What are my chances with this juvenile record and medical history?

[neptune]

Hello All,

I know there have been a lot of threads like it, but I think I have a few questions that make this post stand out.  First of all, here are some basic facts about me:

Gender:  Male

Age:  24

Degree:  Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

GPA:  3.2

Flight Time:  1 Hour (I plan on getting more)

Fitness Level:  Active, slim build.

It has been my dream since I was younger to be a pilot in the USAF.  During my freshman year of college, I was in AFROTC.  After freshman year I dropped AFROTC due to it affecting my grades in engineering, and me doubting my chances of getting a pilot slot due to medical conditions.  I regret this decision, and I want to correct it and chase my dream by either going Guard/Reserves or attending OTS.

During college, I worked at an avionics/aviation research lab for about two years.  The lab was at the local airport, and we had two fighter-trainer jets (L-29 Delfin's) and also a military helicopter.  I got the chance to fly in all of these, and even pilot the L-29's from the back seats several times.  Most importantly, the lab was constantly bringing in Air National Guard fighter pilots for studies.  I worked with and got the contact info of a few of them, and I believe they would be willing to write me letters of recommendation.  

The things that are concerning me is a past juvenile record incident, as well as my medical history.

When I was 13 years old, my friend and I were having an airsoft gun war outside of his house.  One of ours friends from school was walking by on the street, and we very stupidly thought it would be hilarious to fire a few pellets down range at said friend.  This was a terrible mistake and I regret it.  I don't know what I was thinking.  My friend and I both got brought down to the police station, I got charged with battery (as a juvenile, obviously), my mom signed a paper, and I went home.  That's the last I ever heard of it.  While I wholeheartedly regret this decision, I cannot change the past.  I wanted to get your opinions on how this will affect me getting a pilot slot/top secret clearance.  I want to fully disclose what happened because I refuse to lie on any forms.  I already lied on some medical forms in the past during AFROTC, regretted it, and fessed up and corrected the forms.  I don't want to make that same mistake again, so I will be disclosing this incident.

On to my medical history.  Around 11 years old, I was diagnosed with anxiety, depression, and ADHD.  I don't think I had anxiety or depression, but when my parents divorced I was forced to see a doctor and that's what they diagnosed me with and gave me medicine for.  I will admit that I showed symptoms of ADHD, and the medication I got for it helped me.  A year before I started college, I got off all of this medication.  In addition to this, I was born with a few knuckles missing in each finger on my left hand (thumb is fine).  The fingers are all shorter on my left hand.  My right hand is totally normal.  This birth defect does not affect me at all, not even a little.  While I cannot bend the fingers the same way on my left hand, I still have full grip control and dexterity.  In fact, I type at a well above average speed, play guitar, have flown aircraft, and do everything else anyone else could do.  

Now, let me explain reasons why I don't think these medical problems affect me.  I got off the medication a year before college.  I did well in college and never had any problems getting good grades.  I got a 3.2 GPA in engineering, which I know isn't the most amazing GPA ever, but I am proud of myself for it since I worked hard.  I have done very well in all of my jobs, and any of my past or present employers would be willing to testify to that.  I am a very driven and motivated person, and I know that will shine through.  As far as my hand goes, I can prove to the flight doctor that my hand is fully functional by doing whatever tests he or she asks of me.  In addition, in AFROTC, I passed my DODMERB medical exam without even needing a waiver for my hand.  I believe this is because I was able to prove to the doctor my hand would not hinder me.  She asked me to do basic tests with my hand, and I did all of them with no problems.  Hopefully the fact that I passed that medical test is a testament to the fact that my hand will not cause me issues when piloting an aircraft.

That is about it.  I apologize for the wall of text, but I didn't want to leave out details.  I plan on blowing the AFOQT out of the water when the time comes.

Can I please get your opinions on my chances on successfully overcoming the adversities I discussed (past juvenile record, past medication, and hand deformation), as well as just my overall chances of getting a pilot slot?

Edited August 10, 2016 by neptune

[bb17]

You need 68 more hours to get to the magic number they are looking for. 

[Duck]

The juvenile record shouldn't affect anything from what I have seen. I would definitely bring it up during an ANG interview as a way you have grown up and learned. It may also bring some levity if you tell it the right way.

I am most worried about your hand. I know from personal experience how strict the Medical Standards are for pilot applicants. Once you have wings they are much more inclined to do everything they can to chain er... Keep you in the service.

This is probably something I wouldn't bring up. If they ask you about it tell them the truth, but don't do their jobs for them.

At your DODMERB were you classified as "Pilot Qualified" or "Nav" or something else? (I was initially just Nav, do they even still do that?)

[neptune]

On 8/10/2016 at 8:19 AM, Duck said:

The juvenile record shouldn't affect anything from what I have seen. I would definitely bring it up during an ANG interview as a way you have grown up and learned. It may also bring some levity if you tell it the right way.

I am most worried about your hand. I know from personal experience how strict the Medical Standards are for pilot applicants. Once you have wings they are much more inclined to do everything they can to chain er... Keep you in the service.

This is probably something I wouldn't bring up. If they ask you about it tell them the truth, but don't do their jobs for them.

At your DODMERB were you classified as "Pilot Qualified" or "Nav" or something else? (I was initially just Nav, do they even still do that?)

Alright, this is an extremely late reply, apologies for that.

Thanks for the advice.  The juvenile record worries me.  It's going to be tough explaining "Yeah I shot someone walking down the street with an airsoft gun because it seemed funny" when I'm applying for a position that potentially entails me actually firing upon people, and making sure those people are enemies and not friendlies.  Do I just be straight about this if/when it comes up?  No sugar coating?

I am worried about the hand issue as well.  Although, during my time working at the airport lab during University, I met several guard guys who told me they need other pilots who had various hand deformities.  One of them knew a Navy hornet guy who had the exact same condition as me.

To answer your question, during the DODMERB I wasn't classified as anything.  From my understanding, it was the medical exam to determine if I am "officer qualified".  It had nothing to do with aviation duties.

I am working my ass off right now to get this student debt paid off (should be done in a year).  After that I need to work on flight hours.  In the meantime I will try and get my AFOQT and TBAS out of the way.  

I am an engineer by trade.  I am starting to wonder if I do get a guard position, will there be any engineering companies that would be willing to hire me, knowing that I may be deployed occasionally?  My current engineering job requires me to work a lot of hours so I am going based off that.  OTS is starting to look more and more appealing.

Any other advice is appreciated.  Thanks.