National Academies Press: OpenBook

Assessing Fitness for Military Enlistment: Physical, Medical, and Mental Health Standards (2006)

Chapter: Appendix B Analysis of Waivers for Disqualifying Conditions

« Previous: Appendix A Medical Standards for Appointment, Enlistment, or Induction in the Armed Forces
Suggested Citation:"Appendix B Analysis of Waivers for Disqualifying Conditions." National Research Council. 2006. Assessing Fitness for Military Enlistment: Physical, Medical, and Mental Health Standards. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11511.
×

Appendix B
Analysis of Waivers for Disqualifying Conditions

Suggested Citation:"Appendix B Analysis of Waivers for Disqualifying Conditions." National Research Council. 2006. Assessing Fitness for Military Enlistment: Physical, Medical, and Mental Health Standards. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11511.
×

TABLE B-1 Active Accessions and Cumulative Attrition Rates by Waiver Type, All Services

 

FY 2000

 

Accessions

12 Months

24 Months

36 Months

No waiver

Women

29,386

20

28

34

Men

119,282

14

21

26

Total

148,668

15

22

27

Drugs

Women

180

31

42

48

Men

2,168

17

27

34

Total

2,348

18

28

35

Weight

Women

420

20

27

31

Men

3,081

17

22

27

Total

3,501

17

23

27

Disease

Women

1,079

25

31

38

Men

4,651

16

22

27

Total

5,730

18

24

29

Dependents

Women

477

25

33

40

Men

1,312

17

24

28

Total

1,789

19

26

31

Mental

Women

295

15

23

29

Men

1,202

16

22

27

Total

1,497

16

22

28

Law violations

Women

878

19

28

34

Men

8,289

17

26

32

Total

9,167

17

26

32

Other

Women

595

22

30

36

Men

3,777

22

31

37

Total

4,372

22

31

37

All accessions

Women

33,619

20

28

34

Men

145,214

15

22

27

Total

178,833

16

23

28

Suggested Citation:"Appendix B Analysis of Waivers for Disqualifying Conditions." National Research Council. 2006. Assessing Fitness for Military Enlistment: Physical, Medical, and Mental Health Standards. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11511.
×

FY 2001

Accessions

12 Months

24 Months

36 Months

29,940

19

27

34

125,831

13

20

25

155,771

14

22

27

253

27

38

46

2,604

16

30

37

2,857

17

31

38

315

20

28

32

2,619

16

21

25

2,934

17

22

26

1,034

21

32

39

4,331

14

21

26

5,365

16

23

28

501

22

31

36

1,188

14

19

23

1,689

16

23

27

271

15

24

28

1,182

14

20

25

1,453

14

21

25

831

18

27

33

8,481

14

23

29

9,312

14

24

30

273

20

27

34

2,168

20

30

37

2,441

20

30

37

33,653

19

28

 

149,323

14

21

26

182,976

15

22

27

Suggested Citation:"Appendix B Analysis of Waivers for Disqualifying Conditions." National Research Council. 2006. Assessing Fitness for Military Enlistment: Physical, Medical, and Mental Health Standards. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11511.
×

 

FY 2002

 

Accessions

12 Months

24 Months

No waiver

Women

28,115

18

26

Men

127,167

13

19

Total

155,282

14

20

Drugs

Women

210

29

43

Men

2,364

17

28

Total

2,574

18

29

Weight

Women

214

20

24

Men

2,445

17

21

Total

2,659

18

21

Disease

Women

885

22

32

Men

3,924

15

21

Total

4,809

16

23

Dependents

Women

308

18

27

Men

1,062

14

17

Total

1,370

15

21

Mental

Women

246

23

33

Men

773

13

18

Total

1,019

15

22

Law violations

Women

893

18

26

Men

9,832

13

21

Total

10,725

14

22

Other

Women

330

23

26

Men

1,788

17

27

Total

2,118

18

0

All accessions

Women

31,354

19

27

Men

150,156

13

19

Total

181,510

14

21

Suggested Citation:"Appendix B Analysis of Waivers for Disqualifying Conditions." National Research Council. 2006. Assessing Fitness for Military Enlistment: Physical, Medical, and Mental Health Standards. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11511.
×

