87 Fts @ Lafb

[jodym]

This message is for Toro and FastCargo...were you at Laughlin between 1995-1999...T-38's? Just curious, I was a SOSM there and I'm trying to figure out who you are!

I'm trying to get a pilot slot now but had LASIK done. Have you heard of any waivers for this...or any way to get around it? Just thought some insiders might know. Thanks!

And oh yeah, Laughlin was horrible!

 

[chawbein]

I'm pretty sure that Lasik is an automatic DQ right now for the AF. The navy might waiver it though. In a few years, you never know what might happen.

 

[CCDiscoB]

Hey Chawbein, what happened to the B-52 dream? Is it now a C-5 dream?

Jodym - sorry dude, no waivers what so ever. Pilots are warned, no LASIK!! Even the Navy agrees, which tells me how serious the military takes it.

 

[chawbein]

Recruiter @ Barksdale told me that I'ld have to Nav to fly the BUFF. Whether that is true or not, I don't know. I'm just trying to get my PPL done so I can have a complete package before the March board. I like the C-5, I think it would be a challenge to fly it. Besides, there is a C-5 unit in San Antonio, close to home, ya know. It seems like a pretty well-run outfit. I'm also looking at ANG in MEM, strangely enough, they are transitioning to the C-5 in 2005(?).

Are there any nick-names for the C-5??

 

[Sonic Cruzer]

Hey Chaw,
I too noticed you've switched the pic to a bigger phatter **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED**er.
MEM ANG is a 141 unit and just like WPAFB they're transitioning in '05.

Rule #2 for getting a slot: Never believe ANYTHING a recruiter says.

(Rule #1: Avoid LASIK like an AIDS-tainted razor.)

C-5's nick is FRED. There was some discussion on SPN earlier this year about what FRED stands for:

"F*cking Ridiculous Expenditure of Dollars"
"F*cking Ridiculous Engineering Design"
"F*cking Ridiculously Exspensive Device"
"F*ing Ridiculous Economic Disaster. And what does it mean when you see two C-5s on the ramp, and one of them is on jacks? The base is out of jacks!! "

I like this thought best:
"I've heard the C-17 called either Barney (because it's a companion to Fred), or Buddha (big, fat, sits on the ramp, and everybody worships it)."

A

 

[chawbein]

Wow!! Fred is my middle name (seriously)!!

I forgot to mention Wright-Patt, although I dont' know what kind of outfit they have, but it can't be good since they hired sonic!!

 

[Rush Limbaugh]

Is there actually an ops unit at Kelly or is that just the depot?

 

[chawbein]

It's the Kelly Annex of Randolph AFB. They gave the rights to the facilities to the city or county or something and kept the rights to the runway. Now it is a dual military/civilian facility.

 

[Rush Limbaugh]

All true except it's annexed to Lackland which is right next door rather than Randolph which is 30 miles north. It's a great cross-country stop with the best TA service in the Air Force. Although Buckley does some outstanding work too but that's an entirely different conversation. And the billeting rooms...very nice.

My understanding was that the C-5 and KC-10 depot was at Kelly and the only ops unit there was the Tx ANG Viper's. Is there really an actual AMC C-5 unit there?

 

[chawbein]

I just know of the AFRES C-5 wing. 433rd.

Duh!!! Lackland!!! I get brain farts sometimes and can't remember which base is where.

 

[FastCargo]

Hey...

Check your PMs...

FastCargo

 

[MST]

Aluminum Overcast

They call the C-5 aluminum overcast too. One day I was flying along at 3000 ft. and I got this funny paranoid feeling. I saw a little blip in my peripheral vision so I turned around only to see the Titanic climbing out slowly behind me. It was at my altitude and about 1000 ft. off my tail. The things is HUGE.

 

[MooseTrax]

JodyM,

Did you work in the 85 FTS at all from 1995-1998?

Regards,

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

This info is outdated

Jodym - sorry dude, no waivers what so ever. Pilots are warned, no LASIK!! Even the Navy agrees, which tells me how serious the military takes it.

LASIK is no longer disqualifying for the Air Force. I had a student in one of my UPT classes this year who was the first guy to get a waiver. The guy kicked ass and selected T-38's. His vision prior to LASIK: 20-400 After: 20-15 Don't quit trying until they tell you YES. PM me if you need help citing an example for your case.

 

[jodym]

Hugh Jorgan-

I tried to PM you but your mailbox is too full! Thanks for responding... I'm really trying to get around the whole LASIK issue. My vision prior was 20/300 now 20/20 and has been for almost 4 years (I'm prior enlisted AF and had it done when I got out in 1999).

I'm ready to talk to whoever I can and beat down as many doors as possible. I was told that there is a possibility of getting a waiver if I selected the heavy track...and that's actually the route I want but I don't know who to contact (I've tried recruiters, flight surgeons, etc).

Any advice? Do you still keep in touch with the guy that had the waiver in UPT? I'd really like to talk to him if you have his email address.

Thanks alot!

Jody

 

[kelleyadai]

I am afraid that LASIK is still official a disqualifier for both AF and Navy. PRK is approved for both...

Here is the website..
http://www.tyndall.af.mil/325MDG/PRK_Aviation/Table_contents.htm

You will see under the LASIK part, it reads "PERMANENT DISQUALIFIED for Aviation/Special Duty Personnel"

It also lays out the differences between PRK and LASIK and why the accept one and not the other.

The good news is, they are TESTING to see approval for LASIK. It is only DQ to Aviation/Special duty, but any other warfare community is fine. Where is the good news? All versions of RK (except PRK/LASIK) are disqualifying to ALL warfare communities. Therefore, LASIK at least has its foot in the door.

Here is the Navy's website, if you are curious
http://navymedicine.med.navy.mil/PRK/refractive_surgery_information.htm

Hugh, don't know what the deal is with that stud??? It would be way cool if he was the first LASIK stud waived...maybe policy hasn't caught up with him yet, or maybe he is part of a test group?? It certainly would be worth a look!