Well this just takes the whole "naval officer first" thing and flushes it down the toilet, doesn't it? After the NAMI whammies were doled out we were told that we were there to be officers first and that we should redesignate. Most of us did. I love intel so far. I can't believe that there is this sudden reversal in policy.
This is just a great way to take a problem that is bad (redesignation) and make it much worse. How much money will this waste? My class had four of ten pilots lose their spots (almost five), three of us redesignated and one is headed home. The class after me lost about ten percent of their entire class to NPQs (all redesignated). I'll only feel good about this if they start giving flight physicals up front before you get your FS. Or at least take anyone who needed any waivers at MEPS aside and giving those people a flight physical/NAMI letter sorted before they go.
Also, the recruiting angle:
"Well, I asked my recruiter/the people on AirWarriors what would happen if I didn't get this waiver..."
Navy: You'll quit your job, and pack up your life. We will send you to OCS, and give you a physical on day one with some follow on appointments in the first few weeks. Then when you get your NAMI letter the week of graduation NPQing you for an issue that we knew about from the git-go, you get sent packing with nothing to show for what you did.
Unless you are some kind of rock star and an intel kid DORed last week, you're screwed.
AF and Marines: Sorry, I just got the results back and your flight physical didn't go well. Let's talk about non-aviation jobs/a ground contract.
I get the money/numbers issue. But now we are just treating people with dreams and good intentions like they are disposable. That isn't "taking care of your people."