JakeFSU

During my FC1/MFS at Wright-Patt, they did not use the same circles with number that you usually see. Instead, they used a laptop for the color vision test. A letter is presented one at a time for about 5 seconds and you have to click (with the mouse, not the keyboard) the letter you see. It gets progressively harder. Look at this link: http://www.iovs.org/content/52/2/816/F1.large.jpg. It is a lot like what you will see, except the letters are larger and are presented one at a time.

If someone has the uncorrected acuity of 20/350, then they most likely wouldn't meet the refractive limits anyways. I'm not a doctor but I did sleep at a Holiday Inn last night. I was concerned about my visual acuity when getting my initial FC1. Once at Wright-Patt, I found out that my current prescription (-2.25) was really overcompensating and I didn't require such a strong prescription My cyclo at Wright-Patt was right at the -1.50 limits so I didn't require a waiver. Before heading to Wright-Patt, I was convinced I'd require a waiver. The letters during my cyclo were not the clearest but I could make them out. So, one word of advice when going through your FC1, if you can make out the letters even if they aren't really clear, try to identify them. They will work with you to a point. You can't just rattle off the alphabet. Take my advice with a grain of salt, my AF flying career is just getting started.

It's not the length of time that necessarily makes a commute horrible. It's the bumper to bumper traffic, merging from 3 lanes to 1 lane, standing in a packed metro car, fighting your way onto a pack metro platform, or dealing with all the other idiots doing the same thing make the DC commute horrible. I can think of a lot worse commutes than Silver Spring to Georgetown/Foggy Bottom area. You'll see.

Long commute? I'm sure it's an average commute.

Thanks for clearing that up. I'm already stressing that the Wright-Patt docs will find something random that I had no idea about. Reading the stories on here, such as abdominal ultrasounds and enlarged spleens doesn't help ease that stress.

I know the FC1 is very through, but what test did Wright-Patt do to determine you have an enlarged spleen? Sorry I can't help.

The closest Metro stop is Foggy Bottom, which is accessible by the Blue and Orange line. You can walk to Georgetown from Foggy Bottom. The walk takes about 20 minutes to get to Wisconsin & M st. But, there are two DC Circulators that go right through Georgetown. They are the "Union Station-Georgetown" route and the "Dupont-Georgetown-Rosslyn" route. It cost a $1 to ride. The bus isn't as bad as taking other Metro buses bringing the outside trash into the city, but it is still public transportation. Parking in Georgetown ranges from $7 to $13 a day if you are in by 8ish and out before 6pm. Otherwise, you can easily spend $30 a day for parking in Georgetown. When I was looking for apartments/studios last year, the best way to find a place was craigslist and walking into to random apartment buildings. You are going to be looking at a peak time. There will be a million "Massholes" coming to the city at the beginning of the Fall looking exactly for what you are. You have to be fast and ready to put a deposit down within an hour or so after seeing the apartment. Be prepared to pay first and last months rent. You can look for a sublease on craigslist. Or start in an area you want to live and start walking into the apartment buildings. Ask if they have any availability. You have to do this at the very end of the month or the very beginning of the month because that is when residents turn in their 30 day move out notices. You can find a nice studio or an alright 1br for $1,600...just not in Gtown.

Got to love $10 beer night. You have to find good happy hours. I live on Scott Circle, which is near DuPont area. Everything is centrally located. I can walk to bars, restaurants, and grocery stores. I'd stay away from anything with "Heights" in the title and I wouldn't live in Silver Springs. Personally, I think Silver Springs is rundown. Columbia Heights is trying to get better. They built a huge shopping center with a WSC, Best Buy, Target, and some other stores restaurants. But, it is still gross. I hate going there. As for the $230 Metro pass, I believe that is new. I think it is a monthly unlimited pass. When I use to use my commuter benefits for the Metro, it was something like $230. So, I think the Metro offers the monthly unlimited pass to match some commuter benefits. A lot of people have cars in the city, but like everyone has said before me, parking is a hassle and expensive. Luckily, I have a work garage I can use as a personal garage as well, or I would not have kept my car. What area are you interning/working/whatever over the summer? Also, if you have a price range, I can direct you to other areas that may help out.

The Engineers created the black mass, substance, or whatever you want to call it. The Engineers were going to use the black substance to destroy the human race, which the Engineers created. The Engineers have the same DNA because they created the human race. What Brewskis said was the way I interpreted the opening scene. The Engineer in the beginning scene sacrificed himself to create the human race. Prometheus gave the human race fire, so it makes sense to have a shit ton of flamethrowers are on a ship named Prometheus. I could be wrong, but I remember the procedure was something like removing the appendix or spleen. Again, I could be wrong. Maybe it took six or so paintings to convince Weyland to build a ship. Also, notice the cave paintings stopped. I think the Engineers stopped coming to earth once they realized they created a bunch of assholes. The dying old guy wanted to meet his maker, aka the Engineers. I think he was under the impression the Engineer could "fix" him. I thought it was funny that the Engineer kills Weyland with his own creation (the android). Obviously, still a lot of questions. But the question I'd like to be answered, is what were the Engineers running from in those holograms? The Engineers created something that killed all of them except the Engineer in the sleeping chamber. What was it? The movie was good, but not great. However, it was visually stunning in the IMAX.