FY 2003

Accessions

12 Months

27,678

20

125,006

12

152,684

14

140

31

1,817

16

1,957

17

211

18

2,056

13

2,267

14

1,007

22

4,734

15

5,741

16

251

18

923

11

1,174

12

177

27

281

17

458

21

850

18

8,580

14

9,430

14

251

25

1,827

16

2,078

17

30,676

20

145,732

13

176,408

14

Suggested Citation:"Appendix B Analysis of Waivers for Disqualifying Conditions." National Research Council. 2006. Assessing Fitness for Military Enlistment: Physical, Medical, and Mental Health Standards. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11511.
×

TABLE B-2 Accessions and Cumulative Attrition Rates by Waiver Type, FY 2000 and FY 2001 Combined

 

Air Force

 

Accessions

12 Months

24 Months

36 Months

No waiver

Women

14,633

11

17

21

Men

42,005

10

14

17

Total

56,638

10

14

18

Drugs

Women

4

a

a

a

Men

39

15

23

26

Total

43

16

26

28

Weight

Women

140

9

15

18

Men

215

14

17

20

Total

355

12

16

19

Disease

Women

471

18

22

27

Men

1,367

10

13

17

Total

1,838

12

15

19

Dependents

Women

291

15

22

27

Men

537

9

12

14

Total

828

11

15

19

Mental

Women

421

14

20

26

Men

1,710

14

20

25

Total

2,131

14

20

25

Law violations

Women

593

14

19

25

Men

3,765

11

17

21

Total

4,358

11

17

21

Other

Women

37

19

24

35

Men

88

14

16

18

Total

125

15

18

23

All accessions

Women

16,714

12

17

22

Men

50,000

10

14

18

Total

66,714

10

15

19

Suggested Citation:"Appendix B Analysis of Waivers for Disqualifying Conditions." National Research Council. 2006. Assessing Fitness for Military Enlistment: Physical, Medical, and Mental Health Standards. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11511.
×

Army

Accessions

12 Months

24 Months

36 Months

25,636

24

36

44

93,959

14

22

28

119,595

16

25

32

210

30

45

55

1,917

13

31

42

2,127

14

32

43

80

30

38

44

256

17

24

31

336

20

27

34

1,124

27

38

47

4,861

16

23

28

5,985

18

26

32

255

23

33

39

146

14

19

23

401

20

28

33

55

18

42

47

84

21

26

35

139

20

32

40

468

19

34

42

5,407

12

24

31

5,875

13

24

32

4

a

a

a

50

20

22

28

54

20

22

30

28,026

25

36

44

107,482

14

23

29

135,508

16

25

32

Suggested Citation:"Appendix B Analysis of Waivers for Disqualifying Conditions." National Research Council. 2006. Assessing Fitness for Military Enlistment: Physical, Medical, and Mental Health Standards. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11511.
×

 

Marine Corps

 

Accessions

12 Months

24 Months

36 Months

No waiver

Women

3,540

23

29

33

Men

45,542

15

20

24

Total

49,082

16

21

25

Drugs

Women

68

35

41

43

Men

1,635

18

25

29

Total

1,703

19

26

30

Weight

Women

327

23

32

35

Men

4,813

17

22

26

Total

5,140

17

22

27

Disease

Women

83

24

30

35

Men

954

18

22

26

Total

1,037

19

22

27

Dependents

Women

15

a

a

a

Men

583

17

24

28

Total

598

18

24

28

Mental

Women

69

14

25

25

Men

400

13

18

23

Total

469

13

19

23

Law violations

Women

55

22

27

35

Men

1,439

16

22

26

Total

1,494

17

23

26

Other

Women

58

29

38

43

Men

484

19

27

31

Total

542

20

28

33

All accessions

Women

4,240

23

30

34

Men

56,139

16

21

25

Total

60,379

16

21

25

Suggested Citation:"Appendix B Analysis of Waivers for Disqualifying Conditions." National Research Council. 2006. Assessing Fitness for Military Enlistment: Physical, Medical, and Mental Health Standards. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11511.
×

