder, PTSD, personality disorder, addiction, or drug/substance abuse including alcohol
101			Evaluation or treatment either with medication or counseling for any behavioral/mental health condition
102			Eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia
103			Self-inflicted injury such as cutting or burning
104			Suicidal thoughts, gesture, or attempt
105			Admission to a hospital for any behavioral/mental health condition

TUMORS AND MALIGNANCIES

#	YES	NO	QUESTION
106			Any cancer, malignancy, tumor, or cyst

MISCELLANEOUS

#	YES	NO	QUESTION
107			Cold/heat intolerance or injury such as frostbite or heatstroke

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS

#	YES	NO	QUESTION
108			Prosthetic body part or joint
109			Any medical treatment/surgery from a Hospital, Emergency Room, Surgical Center or Urgent Care
110			Previous medical disqualification for Military Service
111			Discharge from military Service for any reason (provide reason, date, and type of discharge)
112			Disability award or compensation for an injury or other medical condition

113 SECTION IV: APPLICANT COMMENTS

Explain all “YES” answers to questions above.  Write the item number and provide details to include the following: description of the problem/condition, date of onset of the problem/condition, date of treatment, name of health care provider, clinic, center, hospital along with City and State.  Comment on the current status of the problem/condition.  Attach additional sheet(s) if necessary, and sign and date each additional sheet.  Attach copies of all applicable medical records.

Disclaimer: For illustrative purposes only. Applicants are under no obligation to disclose medical history or sensitive information to Academy Endeavors. This exercise is for illustrative purposes only as a template of the DODMERB official forms (DD Form 2807-2 and DD Form 2808). This is intended solely to reflect possible questions on the DODMERB survey on DODMETS.com, and is not intended to diagnose or speak on behalf of any physician or government entity.

Watch this complete walkthrough of the DMACS 2.0 Portal to learn how to navigate the system and track your medical status.

You may download the Sample DODMERB Questionnaire designed to identify disqualifying conditions HERE.

Follow the link below to schedule a free 1-on-1 consultation with our CEO!