How quickly do you think a unit can't put together a package for the board? Has anybody had experience or know of someone who quickly put together an AFRC package with only about two months to go? Assume that all the applicant has all the materials (e.g., transcripts) he needs to get and MEPS has been completed. Is it realistic to get the FC1/MFS scheduled and competed before 25 May?

Truth. Turbine0512, I know that you said that you know nothing is guaranteed and I'm not trying to preach that you thought anything was guaranteed. With that said, the moral waiver thing isn't guaranteed until the signatures are on paper. Even if you have support from recruiter/squadron/leadership. I was recently selected for a Guard slot, started processing, but my moral waiver wasn't signed by leadership. In my case, I disclosed everything beforehand and had support of the squadron and the recruiting office. Regardless, upper leadership didn't sign the waiver. Nothing is guaranteed is a very tough lesson to learn. As you know, disclose everything up front and have all court documents ready. I'm just trying to give you a heads up that getting a moral waiver isn't easy, but (hopefully) not impossible. Good luck.

Sorry I can't answer your question Extra300Driver, but I was wondering if anyone as seen GoDucks? It looks like he hasn't logged in since Novemeber. I really hope he didn't write this forum off just because of the bs that went down in the Red Lens Waiver thread. That would be a shame, he was a wealth of knowledge and would easily answer your question. I know he answered several of my quesions directly. Maybe try a PM. Jake

I've flown in both aircraft recently. I have most of my time is in the DA-20, but it started having maintenance issues so I flew the DA-40. The first time I flew DA-40 I actually soloed in it, so the transition is easy. For me the biggest difference was the fixed prop, it adds an extra step in your checklists. Also figuring out the glass cockpit instead of the normal 6 pack took some getting use to. Now to actually answer your question, there isn't going to be any differences between getting your PPL in a DA-40 then there would be in a Cessna 150. However, your wallet might feel differently...the DA-40 will probably be at the higher end in costs. It was definitely a smooth aircraft to fly.

Definitely an old thread, but thought someone might shed some light on my recent blood work. So, I had some blood work done and I was looking over the results and comparing to what is considered normal. My hematocrit came back at 39.3 (slightly below normal) and my hemoglobin was 13 (also slightly below normal). Looking at the AFI 48-123, anything under 40 requires further blood work and a waiver. But it looks like waivers are only considered for trained airmen. Until yesterday, I didn't think I'd have any problems getting my FC1, obviously now I'm not feeling as confident. Anyone have anything similar? Or know how I can increase my hematocrit by .7!?!? I'm expecting to go to Wright-Patt March/April time frame. Appreciate any advice/information.

This is the exact thing I was told I need a Moral Waiver for. I got an underage drinking citation my freshman year of college, it was deffered, paid a fine, cleaned up trash on the side of the street for 9 hours, and expunged from my record. Every recruiter I have talked to, and the hiring boards have said it will need a waiver. You discolsed it, but no waiver was needed? And your application was sent to the AFRC board? Anything you know, perhaps, in actual writing, that says I wouldn't need a waiver? Thanks for the reply.

I got a question for all you guys that got sponsored for the NOV AFRC board. I'm trying to get sponsored for the June boards. I have been talking to two squadrons specifically. The hurdle I am trying to get over is I need a Moral Waiver. Every reserve recruiter told me not to even try, but I told both pilots in charge of the boards in the squadrons I have been talking to and they told me to apply. They seem to be open to letting me interview, and if I get sponsored they'd be willing to do the leg work for the waiver. Basically, the question I am asking, has anyone heard of a Moral Waiver approved at the AFRC level after the Wing Commander signs off?

I recently was offered a nav slot for an HC-130 unit. They told me they are on the list to getting Jmodels or AMP, and if it happens all the navs that would qualify will get a UPT slot. I am kind of young (25), so I wasn't worried about the age factor and I think this was one of the reasons I was chosen for the nav slot. But to add something to this thread, the board did tell me that as long as I could pass the FC1 and they transitioned before my 35th birthday they would pursue a waiver for me. They were definitely confident that a nav had until 35, but nothing was a guarantee. Eventually I politely declined the opportunity after being selected for two alternate slots in other units. Got a question for you Marco, you say you will find out in a couple weeks if you are going to be upgraded, how do you know you'll find out soon? I'm just curious...I'm a second alternate at one unit and the first alternate at another. There are 4 primaries ahead of me at one unit and 3 primaries ahead of me at the other. From everything I've read from other alternates getting upgraded, I feel like I have a good chance to get upgraded. I mean one of those 7 primaries has got to move on, DQ, or something, right? I know how it feels to be the alternate too buddy. It is a weird spot, because I don't wish any harm on anyone, but man do I hope one of them decides to do something else. It's especially weird when you interact with the primaries on drill weekends.