Navy

Accessions

12 Months

24 Months

36 Months

15,517

18

24

29

63,607

15

23

27

79,124

16

23

28

151

24

31

38

1,181

19

30

36

1,332

20

30

36

188

20

25

29

416

15

23

26

604

16

23

27

435

19

24

29

1,800

18

24

28

2,235

18

24

28

417

30

39

45

1,234

18

25

30

1,651

21

29

34

21

a

a

a

190

22

34

40

211

22

34

40

593

22

32

36

6,159

20

31

37

6,752

20

31

37

769

21

28

35

5,323

22

32

38

6,092

22

31

38

18,292

19

25

30

80,916

16

24

29

99,208

17

24

29

Suggested Citation:"Appendix B Analysis of Waivers for Disqualifying Conditions." National Research Council. 2006. Assessing Fitness for Military Enlistment: Physical, Medical, and Mental Health Standards. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11511.
×

 

DoD

 

Accessions

12 Months

24 Months

36 Months

No waiver

Women

59,326

20

28

34

Men

245,113

14

21

25

Total

304,439

15

22

27

Drugs

Women

433

29

40

47

Men

4,772

16

29

36

Total

5,205

17

30

37

Weight

Women

735

20

28

31

Men

5,700

17

22

26

Total

v6,435

17

22

27

Disease

Women

2,113

23

31

38

Men

8,982

15

22

26

Total

11,095

17

23

28

Dependents

Women

978

24

32

38

Men

2,500

15

22

26

Total

3,478

18

25

29

Mental

Women

566

15

24

29

Men

2,384

15

21

26

Total

2,950

15

21

27

Law violations

Women

1,709

19

28

34

Men

16,770

15

25

31

Total

18,479

16

25

31

Other

Women

868

21

29

35

Men

5,945

22

31

37

Total

6,813

22

31

37

All accessions

Women

67,272

20

28

31

Men

294,537

14

21

26

Total

361,809

15

22

28

aLess than 25 accessions.

Suggested Citation:"Appendix B Analysis of Waivers for Disqualifying Conditions." National Research Council. 2006. Assessing Fitness for Military Enlistment: Physical, Medical, and Mental Health Standards. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11511.
×

TABLE B-3 FOLLOWS

Suggested Citation:"Appendix B Analysis of Waivers for Disqualifying Conditions." National Research Council. 2006. Assessing Fitness for Military Enlistment: Physical, Medical, and Mental Health Standards. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11511.
×

TABLE B-3 Medical Failures and Waivers, May 1, 2003 to April 30, 2005, Active Forces (most frequent medical failures, ranked by frequency; excludes cases with 2+ failures)

Medical Status

Accessions

Name

Code

No Waiver

Waiver

No failure

213,614

 

All othera

88

 

7,528

Weight

54

 

7,524

Marijuanab

50M

 

1,727

Psychiatric

40

 

1,468

Lower extremity

34

 

1,858

Lungs/chest

28

 

1,402

Hearing

71

 

1,032

Vision

62

 

1,172

Upper extremity

33

 

1,500

Skin

38

 

1,115

Totals

 

213,614

26,326

Total accessions

 

 

 

Total not accessed

 

 

 

Total applicants

 

 

 

NOTE: MEPS Integrated Resource System Medical Failures.

aAll other medical fail codes with N < 2000.

bPositive test at physical.

SOURCE: MIRS Summary Tabulations, Two-Year Revised Data.

