My son is 17 and talks daily about signing up for the service (he's leaning Air Force...yeah!). The reality hit me the other day that he was diagnosed with Protein S Deficiency as a child. We had him tested ten years ago after I had multiple blood clots and was found to have the disorder. He has never had a clot and is NOT on anticoagulants. In fact, the hematologist always told us to not alter his lifestyle or restrict his activities because the probability of him getting a clot is less than 3%. The course of action is to do nothing different until he actually gets a clot, which will likely be never. Will this 11 year old diagnosis make him medically disqualified? If so, can it be waived? He will be devastated if it is a medical DQ. I'm assuming that he will have to disclose it, right?

My son is 17 and talks daily about signing up for the service (he's leaning Air Force...yeah!). The reality hit me the other day that he was diagnosed with Protein S Deficiency as a child. We had him tested ten years ago after I had multiple blood clots and was found to have the disorder. He has never had a clot and is NOT on anticoagulants. In fact, the hematologist always told us to not alter his lifestyle or restrict his activities because the probability of him getting a clot is less than 3%. The course of action is to do nothing different until he actually gets a clot, which will likely be never. Will this 11 year old diagnosis make him medically disqualified? If so, can it be waived? He will be devastated if it is a medical DQ. I'm assuming that he will have to disclose it, right?

It might be disqualifying, but im sure a waiver wouldnt be a problem, seeing as the problem is not serious. I know how you feel though. I want to get into AFROTC, and I have a birth deformed hand that is smaller than my right. Im not sure what I will do if I get DQ'ed permanently, its been my dream to commission as an officer and fly aircraft. I think everyone has a challenge to overcome in their lifetime, whether or not you overcome it is based on your level of determination.