I’m a private pilot looking to go guard for tankers/ heavies. The problem is that I have keratoconus and require a contact lens, called a scleral lens, in my left eye to have full 20/20. I have no issues with my right. Has anyone ever been waivered for flight training with a hard contact like this?

Thanks for any advice in advance.

I am a prior-enlisted Marine who is trying to become a military officer and aviator, and I am hoping some of the members here with Air Force, Air National Guard, Reserve,and/or cross-service experience might be willing to share their perspectives.

I spent well over a year pursuing a Marine Corps officer/aviation path, but encountered significant medical issues during the accession process. Ultimately, I had to work through a lengthy medical-records correction process with U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (they are responsible for both USN and USMC and maybe even USCG). I am told that the process has finally been resolved, but it cost a great deal of time and effort. I still expect medical hurdles, but at least now malpractice and/or erroneous records are purportedly eliminated successfully.

I have not yet submitted an officer package to any branch because I never made it past the medical hurdles.

If I could choose my ideal path, I think it would probably be an Air National Guard or Air Force Reserve fixed-wing pilot DSG/TR UPT slot. I realize that it is an extremely competitive route and that many applicants never receive such an opportunity. I am grateful for the chance to serve in any capacity and understand that I may ultimately need to pursue a different path.

I also realize many successful DSG/TR UPT applicants possess prior military aviation experience, and/or FAA civilian pilot ratings, or some combination thereof. In my case, I may eventually need to spend significant money pursuing FAA medical certificate before I can even begin PPL training on my own dime.

On the testing side, I took the ASTB without any formal preparation and scored an 8/8/8 with a 59 OAR, which I understand is competitive for USN/USMC/USCG aviation programs, notwithstanding all other non-testing requirements.

If I decide to pursue Air Force aviation, I understand that I will need to take the AFOQT and TBAS. I have googled how that works, and I still feel like I have no idea how to attack scheduling and studying, but I will research further (I didn't study for the ASVAB and I didn't study for the ASTB, but maybe I should study for the AFOQT/TBAS!).

Also, I know the Air Force may not let me fly because I didn't go to a really awesome school and get a STEM degree. I know the Marine Corps will let anyone fly if they can run 3 miles fast enough (half-joking). The Air Force wants you to have a bigger brain, and the pedigree to match!

Likewise, I understand that USAF medical accession is only one hurdle. If I successfully navigate MEPS and/or DODMERB, I would still need to satisfy the Air Force's aviation medical requirements through ACS? My understanding is that the Navy and Marine Corps use NAMI, while the Army uses DAM, but USAF uses ACS.

My primary question is this:

Do you all suspect that, based on the rumors of what you've heard, Air Force medical in general is stricter than other branches' accession standards, and/or Air Force ACS is stricter than the other branches' aviation medicine (NAMI and/or DAM)?

I understand that every case is unique and that waiver decisions depend on the specific medical issue involved. I am not asking anyone to predict my chances. Rather, I am trying to determine whether it is worthwhile to invest significant time in pursuing Air Force pilot opportunities before beginning that process. (I am mid/late 20s and don't have unlimited time or money).

Even if I can potentially eek into flying as an airman, finding a AirGuard and/or AirFR unit to sponsor you for DSG/TR UPT slot could be an even more difficult feat than an active duty USAF aviator.

My ultimate hope is that someone who was experienced in multiple branches might give me their thoughts and advice (I know that is a Hail Mary). I appreciate anyone's thoughts!

I also have juvenile misconduct. As a sixteen and fifteen-year-old, I was drinking and smoking marijuana. The Marine Corps had to get the Marine Corps recruiting command to waive that when I enlisted back in the day. Obviously, even though it is now more-ancient of a concern, it still matters, and requires a waiver again!

I would also like to thank some of the aviators and military leaders who inspired my interest in military service and aviation over the years, including my Buck Sergeant grandfather, and also Joe Foss, Jimmy Stewart, and a certain Air Force colonel/general who spent a suspicious amount of time around a Stargate.

Thank you all for your time, your service, and any advice you may be willing to share.

Semper Fidelis, and Aim High.

In the off chance someone reads this, how debilitating really are the neck and/or back issues from the 9G sorties? Every fighter pilot I've spoken to has basically said "yeah my neck hurts but there's ways to manage it and its cool." But one of them has a fused neck. Is it chronic pain and certain cervical degeneration that follows you even after the conclusion of your 10 year stint, renders you incapable of playing with your kids/turning your head fully, and poppin oxys for the rest of your life? Or is it a mild ache that surfaces occasionally throughout life after you're done?

I have a 99 PCSM with a PPL, a STEM degree, and some other accolades that are probably not that important. I'd like to make the best use out of my credentials for a rewarding military career, and while I am captivated by the fighter mission (like almost everyone I guess), the thought of turning my head with an effective weight of ~150 lbs bearing down my cervical spine makes me nervous. Currently deciding between pursuing Fighters AD/ANG, or Heavies ANG. I know we all pay a price in one way or another for our passions and professions, but I do enjoy being able to look around at stuff without pain.