Suggested Citation:"Appendix B Analysis of Waivers for Disqualifying Conditions." National Research Council. 2006. Assessing Fitness for Military Enlistment: Physical, Medical, and Mental Health Standards. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11511.
×

Not Accessed

Total Applicants

 

No Failure

Failure

No Failure

Failure

% Waived

% Occurrence

145,468

 

359,082

 

 

 

 

13,276

 

20,804

36

29.7

 

8,788

 

16,312

46

23.3

 

7,069

 

8,796

20

12.6

 

2,835

 

4,303

34

6.1

 

2,200

 

4,058

46

5.8

 

2,298

 

3,700

38

5.3

 

2,605

 

3,637

28

5.2

 

1,696

 

2,868

41

4.1

 

1,340

 

2,840

53

4.1

 

1,601

 

2,716

41

3.9

 

 

 

 

 

100.0

145,468

43,708

359,082

70,034

38

 

 

 

 

239,940

 

 

 

 

 

189,176

 

 

 

 

 

429,116

 

 

Suggested Citation:"Appendix B Analysis of Waivers for Disqualifying Conditions." National Research Council. 2006. Assessing Fitness for Military Enlistment: Physical, Medical, and Mental Health Standards. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11511.
×

TABLE B-4 Medical Failures and Waivers By Gender, Race, and Service

Medical Status

Accessions

Name

Code

No Waiver

Waiver

Women

No failure

33,215

 

Weight

54

 

2,055

All othera

88

1,394

Marijuanab

50M

105

Vision

62

242

Psychiatric

40

150

Lungs/chest

28

168

Lower extremity

34

226

Skin

38

176

Hearing

71

80

Upper extremity

33

100

Totals

 

33,215

4,696

Men

No failure

180,399

 

All othera

88

 

6,134

Weight

54

5,469

Marijuanab

50M

1,622

Psychiatric

40

1,318

Lower extremity

34

1,632

Hearing

71

952

Lungs/chest

28

1,234

Upper extremity

33

1,400

Skin

38

939

Vision

62

930

Totals

 

180,399

21,630

Black

No failure

31,357

 

All othera

88

 

995

Weight

54

974

Marijuanab

50M

331

Lungs/chest

28

211

Lower extremity

34

228

Vision

62

150

Hearing

71

101

Skin

38

144

Psychiatric

40

92

Upper extremity

33

106

Totals

 

31,357

3,332

Suggested Citation:"Appendix B Analysis of Waivers for Disqualifying Conditions." National Research Council. 2006. Assessing Fitness for Military Enlistment: Physical, Medical, and Mental Health Standards. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11511.
×

Not Accessed

Total Applicants

 

No Failure

Failure No

Failure

Failure

% Waived

% Occurrence

29,185

 

62,400

 

 

 

 

3,147

 

5,202

40

37.0

3,192

4,586

30

32.6

614

719

15

5.1

444

686

35

4.9

461

611

25

4.3

405

573

29

4.1

312

538

42

3.8

352

528

33

3.8

313

393

20

2.8

116

216

46

1.5

 

100.0

29,185

9,356

62,400

14,052

33

 

116,283

 

296,682

 

 

 

 

10,084

 

16,218

38

29.0

5,641

11,110

49

19.8

6,455

8,077

20

14.4

2,374

3,692

36

6.6

1,888

3,520

46

6.3

2,292

3,244

29

5.8

1,893

3,127

39

5.6

1,224

2,624

53

4.7

1,249

2,188

43

3.9

1,252

2,182

43

3.9

 

100.0

116,283

34,352

296,682

55,982

39

 

21,227

 

52,584

 

 

 

 

2,023

 

3,018

33

30.2

1,314

2,288

43

22.9

1,491

1,822

18

18.2

409

620

34

6.2

278

506

45

5.1

267

417

36

4.2

297

398

25

4.0

237

381

38

3.8

226

318

29

3.2

114

220

48

2.2

 

