Where should I start?

[puttin4doh]

Hey Guys, I am currently flying for a regional airline in FL. Like most of you, I've always wanted a military flying career, however my vision has restricted me thus far. I've noticed that some surgeries are being waived, and now I am starting to reconsider my military options. First my vision: 20/200 uncorrected, currenty 20/10 with contacts and stable. I've had consultations for both LASIK and PRK, and have been approved as a candidate for both. Career Resume: ATP, Multi, Inst, etc...1500 Turbine, 2000 Multi, part 121 experience. What is your guys' take on my chances? Do you have to know people to swing a flying spot somewhere? Does my previous flying disqualify me (ie-do they prefer to train ab initio?), and is it realistic to think that surgery will put me back in the running? Any direction would be much appreciated, I'd love to explore this option. Thanks!

 

[hawg2hawk]

Hey Guys, I am currently flying for a regional airline in FL. Like most of you, I've always wanted a military flying career, however my vision has restricted me thus far. I've noticed that some surgeries are being waived, and now I am starting to reconsider my military options. First my vision: 20/200 uncorrected, currenty 20/10 with contacts and stable. I've had consultations for both LASIK and PRK, and have been approved as a candidate for both. Career Resume: ATP, Multi, Inst, etc...1500 Turbine, 2000 Multi, part 121 experience. What is your guys' take on my chances? Do you have to know people to swing a flying spot somewhere? Does my previous flying disqualify me (ie-do they prefer to train ab initio?), and is it realistic to think that surgery will put me back in the running? Any direction would be much appreciated, I'd love to explore this option. Thanks!

1. Make sure whichever eye procedure you choose is approved by the branch of the military you intend to pursue.
2. Prior flying experience certainly wouldn't hurt you for selection, although I might choose to keep it quiet when you show up for your first day. You'll be the only guy in T-37's confident entering holding.
3. The biggest question given your experience is, how old are you? The AF cutoff is (I think) 27, with the guard waiverable up to age 30.

 

[Frisko]

PRK is the only one accepted right now, look into the waiver process for the specific service carefully BEFORE getting the surgery.
I was in a similar situation to yours, some units will like the flying experience, some won't. Best to just not bring it up till they ask.
Age requirements are 30 for Guard/Reserves/AF, 27 for Navy.
Most important thing is to get going on the surgery if you want to do it, you can't apply for the waiver required until 1 year post-op, (6 months for Navy).
The hardest part for me was taking the chance in getting the surgery done. I was worried about losing my FAA medical if something went wrong. The process to get your medical back turned out to be pretty simple, I got it back about 1 month after the surgery and was back to work the next week, but that was over a month without pay and a $3500 bill for the surgery.
Just depends how bad you want to do it. I can say that it was well worth it for me.

 

[KarmaPolice]

A load in my unit had this same issue this summer. He Had the approved surgery (done by the Air Force). To get into the front of the jet he had to get an "exception to policy" waiver, which had to be okay'd WAY up the chain. His waiver waiver didn't come through though. He would have had a better shot if there was a manning shortage in the career field.

My guess is that it is possible, but a long shot. Your best bet would be to find a Gaurd or Reserve unit who really wants you and is willing to go to bat for you with the paperwork. If you are in Florida then there are some 130 units around there, also, c-17s in Charleston, SC, Tankers in Georgia.

As far as the age issue, you need to finish UPT (53 weeks)by the time you are 30, and a Reserve unit can get a waiver for that too.

Best of Luck.

 

[Frisko]

My guess is there are some other politics involved with that situation if they were applying from within the unit (ie.. a shortage of loads)

I've known several people who have gotten the waiver and it shouldn't have to go any higher than the folks at Brooks.

The waiver process comes during the FC1 and can be done before even applying for the pilot spot from the civilian side.
From what I've been told by the people at Brooks is that as long as you meet the post-op requirements you will most likely get the waiver. I may be wrong, that's the first I've heard of someone getting denied if they met the post-op requirements.

Correction on the age also.. you need to be in UPT by your 30th B'Day, not finished with it.

 

[HueyPilot]

I had a friend of mine that went through UPT with me who was 31 when he started...he was the "old guy". Now he's flying 17s with the MSANG. So age is waiverable, but only to a point...plus, the example I used above involved a guy who was an FE for that unit for many years, so they knew him well.

 

[puttin4doh]

Thanks for the info, guys. It sounds like I should at least talk with someone in person about the opportunity. As for age, I recently turned 24. This should allow me time to get the procedure, post op, and fill out all the paperwork should it all pan out. Is the recruiting office a good place to get the ball rolling, or should I look into interviewing someone at a specific base for openings? Also, any word on LASIK acceptance, or is that wishful thinking? Thanks again for your time, everyone...

 

[HueyPilot]

You would have to contact the individual unit for best results.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Recruiters can occasionally be a good place to start, but your best bet is to do some research and find some numbers of Reserve or Guard units. www.baseops.net is a good place to start. It has an employment web page with a lot of hiring units. A Reserve unit would be highly interested in you with your flying experience.

If, for some crazy reason, you want to go active duty, a recruiter can help you get your package together.

Thanks Frisco for clearing that up. Although I can't imagine there being any unit politics holding the guy back. He had to go for an exception to policy letter which went all the way to Jumper.

Anyway, PM me if you want any tips or help on finding jobs in the Reserves or Guard.

 

[The_Russian]

Hope?

How realistic is this. I'm 24 and I am in the same situation as puttin4doh. My eyesight is 20/30 left and 20/20 right. A mild shade blindness caused by the difference in eyes. I know I should consult a doctor to see if I qualify for the surgery, but who do I talk to in the recruiting field? I don't want to tell them anything right? Just get the surgery then try to get a waiver like a shot in the dark?

 

[KarmaPolice]

No you should be up front about the surgery. After OTS, but prior to UPT, students go through Medical screening at Brooks in San Antonio where they check for PRK or other surgeries. It would be a real drag to go through the misery of OTS for nothing. Although you get a free pair of sweats and a nice hair cut.

I may be reading your post wrong, are you 20/30 corrected or uncorrected? I believe the mins are still uncorrected 20/50, corrected 20/20. I was nervous about it so I memorized the 20/20 letter groups just in case i could pick out only a few.

 

[The_Russian]

Uncorrected 20/30. But this is causing a mild color deficiency, or so my optomitrist says. So I can't pass the dot test unless it is corrected. Basically I need the PRK to adjust that. Glasses or contacts won't do.

Thanks for the info.

 

[chawbein]

The current vision limits are for 20/20 near vision, 20/70 distant. There is a waiver to be had for refractions all the way out from -3.00 to +3.00. The 20/XX is a seperate requirement from the refraction requirement (refraction being the amount of correction it takes for you to reach 20/20). Color blindness is a disqualifying condition. I'm not sure if there is a waiver for color deficiency, but without a waiver, there is only an ETP. ETP is Exception To Policy, and are very difficult to get without the backing of a wing. Even still, they are few and far between. There are very specific requirements for the AF to grant a waiver for PRK surgery. Here are the requirements for PRK:

http://www.brooks.af.mil/web/consult_service/opto_sect/files/prk/Memorandums/Aviation%20Policy%2002AUG00%20in%20sections/000802-PRK_Atch1_Applicants.pdf

As of right now an individual must ENTER UPT before their 30th birthday. There is a "waiver" around this, but it must be approved by the Air Force Chief of Staff. Very difficult unless you have a Guard/Reserve wing that is willing to push very hard for it.

Also, about getting surgery and not telling anybody.... Before you head off to UPT, you must go to Brooks AFB where they will create a detailed topographical map of your eye. Surgery will be very apparent, you can't even wear contacts for a month before the screening. When you fill out your medical history, you must check a box telling that you did/did not have eye surgery. If you lie on that form, you can be held accountable as that is a federal document. You can get in a heap of trouble.

 

[Frisko]

Russian-
Man with those types of numbers (20/30, 20/20) I'd try to get the FC1 done without getting the surgery first. A good way to do this would be through a Reserve recruiter as they need to have the FC1 in order to send your package to the board. Active duty sends you to MEPS and a Guard unit won't do it till after they select you.
There are waivers for almost anything and I'd exhaust your options before going down the long PRK road.
Have they told you that the surgery would cure this color deficiency?

 

[pilotyip]

Remember you are going into the service to be an officer, to serve at the pleasure of the President. You will not fly that much, and you will have tons of report writing, command inspections, and other administrative duties. 2500 hours in ten years is an average military flight time. I spent 11 years on active duty and got out with 2700 hours, 800 of that in a six month period flying around Vietnam. That means in the other 10 1/2 years I got 1900 hours. Do not go into the military with an expectation of flying only.

 

[Frisko]

Discouraging comment noted... but what does that have to do with the topic?