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

in that elbow. They are not needed now and I could get them taken out if need be. Is this something that could disqualify me from UPT. Should I have them removed before my FC1. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks

I did a deep dive on this forum and couldn’t find a solid answer to this question. I’m headed to Wright-Patt at the end of February for my FC1, will I have any issues with urinalysis, blood work, etc. if I am taking supplemental creatine? 
 

Thanks in advance.