100.0

21,227

6,656

52,584

9,988

33

 

Suggested Citation:"Appendix B Analysis of Waivers for Disqualifying Conditions." National Research Council. 2006. Assessing Fitness for Military Enlistment: Physical, Medical, and Mental Health Standards. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11511.
×

Medical Status

Accessions

Name

Code

No Waiver

Waiver

White

No failure

154,339

 

All othera

88

 

5,657

Weight

54

5,489

Marijuanab

50M

1,223

Psychiatric

40

1,271

Lower extremity

34

1,481

Hearing

71

781

Lungs/chest

28

1,018

Upper extremity

33

1,240

Vision

62

848

Skin

38

817

Totals

 

154,339

19,825

Other

No failure

15,236

 

All othera

88

 

465

Weight

54

598

Marijuanab

50M

93

Hearing

71

90

Psychiatric

40

62

Lungs/chest

28

82

Vision

62

81

Lower extremity

34

75

Skin

38

69

Upper extremity

33

81

Totals

 

15,236

1,696

Air Force

No failure

36,145

 

All othera

88

 

1,079

Weight

54

826

Psychiatric

40

267

Lower extremity

34

259

Lungs/chest

28

145

Vision

62

154

Upper extremity

33

215

Marijuanab

50M

 

Skin

38

139

Hearing

71

60

Totals

 

36,145

3,144

Suggested Citation:"Appendix B Analysis of Waivers for Disqualifying Conditions." National Research Council. 2006. Assessing Fitness for Military Enlistment: Physical, Medical, and Mental Health Standards. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11511.
×

Not Accessed

Total Applicants

 

 

No Failure

Failure

No Failure

Failure

% Waived

% Occurrence

101,603

 

255,942

 

 

 

 

9,073

 

14,730

38

29.7

5,872

11,361

48

22.9

4,623

5,846

21

11.8

2,170

3,441

37

6.9

1,615

3,096

48

6.2

1,779

2,560

31

5.2

1,502

2,520

40

5.1

1,052

2,292

54

4.6

1,084

1,932

44

3.9

1,079

1,896

43

3.8

 

100.0

101,603

29,849

255,942

49,674

40

 

12,855

 

28,091

 

 

 

 

1,341

 

1,806

26

29.0

1,043

1,641

36

26.3

652

745

12

11.9

313

403

22

6.5

284

346

18

5.5

252

334

25

5.4

191

272

30

4.4

191

266

28

4.3

162

231

30

3.7

110

191

42

3.1

 

100.0

12,855

4,539

28,091

6235

27

 

23,801

 

59,946

 

 

 

 

1,942

 

3,021

36

35.9

862

1,688

49

20.1

320

587

45

7.0

325

584

44

6.9

341

486

30

5.8

292

446

35

5.3

218

433

50

5.1

410

410

0

4.9

264

403

34

4.8

296

356

17

4.2

 

100.0

23,801

5,270

59,946

8,414

37

 

Suggested Citation:"Appendix B Analysis of Waivers for Disqualifying Conditions." National Research Council. 2006. Assessing Fitness for Military Enlistment: Physical, Medical, and Mental Health Standards. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11511.
×

Medical Status

Accessions

Name

Code

No Waiver

Waiver

Army

No failure

93,986

 

All othera

88

 

3,759

Weight

54

4,105

Marijuanab

50M

575

Psychiatric

40

677

Lower extremity

34

919

Hearing

71

692

Lungs/chest

28

652

Upper extremity

33

755

Vision

62

609

Skin

38

532

Totals

 

93,986

13,275

Marine Corps

No failure

39,469

 

All othera

88

 

1,291

Weight

54

1,201

Marijuanab

50M

605

Psychiatric

40

325

Lungs/chest

28

295

Lower extremity

34

331

Hearing

71

147

Upper extremity

33

262

Skin

38

201

Vision

62

190

Totals

 

39,469

4,848

Navy

No failure

44,014

 

All othera

88

 

1,399

Weight

54

1,392

Marijuanab

50M

547

Lungs/chest

28

310

Lower extremity

34

349

Psychiatric

40

199

Hearing

71

133

Vision

62

219

Skin

38

243

Upper extremity

33

268

Totals

 

44,014

5,059

aAll other medical fail codes with N < 2000.

bPositive test at physical.

