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SG DQ'd me and I need advice!

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javajake28

Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2001
Posts
11
I posted this over on studentpilot.net as well and figured I'd try those of you here as well. Here's my dilema:

I got the "official" notification today that I got DQ'd and I'm searching for some solution. Here's my situation:

I had some flight surgeon nix me because of IBS (i've posted here earlier if this sounds familiar, stick with me though....) which was opined by a general practicioner based on his best guess (long story involving kayaking, the Rio Grande, bad water and some nasty, prolonged infectious diahrea), I went to a Gastro-specialists who reported that I DID NOT have IBS and I submitted the paperwork yet the SG still is taking the diagnosis of the non-specialist over the specialist. When I called the SG office to get a better explination the guy brushed me off, said sorry, told me there wasn't a way to get a more detailed reason why from a flight phys. (too busy, hey, i understand that) and hung up. No way! I can't let this rest, especially letting my grossly competitive scores (96 pilot, 90 pcsm) go by the wayside.

If ANYBODY has dealt with a similar situation with the SG or knows of ANYBODY who has or who might have some inside info or knowledge please, PLEASE let me know. I'm even considering writing my congressman if i feel like I've run out of options. That may seem extreme, but I may just consider it if I can stir the pot a little. I don't want to be a pain in the ass, but I've been getting jerked around enough by the process that I'm not giving up now.

Thanks.
 
Give us more info...

- What is IBS?

- Which service are you trying to enter?

- Is this your pre-commissioning physical or what?

- Where is the SG who turned you down located? (What mil. facility?)
 
Suggestion

I'm not sure of the specifics of your situation as far as the medical condition. Nor am I familiar with the any of the issues that you're raising because you haven't provided enough details. BUT, what I think needs to be done is to have YOUR SPECIALIST get intouch with Brooks AFB (this was the clearing house for AF medicals, maybe there's a different one for the branch you're dealing with) and process the paperwork (have your physician provide the necessary documents) to show that you don't have this IBS thing. Additionally, if you can't find out WHO to talk to, then I would even consider calling up the local military flight surgeon's office (located on any FLYING base) and try dealing with him on the issue. Pump him for information on what needs to be done. I'll bet that he'll be MORE than helpful. Go to the highest level possible...Major or Ltc. S/He might know how the system works since they deal with waivers constantly. That's what I'm suggesting as some options for you. Best of luck!
 
more info on my problem

IBS is irritable bowel syndrome. it's a stress related thing that there really is no test for, diagnosis by elimination, IBS DQ's for any service. It occurs mainly in women with a small percentage of men having it. It's one of those things that "family" doc's usually send people off to gastro-intestinal docs to diagnose since they're the experts. Well, that's what I did and yet they still are DQ'ing me for flight duty.

Air Force, and the SG that nailed me was at Air Education and Training Command. The guy that I talked to that helps with the paperwork (civil emplyee) said "we're so backed up with pilot applicants that I just don't know what to tell you." Is it somewhat common for a doc to be able to call up the SG office and talk directly to a reviewing doctor? I got the impression it was but good luck. maybe I need a more convincing argument. They would give me a waiver for regular commissioning (they told me I was lucky to get that!!!) and that I should take it. Well, the problem isn't that I'm a snob, it's that I'm age critical and I don't have time to get in, get cleared up and then wait for an active duty board....well, there's a little pride in me as well with the fact that I feel I'm more than qualified. Especially given some of the scores I've heard of guys getting picked up this recent board.

Thanks for your input.
 
Based on what you said, I'd still do what I advised you of earlier unless someone has a better suggestion.

Number 1, call the local flight surgeon at your nearest AFB.

Number 2, tell him of the situation and ask him for help, guidance and advice.

Number 3, don't just accept a commission unless you really think that you're going to be happy with NOT flying.

Number 4, I understand that you have high AFOQT scores...but that's not the only thing that will determine how well you'll do in pilot training. It's a warm fuzzy feeling that you have right now, but there are other factors and I wouldn't keep bringing up the "test score thing."

Number 5, I'm convinced that if you've truly run into a "block" with this civilian guy, then you NEED/MUST do the footwork to circumvent this person by getting a contact to PULL through the paper work rather than trying to push against a wet noodle.

Number 6, hope that you don't feel I'm lecturing.

Number 7, BEST OF LUCK!!
 
Lecture accepted. My apologies for playing the "scores" card, though the warm fuzzy feeling is long past, I've been in this process for a couple of years now...longer story.

The paperwork that states I don't have IBS made it to the reviewing physician, I just can't figure out why it was ignored. Thanks for the advice: I'm in Illinois, is Scott the nearest AFB to call?
 
Be persistent, but polite. I had to write several letters to my Congressman concerning my state of legal residency while trying to get into USAFA. He either liked my writing skills or became convinced that I was committed to the AF because he's the one who eventually gave me my appointment.

As a squadron commander I fought an 18-month battle for a guy to get back on flight status. The politics were all against him and he was turned down at HQ/AF level once. We eventually prevailed. I know another guy who graduated from USAFA in the lean pilot years who didn't get a pilot slot because of a football injury. He is now a weapons school grad flying the A-10!

Bottom line: There are hundreds of stories where persistence pays off against a bureaucracy that would rather push you aside than deal with your issues. If you want to join the AF, you'd better get used to it. Hard fought battles can bring the sweetest victories.

Try calling Scott AFB's Aerospace Medicine office and ask to speak to a flight surgeon. Good luck.
 
I contacted somebody at a base who is doing me a big favor and had me fax some of the medical info to him and he and the doc there would take a look at it. He got back to me saying he is contacting the AETC HQ to find out if what I have is waiverable....he's going to get back to me. Now, my question is this, I know it is waiverable, I just want to get ready in case AETC tries to pull the wool over his eyes as well. What i am learning is that not being on active duty makes it harder to get info and try and get things done. Wish me luck.....
 
This is a "waiverable" condition. I have a buddy who's had it for 3 years and is still on flying status. However, his wing commander had to go to bat for him (in fact, for some conditions, the wing commander can override the docs while waiting for waiver action to be finalized). Not much help if you're not on active duty yet.

The other thing you can do is try another service. In general, if you can pass the physical, you can pass the physical. It may also be possible to submit the results of, say, a Navy physical to the Air Force for consideration (at the risk of maybe burning the bridge to the Navy).
 

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