I appreciate any and all info

Looking for info on - Is it true that LASIK is allowed with has certain A/C restrictions?

I’m now entering freshman year of college and am considering AFROTC (or potentially OTS/OCS after college). Do I have any chance of getting a waiver? I know I was diagnosed after the 12 years old cutoff, but I find it hard to believe I’d be DQ’d for an allergy I genuinely don’t have anymore. 

Thank you!
 

I am still on my deployment orders, but they expire in the next 3 weeks. I already submitted a LOD, but now I am debating whether to do MEDCON orders or use my airline pilot disability program instead. The airline pilot disability program pays me more than what I make in the Air Force when on AD orders. 
 

I normally am a TR and my family and I live 800 miles away from my reserve unit. My only issue with MEDCON is that if I come on those orders then I will need to move down to where my unit is and come in full time. Given that I’m still recovering and that my family has no plans of moving anytime soon, I am trying to weigh what makes the most sense here. Does MEDCON benefit my military career in any kind of way or would I be better to just go with my civilian disability plan and be with my family? 

On the military side, I've completed MEPS en route to enlist and had my TBI waiver approved, but that alone bars be from any maintainer positions which I was bummed about. Given this, do you think the accident could bar me from flying as a fighter pilot in the future? If I did ever get to the FC1, I could provide them with all the same material that the FAA is asking for, and I understand they're completely different animals, but was wondering if this is something I could realistically get past

I'm 20/50 and 20/70 right now (only graduating H.S. this year) so I know it will be a lot worse four years down the road when I hope to be shooting for my UPT slot. I've heard mixed answers about getting waivers for eye vision and I just wanted to hear some first hand stories. =)

Also, what was your eye sight when you recieved the waiver? Thanks!

Has anyone heard of a waiver being approved for POTS, or how long the process typically takes. We haven’t seen anything related to POTS in the waiver guide

TIA

Big news today.  The AF has officially adopted a new (more lenient) color vision policy that is more in line with the Army and Navy.  Waivers are now available for ALL flying classes, including pilot applicants, as long as your CCT score is at least 55 with each eye on all cone types (i.e. red, green and blue letters).  If you have recently been disqualified for color vision and you think you meet the waiver criteria, PM me and we'll see if we can get a waiver put in on your behalf.  This will certainly be no problem for anyone recently DQ'd at Wright-Patt.  If it was at a different location, there may be a little more legwork, but it should be do-able.  If you are not sure whether you meet the waiver criteria, I'm happy to look into your physical and let you know.

Survey

Does anyone know if pilots are often able to get waivers for allergies?

Also, the new color vision test is a bitch.  

i only ask because my FC1 date keeps moving further and further and would like to get it fixed if able.

I searched for the regs online, all I found on head injuries is regs if you are already have had a flying physical.

Any help is appreciated.

I got into a lot of credit card debit, had to move back in with mom and dad, and did feel a little depressed. I went and saw a therapist and the therapist assumed I was suicidal (I was not but I guess she had a lot of patients that are due to money issues). Anyway she gave me the option of voluntarily admitting myself to the mental ward or I would be BAKER ACTED.

So I spent 72 hours in a Psych Ward. Basically, I was treated like a criminal for 72 hours. Only 3 small meals, no snacks, mandatory group therapy, limited calls to the outside and one on one time with the Doctors, which was more like a police interrogation, than trying to help someone get better. They basically grilled me everyday multiple times to try to get me to admit I was suicidal or homicidal. It was like being in the Wire or Homicide Life on the Street...

I was released after 3 days. I was put on Lexapro for 6 months, I basically took 10 mg for the mandatory 3 months and tapered off of it due to side effects for another 3. I have been off of it for 8 months. I did get my discharge paperwork from the hospital.

Despite the hostile treatment of the doctor, he described me as "goal oriented" (I mentioned wanting to be a pilot and officer in the Air Force) with no suicidal or homicidal ideation. However, gave me a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder. Recently, I saw a Psychiatrist gave her the doctors paper work and she gave me a Psych Evaluation and felt that the hospital gave me a misdiagnosis and that I do not nor have never had Major Depressive Disorder. She gave me a letter stating as much.

I know the military has the Genesis Program that sees your entire medical history. I have heard that having any sort of Psych Ward stay is a 100% DQ and is not waiverable. (Mostly from making an anonymous call to a few Officer Recruiters) I do have a two guard interviews coming up. If I get hired will this ruin my changes of ever becoming a pilot.

But some good news, since last year I have gotten a much better paying job with a better work schedule, I have finished my PPL and am working towards my powered instrument and glider instructor ratings.

Is it possible to get a waiver?

The latest FAA guidelines for using Ozempic for weight loss. 

Weight Loss Management WORKSHEET.pdf Weight_loss_management_dispo_table.pdf