SOURCE: MIRS Summary Tabulations, Two-Year Revised Data.

Suggested Citation:"Appendix B Analysis of Waivers for Disqualifying Conditions." National Research Council. 2006. Assessing Fitness for Military Enlistment: Physical, Medical, and Mental Health Standards. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11511.
×

Not Accessed

Total Applicants

 

No Failure

Failure

No Failure

Failure

% Waived

% Occurrence

48,895

 

142,881

 

 

 

 

5,888

 

9,647

39

29.1

4,254

8,359

49

25.3

3,409

3,984

14

12.0

1,362

2,039

33

6.2

971

1,890

49

5.7

1,174

1,866

37

5.6

939

1,591

41

4.8

542

1,297

58

3.9

656

1,265

48

3.8

632

1,164

46

3.5

 

100.0

48,895

19,827

142,881

33,102

40

 

30,008

 

69,477

 

 

 

 

2,182

 

3,473

37

28.0

1,249

2,450

49

19.7

1,569

2,174

28

17.5

501

826

39

6.7

430

725

41

5.8

373

704

47

5.7

483

630

23

5.1

246

508

52

4.1

263

464

43

3.7

269

459

41

3.7

 

100.0

30,008

7,565

69,477

12,413

39

 

42,764

 

86,778

 

 

 

 

3,264

 

4,663

30

29.0

2,423

3,815

36

23.7

1,681

2,228

25

13.8

588

898

35

5.6

531

880

40

5.5

652

851

23

5.3

652

785

17

4.9

479

698

31

4.3

442

685

35

4.3

334

602

45

3.7

 

100.0

42,764

11,046

86,778

16,105

31

 

Suggested Citation:"Appendix B Analysis of Waivers for Disqualifying Conditions." National Research Council. 2006. Assessing Fitness for Military Enlistment: Physical, Medical, and Mental Health Standards. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11511.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix B Analysis of Waivers for Disqualifying Conditions." National Research Council. 2006. Assessing Fitness for Military Enlistment: Physical, Medical, and Mental Health Standards. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11511.
×
Page 216
Suggested Citation:"Appendix B Analysis of Waivers for Disqualifying Conditions." National Research Council. 2006. Assessing Fitness for Military Enlistment: Physical, Medical, and Mental Health Standards. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11511.
×
Page 217
Suggested Citation:"Appendix B Analysis of Waivers for Disqualifying Conditions." National Research Council. 2006. Assessing Fitness for Military Enlistment: Physical, Medical, and Mental Health Standards. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11511.
×
Page 218
Suggested Citation:"Appendix B Analysis of Waivers for Disqualifying Conditions." National Research Council. 2006. Assessing Fitness for Military Enlistment: Physical, Medical, and Mental Health Standards. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11511.
×
Page 219
Suggested Citation:"Appendix B Analysis of Waivers for Disqualifying Conditions." National Research Council. 2006. Assessing Fitness for Military Enlistment: Physical, Medical, and Mental Health Standards. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11511.
×
Page 220
Suggested Citation:"Appendix B Analysis of Waivers for Disqualifying Conditions." National Research Council. 2006. Assessing Fitness for Military Enlistment: Physical, Medical, and Mental Health Standards. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11511.
×
Page 221
Suggested Citation:"Appendix B Analysis of Waivers for Disqualifying Conditions." National Research Council. 2006. Assessing Fitness for Military Enlistment: Physical, Medical, and Mental Health Standards. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11511.
×
Page 222
Suggested Citation:"Appendix B Analysis of Waivers for Disqualifying Conditions." National Research Council. 2006. Assessing Fitness for Military Enlistment: Physical, Medical, and Mental Health Standards. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11511.
×
Page 223
Suggested Citation:"Appendix B Analysis of Waivers for Disqualifying Conditions." National Research Council. 2006. Assessing Fitness for Military Enlistment: Physical, Medical, and Mental Health Standards. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11511.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix B Analysis of Waivers for Disqualifying Conditions." National Research Council. 2006. Assessing Fitness for Military Enlistment: Physical, Medical, and Mental Health Standards. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11511.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix B Analysis of Waivers for Disqualifying Conditions." National Research Council. 2006. Assessing Fitness for Military Enlistment: Physical, Medical, and Mental Health Standards. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11511.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix B Analysis of Waivers for Disqualifying Conditions." National Research Council. 2006. Assessing Fitness for Military Enlistment: Physical, Medical, and Mental Health Standards. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11511.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix B Analysis of Waivers for Disqualifying Conditions." National Research Council. 2006. Assessing Fitness for Military Enlistment: Physical, Medical, and Mental Health Standards. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11511.
×
Page 228
Suggested Citation:"Appendix B Analysis of Waivers for Disqualifying Conditions." National Research Council. 2006. Assessing Fitness for Military Enlistment: Physical, Medical, and Mental Health Standards. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11511.
×
Page 229
Suggested Citation:"Appendix B Analysis of Waivers for Disqualifying Conditions." National Research Council. 2006. Assessing Fitness for Military Enlistment: Physical, Medical, and Mental Health Standards. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11511.
×
Page 230
Suggested Citation:"Appendix B Analysis of Waivers for Disqualifying Conditions." National Research Council. 2006. Assessing Fitness for Military Enlistment: Physical, Medical, and Mental Health Standards. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11511.
×
Page 231
Suggested Citation:"Appendix B Analysis of Waivers for Disqualifying Conditions." National Research Council. 2006. Assessing Fitness for Military Enlistment: Physical, Medical, and Mental Health Standards. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11511.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix B Analysis of Waivers for Disqualifying Conditions." National Research Council. 2006. Assessing Fitness for Military Enlistment: Physical, Medical, and Mental Health Standards. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11511.
×
Page 233
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The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) faces short-term and long-term challenges in selecting and recruiting an enlisted force to meet personnel requirements associated with diverse and changing missions. The DoD has established standards for aptitudes/abilities, medical conditions, and physical fitness to be used in selecting recruits who are most likely to succeed in their jobs and complete the first term of service (generally 36 months). In 1999, the Committee on the Youth Population and Military Recruitment was established by the National Research Council (NRC) in response to a request from the DoD. One focus of the committee's work was to examine trends in the youth population relative to the needs of the military and the standards used to screen applicants to meet these needs.

When the committee began its work in 1999, the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force had recently experienced recruiting shortfalls. By the early 2000s, all the Services were meeting their goals; however, in the first half of calendar year 2005, both the Army and the Marine Corps experienced recruiting difficulties and, in some months, shortfalls. When recruiting goals are not being met, scientific guidance is needed to inform policy decisions regarding the advisability of lowering standards and the impact of any change on training time and cost, job performance, attrition, and the health of the force.

Assessing Fitness for Military Enlistment examines the current physical, medical, and mental health standards for military enlistment in light of (1) trends in the physical condition of the youth population; (2) medical advances for treating certain conditions, as well as knowledge of the typical course of chronic conditions as young people reach adulthood; (3) the role of basic training in physical conditioning; (4) the physical demands and working conditions of various jobs in today's military services; and (5) the measures that are used by the Services to characterize an individual's physical condition. The focus is on the enlistment of 18- to 24-year-olds and their first term of service.

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