deaddebate

That's another good point. You'd be taking these other auxiliary exams with less than perfect vision. It's just a better idea to have current, good vision when you show up at MEPS.

Yeah, that's uh... That's a pretty dumb question. The answer is no. You need a new IFC physical with matching new waiver for the position. See AFI 48-123 Ch 3.

http://thediplomat.com/2015/08/how-the-philippines-plans-to-revive-a-former-us-naval-base

Well, no but technically yes. You don't need 20/20 to pass MEPS, and MEPS doesn't have the full Optometry capability to determine potential correctability to 20/20 with the correct lenses for your most current refractive error. To be scheduled at WPAFB for a FCI, you also technically don't need to have it, and the AF will give you the lenses as a normal benefit / coverage, but it may become a sticking point. Anyway, it'll all be much easier if you just have it from the beginning though. And you may want to accomplish a civilian exam yourself to demonstrate that you are correctable rather than putting up with some potential administrative hurdles and headaches. Again, you don't need to actually have the glasses, but just documentations showing the manifest refraction prescription to get you to 20/20.

At this stage, it's probably better to ask forgiveness than permission and try to submit direct to AFMSA. However your FS and his boss, the SGP, may not be willing to take that risk of upsetting their MAJCOM buddies. If so, sending the waiver to AFRC may not be good because they similarly may not want to jump straight to AFMSA because AETC owns it. But, AETC was the one that shut you down, so you're hesitant to go back to them, but they are the waiver authority. So, if they won't go straight to AFMSA, try to go to AETC because it'll probably end up there anyway and going to AFRC first will just delay processing by a few weeks. The reason I can't give you a very good answer is because this doesn't happen often. Being a Reservist is the monkey wrench because it adds another middle man. ETA: Funny to think of an O-6/O-5 at the MAJCOM as a middle man, but that's the truth in this situation. You have to go very high for approval once you get denied.

https://www.my.af.mil/gcss-af/USAF/ep/contentView.do?contentType=EDITORIAL&contentId=cE3494DD04C7C2F3E014CD716CF8208A1

You need to be wearing glasses at least 30 days before the MFS evaluation. Contacts (whether hard or soft) change the curvature of the surface of your eye and it both effect the results of your test and that change will be evident to the optometrist reviewing the test results. Stop worrying so much about this. Most tests are done with correction worn, some do not. The standards are well known and they will not spring something unorthodox on you in the spur of the moment. You are heavily over-thinking this.

Before you push for an ETP, you do have one final appeal to AFMSA. AFI 48-123 para 6.4.1. states that if a MAJCOM dq's you, only AFMSA/SG3PF can overturn it through a new waiver request. This new waiver is usually still routed through the same MAJCOM's on it's way up. Conceivably, your medical unit could submit directly to AFMSA but this is considered very poor form, and AFMSA may just push it back to the MAJCOM's first before they review it. However know that you are almost starting the waiver processing all over, so at the fastest this will still take 45+ days, but probably closer to 90 days for most cases. For an ETP, the updated AFI 36-2101 para 3.7., Table 3.1. Rule 5, and Notes 1, 3, 4, and 5 are the applicable references. Paraphrasing these rules and notes: "If the requirement is "other" mandatory requirements in the Officer Classification Directory specialty description and the officer has provided justification then approval authority is HQ AFPC/ DPSIC. The MPS will ensure the individual requesting the waiver provides rationale and justification why the waiver is warranted and include appropriate supporting documentation (i.e., transcripts, training records, performance reports, test results, letters of recommendation, medical evaluations, or other documents justifying the request). If a waiver is requested for physical reasons, forward only those recommended for approval by base medical authority. A copy of the waiver decision is forwarded to the AFCFM. The AFCFM is the approval authority. ANG and AFR officers requesting waiver under this rule will complete waiver requests IAW the respective Classification Waiver Guide and send to NGB/AFR CFM for review and coordination. Waiver packages will be forwarded to HQ AFPC/DPSIC for coordination with the AFCFM." Could someone who has actually successfully routed an ETP confirm the routing? I believe it needs to route through your full Chain of Command (Sq/CC, Gp/CC, Wg/CC, MAJCOM/CC) and then to AFPC/DP (the AFCFM, aka the career field manager), and it should be supported the whole way. Even then, the AFCFM may just as likely DQ it without any justification.

