Final Select Problem

[sundevil_av8r]

It has been about 5 weeks since I went to MEPS and sent in my paperwork for a final select SNA BDCP. I applied for the SCL waiver and gave them all of the requested paperwork. My vision is 20/200 in both eyes with no other abnormalities and have been stabilized for years. I got a message from my recruiter saying that I was not qualified for a pilot position because "my vision was out of the standards for naval aviation." Per the NOMI website, I am within all of the requirements and have been to the optometrist several times within the past few months to verify that. My question is... since the SCL and 20/400 vision requirement changes are fairly new, is there a possibility that there is a delay between getting that info from NOMI to whoever sings off on the final selects? I would assume that the government would be on top of those things but they fall short in several other instances so I am hoping some of you have some insight on why my final select would be disapproved when NOMI regs and several optomologists say that I am ok. I wont have a chance to speak with my recruiter until Tuesday due to the holiday and hope I can have some ammo when I do. Thanks.

 

[joboy_2.0]

It has been about 5 weeks since I went to MEPS and sent in my paperwork for a final select SNA BDCP. I applied for the SCL waiver and gave them all of the requested paperwork. My vision is 20/200 in both eyes with no other abnormalities and have been stabilized for years. I got a message from my recruiter saying that I was not qualified for a pilot position because "my vision was out of the standards for naval aviation." Per the NOMI website, I am within all of the requirements and have been to the optometrist several times within the past few months to verify that. My question is... since the SCL and 20/400 vision requirement changes are fairly new, is there a possibility that there is a delay between getting that info from NOMI to whoever sings off on the final selects? I would assume that the government would be on top of those things but they fall short in several other instances so I am hoping some of you have some insight on why my final select would be disapproved when NOMI regs and several optomologists say that I am ok. I wont have a chance to speak with my recruiter until Tuesday due to the holiday and hope I can have some ammo when I do. Thanks.

Check the thread called vision confirmed for SNA. I believe it was said that the SCL policy was only applicable for lateral transfers and that type of thing, not for civvy applications for SNA. Contact your recruiter and ask what happened. If he knew you would be NPQ, I don't know why he would even put your application in.

 

[sundevil_av8r]

yeah, but NOMI's website does not mention that the waiver is only for lateral transfers. it only says SNA applicants, which in my mind covers all forms of commissioning.

 

[zippy]

yeah, but NOMI's website does not mention that the waiver is only for lateral transfers. it only says SNA applicants, which in my mind covers all forms of commissioning.

General rule of thumb, if it makes sense in your mind, it probably doesn't work that way in the Navy...

You may want to look into PRK even though the SCL waiver is new and allegdly approved, PRK is tried and tested method that the Navy accepts on a regular basis... why try to be a pathfinder through the buracracy when a cleared path already exists?

 

[sundevil_av8r]

true. i just figured this way would be easier because i was told that although it is titled a SCL Waiver, it actually isn't a waiver and PRK is a waiver. and i didnt want to wait 3 months. will they hold my pro rec for 3 months until my PRK is sqaured up?

 

[Bernie Kosar]

If you look at the current waiver guide, I get the impression that the SCL waiver, for SNA applicants, will not be around much longer. It says that the SCL waiver is being evaluated and may be altered or deleted in the future (this is at the beginning of the SCL section in bold). Aside from the wait, I don't see how PRK would be a problem though (assuming you are not pushing the age limit and that you meet the refractive errors requirements). I had PRK done and I am currently waiting for a response on the waiver. You will get use to the wait after awhile, the entire process for me (the first day I contacted a recruiter until now) has taken a year so far. The wait is grueling, but just don't lose track of the reality that you will probably have the opportunity to become a Naval Aviator.


A link to the current waiver guide is as follows: http://www.nomi.med.navy.mil/NAMI/WaiverGuideTopics/pdfs/Waiver%20Guide%20-%20Ophthalmology.pdf.

 

[Bernie Kosar]

It might be beneficial to contact NOMI and determine what would happen to someone who was granted the SCL waiver and then, in the future, the SCL waiver was no longer acceptable. I’m also thinking of other guys who may be considering the SCL waiver route.

 

[sundevil_av8r]

yeah i saw that in the waiver guide too. but when i applied it did not say that. i would actually prefer prk but was under the impression that the scl waiver would be easier. i guess i was wrong. now back to my other question... i wonder if they will hold my pro rec while they wait three months for my post surgery exam?

 

[zippy]

yeah i saw that in the waiver guide too. but when i applied it did not say that. i would actually prefer prk but was under the impression that the scl waiver would be easier. i guess i was wrong. now back to my other question... i wonder if they will hold my pro rec while they wait three months for my post surgery exam?

You should probably ask the recruiter you are working with this question.