Aviation Medicine

I’m leaving AD Army (non-aviation) for an AF ANG unit. I have a couple mild medical issues linked to rucking which could garner some disability. Are they worth claiming prior to FC1 and ANG service? I suspect claiming them would cause more trouble than they’re worth. Obviously the ANG slot is much more important to me than x amount of disability, but any input is appreciated.

Currently a reservist applying to both AD and NG/Reserve boards. As part of the AD process, my recruiter will have me go to MEPS. As a reservist, I was told if I get hired by a reserve unit, I can bypass MEPS entirely. Would paperwork/waivers required by MEPS complicate any accessions on the reserves side? I have deployed and gotten some minor injuries. Conversations with reserve flight docs say it wouldn't be a problem at their unit, I'm fit for duty. I'm worried that MEPS would be more strict about this, and would complicate my life. Can anyone in the know weigh in on this?

Hey guys, Looking for some guidance for a buddy of mine. We are currently in UPT and he has managed to dislocate his shoulder and was medically DQ'd. Unfortunately, he had dislocated it previously years ago and gotten surgery. The surgery seemed to have taken and he was granted a waiver. Now that he has dislocated it again he was DQ'd because of "shoulder instability" and was told by the flight docs that he is done. I can provide more details as required but the big picture question I'm getting at is; will the ANG be able to work some drug deal and approve him to continue training? Maybe through an ETP or somthing? (I have no clue what I'm talking a…

Currently AD and diagnosed with Sleep Apnea and considering going guard/reserve. Going through an MEB which I was told wouldn’t be an issue for me to “pass”. Would a Sleep Apnea diagnosis or a disability rating associated with it (if there is one) prevent me from going guard/reserve? Considering not taking continuation to 20 but don’t want to find myself not in AD and not be able to go guard/reserve.

Hello, I am a first year medical student in the Air Force HPSP program. I'm interested in both Aerospace and Emergency med. I've always had problems focusing but it has never been a problem until now. I spoke with my advisor(an M.D.), and he seemed to be concerned that I may have ADD and recommended I get checked. I was wondering how this would affect my career in the Air Force if I decided to go in to Aerospace or Emergency Med and if this could affect promotions, etc? Could I even go into Aerospace Med if I were diagnosed? If it would cause any problems I do not plan on following up on this. (I'm passing but not doing as well as I could) However, I know that if I…

Long story short, I was in college a while ago and was in a Navy program. It was cut during sequestration and since I was struggling in school, I was one of the folks that got cut out. All of that back story to get to by question. When I went to MEPS the first time, I said that id been prescribed medicine for acid reflux in past and that caused a stir. I went to a gastroenterologist and had test done and he wrote a letter saying that my general practitioner had misdiagnosed me years prior. Now that I am going through the process of trying to get a guard or reserve slot, I’ll have to go to MEPS again (I last went in 2010) and wanted to know how to handl…

Does the Air Force care if pilots chew tobacco?

Dudes, more of my story to come, but if you are an ANG part timer and get sick or injured, know the regs. The leadership doesn't know them, and there is a lot of help out there for you. My story cannot be told for a bit, some of you know it, but I ended up doing pretty good. Your peers and your subordinates probably don't know this info, most of the pilots at my base don't know it. See attached if you are sick or injured while on duty status or your illness can be tracked back to duty status. Sorry, it was made in pages on a mac. This should be posted in every ANG/AFRC units CC's office. Outline2.pages

Greetings, I was passed my FC1 physical last April. I will commission this May and will be doing the Gold Bar program for a year then off to UPT. I was cleared for my eyes in the FC1, with the exception I have to wear glasses. However, its either in my head that I now realize I can't see perfect, or my eyesight is getting worst. Will I be able to request PRK/LASIK once AD? Or, am I in the clear if I passed the FC1 and they just waive something? -Thanks

Does the FAA have access to a pilot's Air Force medical records? I know the database for waivers and such is computerized now...does the FAA have access to that database without the member's consent?

I saw the flight physical counts for flying general aviation now. Is it the initial class 1 or the yearly PHA that counts for it? Also, does the CSO PHA count for flying GA? I'm trying to figure out what exact piece of paper I need to carry with me and if I need to do a civilian medical or not.

When I was active duty, I had an etoh waiver. Foolishly, I embellished the dsm-iv test hoping that would get me out of trouble--wrong!!! I was seperated more than 4 years ago and thought I was completely out of the service, until I received a letter of promotion just recently. I found out I am in the inactive reserves now. I want to fly but have had some drinks socially since I thought I was never going to fly again. My old waiver expired 2 yrs ago, but since then I've been reevaluated and only had 1 out of the 7 for dsm-iv. What are my options for flying now? Should I show the reeval or just say nothing?

Hello, I am hoping someone can ease some of my worries regarding my medical record. First of all I have researched this topic extensively and am aware that allergic rhinitis after age 12 is a DQ, however, I have somewhat of an extenuating circumstance. I am applying for guard units and work as a full time firefighter as a civilian. Common practice in the fire service is to get a prescription for Flonase as working the large wild land fires we have in California for weeks on end is a recipe for congestion. I explained this to my doctor in 2011 and in order to get the prescription he gave me the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis which I do not technically have (…

Flight Doc, I've read some of your other posts on allergies, but am having a hard time determining whether or not I will be DQ'd or waivered. I've had seasonal allergies since I was a child. I've gotten prescriptions and even did allergy shots for a few years. I've been allergy and prescription free for about 8 years now (I'm 24). I can cut grass, play softball in Spring etc. with no problems. I started the allergy shot routine after age 12, but I'm pretty sure my first visit to the doctor about my allergies occurred before age 12. Would I be waiverable? Otherwise, I have perfect vision and no history of any other medical problems. I'm hoping this one thin…

Hello all, I was recently picked up ANG and haven’t been able to consult with the base Flight Surgeon yet to discuss my waver chances. My dependent Tri-Care Medical Record show a 4 year history of Asthma, classified “Mild to Intermittent”. I was on albuterol and Advair. I stopped taking medication at age 11 years and 7 months. Haven’t taken asthma medication since. Fast Forward to age 19 ( after realizing my dream to kick ISIS ass via sky), I wanted to be prepared for the upcoming asthma waver challenge. I scheduled a pulmonologist visit and PASSED a MCT, indicating no longer handicapped via asthma. 1. Going forward what are my chances to get a wave…

Hi I’m not sure if this is the right place to post this but I have the opportunity to become part of a flight crew but I need to pass a class 3 flight physical but I don’t know if I can since I do have amblyopia but this is something I really want to do but I don’t want to waste my leaderships time by going through the process just to be told I can’t pass. Thank you all for listening

Hello, I orginally posted this in the other forum, but think it probably makes more sense to be here... ----------------- My career dream is to be a test pilot or at least some sort of pilot of high performance aircraft. I have a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering with a 4.0 GPA from a top school and I am currently obtaining my private pilot's license (13 hours with solo to date). Unfortunately, I have an eye condition called amblyopia, which means I have significantly reduced eyesight in one eye. Without correction, my vision is 20/40 in my left eye (good eye) and 20/80 in my right eye (bad eye). My left eye is near sighted and my right eye is farsighte…

About 14 yrs ago (as a 10 yr old boy) I had a neuro-anyeurism operation. The problem was completely resolved, and now, 14 yrs later I'm 100% healthy, with 100% neuroogical function intact. My medical records were sent to MEPS for a determination; not wanting to make a determination MEPS is now forwarding my records to the AF SG. I'm hoping that something that happened over a decade ago (and is resolved w/o any affects) will not stand in my way of being selected for OTS. Do you folks recommend I provide the SG with a letter from the neurosurgeon saying that I am fully neurologically OK? (since the SG will never see me, all he sees is my records from 14 yrs ago, i feel …

Quick question, I am trying to get back into the guard after a 4 year break in service, meaning I will have to go to MEPS again, My unit (recruiter)is saying after submitting my info to MEPS that it could take up to 5 Surgeon General Waivers to get back in. He says he could see one get approved but not up to 5. Is he right or just not willing to put in the work? His tone indicates he does not want to submit the waivers. Still waiting to hear from the OG though. Am I screwed? Do the SG waivers get any special consideration due to being previous active duty for 10 years opposed to a newbie off the street?

Morning Gents, Wasn't sure wether to post this here or “what are my chances” but anyway, I just had an ankle fracture requiring surgery. Doc put some screws and a plate in. I’m 24y/o, about half way through my PPL studying up for the AFOQT, planning on finishing around early summer. Obviously depending on how it heals (surgery was today), does anyone think this would affect my chances of getting a slot/have any advice on the matter? I’m healthy otherwise, just wanted to get some opinions. Thanks guys👍

I've already got my wings and am currently flying in my MWS (multi-crew member aircraft...not pointy nose type). I've suffered many ankle sprains playing football in college. The orthopedic surgeon at one time suggested that I would need to seriously look into have a "modified brostrum" procedure to be performed on my ankle. If I lay down on a table, with my ankle overhanging the edge, all a doctor would have to do is place his one hand and push down on my shin, and with the other, pull up behind the heel and see my enitre foot slip up and down about a good inch or so. I guess this is due to the amount and number of times the ligaments on the outer portion of th…

Can one take antibiotics for acne during UPT? How do I get them approved?

I have learned that you must be off all ADD medication for at least 12 months to get into AFROTC much less Flight training. Is this true for Anxiety medications as well? I keep on emailing these different flight doc's but quite frankly they arent very helpful. They keep saying I need to first be evaluated. All im asking for is the policy relating to anxiety med's. Thanks

I was doing my IFC 1 at an MTF (really wished I'd gone to MFS for both IFC1 and MFS portion), when they pulled an old record and saw I was hospitalized in 2008. My blood alcohol at the time was 1.5 times the legal driving limit (0.115 IIRC). I was not driving, so I wasn't doing anything illegal. I don't recall any figures for C02, ALT, or AST. The flight doc was saying my BAC was "really, really high" and that she was worried about me having to sign some type of abstinence statement. I'm 27 now, and I've never had any issues or history of anything related to alcohol. The proximal hospitalizing event in 2008 required I stop by in ADAPT since the AF considered it, "an alcoh…

Hi Everyone, I am looking for advice or others experiences if they have ever been DQ'd from WP for their IFC1. And I'm not talking about trying to get a waiver for unwaiverable conditions (ie. you don't like that you truly have it but you still want to fly) ie. a technician or doctor didn't do the test correctly or didn't follow the procedures that they have. I've been told by numerous FS that I shouldn't be trying for an ETP because I don't have the condition that I was DQ'd for but shooting to appeal WP. Anything is appreciated.