First, your question is too vague. Could you answer a question like, "My car is making a funny noise, but I really need to drive from New York to Pennsylvania and I don't have money for a mechanic. Will my car break down or will it make it?" The MRI / Ortho notes will dictate how everything progresses. I've never heard of MRS before, but the capability does exist in the MSD (Medical Standards Directory) and DODI 6130.03, which essentially allows the doc to temp DQ you for any condition until it resolves. How it specifically is applied to your situation would be better answered by a recruiter. Lastly, searching "knee" won't help you because so much is determined by your functional capability, the MRI, and the specialists recommendation. The knee a complicated and finicky thing. Creating a waiver guide entry for ever possible knee condition /derangement and stage of recovery would be impossible. I could post more but it's late. Get your MRI results, the most important sections are usually titled "Impressions" and "Findings." Transcribe them here if you want and some folks here could probably help interpret and educate you on your likelihood of approval/waiver.

2 things and I'll check this in greater detail tomorrow. 1. MRS? I don't know that acronym. Medically Restricted Status? Do you mean DNIF/Mobility Restricted? Or Missus/Mistress? 2. Get the results of the MRI. Everything will hinge on that.

I figured this was the closest thread to the topic. "The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History" near Kirtland AFB is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institute. They are seeking funding to restore a B-29 display. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/nuclear-museum/restoration-of-the-b-29-superfortress-at-nuclear-m http://www.nuclearmuseum.org/visit/faqs/

OK, I super apoligize for anybody because I'm very drunk right now so heres my question. Is robert bates (the guy who shot eric harris) guilty or not guilty because he mistook his gun for a taser? again, sorry, but Im really drunk and I need to post this.

Go to the source! http://docs.house.gov/meetings/AS/AS25/20150414/103032/HHRG-114-AS25-Wstate-BogdanC-20150414.pdf http://docs.house.gov/meetings/AS/AS25/20150414/103032/HHRG-114-AS25-Wstate-SullivanM-20150414.pdf http://docs.house.gov/meetings/AS/AS25/20150414/103032/HHRG-114-AS25-Wstate-GilmoreM-20150414.pdf I haven't read or watched this stuff (and I probably won't) because I'm hip deep in the other NDAA hearings, but I encourage anybody interested in this topic to access what was actually written and said.

Enlightening--thanks. http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-15-308

http://www.appropriations.senate.gov/sites/default/files/hearings/032515 DHMS Miller Statement - SAC-D.pdf Statement by Mr. Christopher A. Miller / Program Executive Officer, Defense Healthcare Management Systems / Before the Senate Appropriations Committee / Subcommittee on Defense March 25, 2015

I can't say for certain, but I'm fairly confident is this will extend your waiver processing time a bit as it is reviewed at another office for recommendations, and the management group is most likely merely a tracking mechanism for studies. You'll get measured before UPT, then after, at your local MTF. A few extra steps, a little more time, but no concern over actual approval. Hopefully time is not a scarcity for you.

That's well within the waive-able range. There's no worry here. If you're already getting the excessive refractive error, this will just be tacked on.

New PSDM on myPers. 9 April 2015 / PSDM: 15-31 / SUBJECT: 20 - 24 July 2015 USAF Test Pilot School Selection Board Announcement / (APPLICATION SUSPENSE: 5 June 2015)

http://www.armed-services.senate.gov/download/15-34_-3-25-15 Senate Committee on Armed Services / Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support / Hearing to Receive Testimony / The Current State of Readiness of U.S. Forces / Review of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2016 and the Future Years Defense Program / Wednesday, March 25, 2015

http://www.defense.gov/transcripts/transcript.aspx?transcriptid=5610 / Remarks on the Next Phase of the U.S. Rebalance to the Asia-Pacific / SECDEF Carter / April 06, 2015

Uh, my point wasn't that Officers/Flyers/AFSC X earn more or less than Enlisted/Nonners/AFSC Y. I was saying Gen Welsh's claim of an "increase" of 40% over 12 years is wrong (it's over 15 years), fails to consider the paradigm-shifts of 9/11, and merely matches inflation. This repeated falsehood should be identified and ridiculed whenever presented. I just pulled data for TSgt and Major because it seemed like a good sampling and easily relatable to folks. If everybody is leaping to the "Flyers deserve X" and "DOD benefits are socialist-based," then I guess my post wasn't well-written to explain my opinion.

