deaddebate

Sorry to hear that. YMMV As of Sep 2014: Total AF patient registration ~35% Top 10 patient registration rate | Maxwell (highest) / Hurlburt / Aviano / Menwith Hill / Grand Forks / Holloman / Dyess / Randolph / Kunsan / Vandenberg Lowest 10 patient registration rate | Malmstrom / Keesler / Davis Monthan / Barksdale / Goodfellow / MacDill / Croughton / Little Rock / Minot / McChord (lowest) As of Oct 2014: Usage plateaued from Apr 2014 through present. Top 10 usage | Maxwell (highest) / Randolph / Ellsworth / Hill / Dyess / McConnell / Bolling / Luke / Hurlburt / Robins Lowest 10 usage | Menwith Hill / Malmstrom / Aviano / Kunsan / Minot / Misawa / Croughton / Spangdahlem / Incirlik / McChord (lowest)

I had a conversation with a MAJCOM DDR program manager earlier this year. He told me about the rates of the Air Force testing compared with the rest of DOD and differences across Active, Reserve, and Guard. He said the numbers just don't support the concept of deterrence as the program is currently envisioned, and that we should fund and implement randomized testing to an effective 100% to 200% test rate annually. Testing over 200% is wasteful, but below 100% lets too much slide undetected. Define "too much" on your own (0.5%? 0.25%? 0.1%? etc), but we're not at 0%. Fun fact: a fair number of Guardsmen/Reservists are secretly treated for various conditions through their civilian docs (mental health, pain management, etc) but hide it from the Air Force. Eventually they piss hot for a controlled medication and their careers are squashed pretty damn quick. Lesson: don't lie or hide medical treatment.

AFI 36-3205, paragraph 1.3. Usually 120 days from date notified of denial.

http://www.stripes.com/news/us/bergdahl-investigation-finished-1.307649 http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/military/article/Bergdahl-investigation-finished-5812417.php http://www.ktvb.com/story/news/local/2014/10/10/bergdahl-investigation-complete/17027607/

http://www.stripes.com/news/us/military-health-review-verifies-a-pearl-secure-doctor-patient-email-1.307412

I hope these question don't appear callous or offensive, because I genuinely don't know the answers and would appreciate some insight. When the results of the various Class A mishap safety / investigation boards are determined following an ejection, and the pilot retains their flying clearance, is there much social stigma from other people in the flying community? Is it viewed as a dodged bullet and the rare experience of a small minority? Can it haunt a pilots' career and advancement despite later creating a record of high performance/competence? Lastly, I suspect around half of all pilots who've survived election keep flying in the AF. Between the possible permanent injuries and a stat that historically 67% of all class A's are "attributed to human factors," is that estimate about right?

Cold Weather Aviation System (CWAS) http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/503308/new-cold-weather-uniform-being-put-to-the-test.aspx

I wouldn't worry about Air Force manpower too much. There's always Stop Loss programs. ;-)

Gay marriage now available for over half of all Americans--legal in Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia, & Wisconsin http://fivethirtyeight.com/datalab/same-sex-marriage-is-now-legal-for-a-majority-of-the-u-s http://www.scotusblog.com/2014/10/symposium-the-supreme-courts-opt-out-means-more-marriage-equality-but-continuing-harms-to-gay-and-lesbian-couples http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/courts_law/supreme-court-declines-to-review-same-sex-marriage-cases/2014/10/06/ee822848-4d5e-11e4-babe-e91da079cb8a_story.html http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/07/us/denying-review-justices-clear-way-for-gay-marriage-in-5-states.html

Next selection board deadline is approaching in Jan 2015. More information available in AFI 11-405 or at: https://kx2.afms.mil/kj/kx9/USAFPilotPhysicianProgram

http://www.stripes.com/news/us/3-women-pass-marine-corps-endurance-test-1.306447 http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2014/10/03/three-women-pass-marine-corps-endurance-test-paving-way-for-possible-first-female-graduates-of-infantry-school So from 2012 to present, 24 women have attempted and 4 have passed the qualifying test. Of those, 1 failed (medical injury) and 3 hopefuls are starting the main course.http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Military/2014/0930/Army-opens-Ranger-School-to-women-a-historic-leap-toward-equality http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765659921/Army-opens-Ranger-school-to-women.html

I was using your app to post. Watch where you point those fingers. ;-) -Sent from my phone ETA: looks like it wasn't me.

Like many of my posts, this one is long and somewhat boring, but I know many, many people that are highly invested in the quality, safety, and timeliness (access) of military healthcare. I encourage you to read this post to inform yourself on the developments, improvements, and weak points in one of (if not the) largest healthcare systems in the nation. Hagel Orders Improvements in Military Health Care - http://www.defense.gov/Transcripts/Transcript.aspx?TranscriptID=5511 Highlights: Other news articles:http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=123314 |http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/10/01/us-usa-defense-healthcare-idUSKCN0HQ52Z20141001 |http://www.stripes.com/hagel-military-health-care-system-not-good-enough-1.306063 |http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/02/us/military-hospitals-veterans-affairs-chuck-hagel.html The full report is available at:http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2014/0614_healthreview%C2'> Here are some excerpts of those documents: If there is a particular area you want to review (sentinel events, telephonic/electronic counseling, site visits, anecdotal stories, etc.), that can probably be found quickly. But there is a TON of data in these reports, far more than I could review in a single post.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/california-adopts-means-sex-assault-rule-25826956 https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201320140SB967

At first I didn't understand what the hell you meant. Then I started watching the nightly national news and it became rapidly apparent.

Semi-related news. http://www.stripes.com/news/air-force/grand-forks-afb-reprimands-48-airmen-for-cheating-on-test-1.305046 Grand Forks AFB reprimands 48 airmen for cheating on test

I had a conversation with some Recruiting folks about this, because I have no experience or knowledge on the selection process. It's my understanding that you do need MFS certification for consideration, but I may be wrong.

IIU still requires depth perception, but if you need a waiver, it's almost guaranteed.

RPA needs a FCIIU clearance, not a FCI. Standards/limits for no waiver are: Must be correctable to 20/20 Any Meridian +5.50 to -5.50 Astigmatism 3.00 Anisometropia 3.50 Waiver is very possible for anything beyond that standard, assuming you're not straight-up blind, but of course processing the clearance takes longer.

Care is bigger than what the patient sees. Consider billing, human resources, admin support staff, and then roll in the significantly higher requirements for military service (deployment processing, retraining, MEB's, etc). If the patient interaction is good off base, that doesn't mean that the medical action is over. There are substantially more things the owning MTF still must accomplish. Then let's not forget the numerous times the civilian care is crummy.

In that case, chance of waiver is much better.

Terrible idea. Civilian medics, especially contractors and TriCare referred doc's, pass the buck and lack any sense of enforcement of Air Force standards. Air Force medicine isn't good, but civilian care is just as bad. Civilian docs not employed by the DOD (including contractors working in the MDG) CANNOT be entrusted to ensure a servicemember is indeed fit to fight, proven in my personal experience with their culture and actions. This is further proven in existing regulation (AFI's 41-210, 10-250, 48-149, and others). The manpower that would be required to ensuring these yahoos would do what we would want them to do would be untenable and a misuse of resources. Read this thread - Sounds about right from my experience. The lack of review of physical paperwork by clinical staff is appalling considering the immense push to keep such records current and accurate by the admin/clerical regs. Read this - In reality, there just isn't time to read records. It isn't fair, and but it's the truth.

Cross your fingers. Chance of waiver is low, assuming you're going for Pilot, because I'm guessing you haven't gone to MFS at WPAFB yet since you weren't selected. If you did go, it is a better chance of approval, if not MFS would process the waiver, which is the same week as that TDY. Check out the MFS threads for more info on that.

I don't really want to discuss this topic because it's been discussed too many times. It is important, it is relevant, but there is little to add that hasn't already been said. I agree that it is unfairly critical of the military health system, especially as the MHS is at least half-comprised of civilian organizations, contractors, MOU's with local hospitals, etc. As you say, this is America's problem, not just the DOD's. Take a look at the state health systems in Tennessee, W. Virginia, or California and tell me if they are any better. Hopefully @JCJ can add his two cents. He has plenty of experience to speak from.

Short answer, yes, you'll likely need a waiver. Read the Waiver Guide linked in my signature block. Should tell you everything you need to know. I'm at home now, so if you have a more specific question, ask it tonight and I'll answer it tomorrow.