Gen Welsh spoke to the AFA at a monthly event. Here's the AF news link: propaganda http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/583428/csaf-discusses-air-forces-need-to-reset.aspx And the actual speech if you want to listen (it's about 80 minutes long): http://secure.afa.org/events/Breakfasts/Breakfast-4-2-15-GenWelsh.mp3 He begins with typical speech material, meaning recent successes and changes, including: review of PME material with re-focus on core values, total force inclusion in training and readiness vs the tiered readiness mind-set of other services, increasing importance of job performance in EPR, resetting Air Force priorities due to limited future resources in an unpredictable world, Capstone week at BMT, new Profession of Arms Center of Excellence (PACE) at Lackland, Total Force Commission Program at Maxwell, and landing a 4-Star slot for the AF Global Strike Command for re-emphasis and leadership in the nuclear enterprise. He also states the intention of setting written expectations/milestones for Officer's advanced/master’s degree or other course completions for promotion vice the current word-of-mouth guesswork and unit-level standards. Also that job performance should be the top deciding factor for retention/promotion of Officers. At 21:00, he talks about something like the end of "live virtual constructive training" and transitioning to "virtual constructive" training first with live training supplementing it. I don't really understand what he's talking about. I assume it's all pilot training. Could somebody tell me what the hell this is? Next there's the need for inter-industry communication with DOD and acquisition and development reform. Then he speaks about the 2020 deadline for the Budget Control Act/sequestration--nothing really new there. He re-emphasizes the end of Force Management Programs (re-sizing) measures for AF, saying Airmen shouldn't be distracted by these now peripheral concerns. Here's my key quote of his whole speech, discussing the major problems of internal communication with Airmen: This is exactly why I read the speeches, publications, and hearings about the Air Force, communicate with my local leadership, track myPers releases, and follow what my Career Field Manager says. It's all there, and you can be leagues ahead of your peers if you stay connected. AF Times is as worthwhile as used toilet paper. Get your information from the source, filter it through your bullshit detector, piece it together with previous information, and you're greatly empowered.This leads splendidly to his next point: pay and compensation concerns. He says that military compensation over last 12 years has increased about 40 percent, and the AF can't continue on that same cost-growth curve. He says we need a manageable growth rate. Let's compare that old line from the previous NDAA discussions that compensation is devouring our budget by comparing the Base Pay of an E-6 at 8 years and an O-4 at 10 years from 2000 (pre-9/11), 2003 (his "last 12 years" citation) and 2015. Yr: 2000 / E-6 @ 8: 1932.60 / O-4 @ 10: 4040.40 | Yr: 2003 / E-6 @ 8: 2400.90 / O-4 @ 10: 4954.50 | Yr: 2015 / E-6 @ 8: 3261.00 / O-4 @ 10: 6659.10 Pay increase for an E-6 between 2000 and 2003 was 19.5%. Pay increase for an E-6 between 2003 and 2015 was 26.3%. Pay increase for an E-6 between 2000 and 2015 was 40.7%. Pay increase for an O-4 between 2000 and 2003 was 18.4%. Pay increase for an O-4 between 2003 and 2015 was 25.6%. Pay increase for an O-4 between 2000 and 2015 was 39.3%. That seems pretty reasonable right? 40% is not chump change. Well compare that to the USD inflation and you tell me. Between 2000 and 2003, inflation was 6.9%. Between 2003 and 2015, inflation was 27.6%. Between 2000 and 2015, inflation was 36.3%. Here are some pretty charts to visualize my point. What happened between 2000 and 2003? 9/11 drove an enormous increase in funding and recruiting. We had major overhauls and increases of benefits due to the huge demands on the military and sweeping nationalism. Afterwards, pay crept back to a comparable level with inflation. When Gen Welsh says compensation increased 40% over 12 years, he's just repeating the false statistics spun in the FY14 and FY15 NDAA shenanigans. In truth, we must look back 15 years for that 40% increase and all that was just to keep pace with inflation. The last 12 years pay increases have been slightly BELOW the inflation average. And the DOD must maintain these benefit increases if they want to continue to compete with a now rapidly growing economy and an aggressive airline industry, as discussed in congressional testimony I previously quoted. Finally, at 1:12:00 through 1:18:00 is Gen Welsh's rebuttal to JQP about Creech and the "suck it up" misquote. JQP has since mad a small correction to his blog to correct any confusion. Gen Welsh was certainly fired-up about it.

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/ff32e0a3426a4f379a4f4d503cfe881d/ap-exclusive-special-ops-troops-doubt-women-can-do-job

Chelsea/Bradley Manning tweeting through a PR firm, calling and dictating tweets to submit. https://twitter.com/xychelsea http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/03/us/chelsea-manning-joins-twitter/ http://abcnews.go.com/US/convicted-leaker-chelsea-manning-apparently-joins-twitter-prison/story?id=30096125 http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/chelsea-manning-joins-twitter-prison-n335461 http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/apr/02/chelsea-manning-joins-twitter http://www.politico.com/story/2015/04/chelsea-manning-twitter-prison-116656.html

For those that hate that how slow FaceBook is on the AF networks or otherwise can't access it: