Letter from head of NAMI Opthamology

[reapergm]

Ok guys. Since you all know I am going under the laser on Tues, I wanted written confirmation that PRK was good. So here it is.. This is the copy of the email from the Head of the NAMI eye department. doesnt mean you are in, or that you will get the waiver, but it does mean it is still being given!


First my email-
Sir,
My Name is Gavin M. I am an applicant for the Marine Corps Officer Candidate School. After the lack of availability for NFO's, I have decided that I would like to get the PRK eye surgery. I would love to have an opportunity to become an aviator. I have spoken to a few student Navy pilots who have had the operation, gotten waivers, and had great success. My Officer Selection Officer is nervous that the PRK is no longer being waivered. I was given your email by Mary Buckles from the NAMI website. She told me that as far as she knows, PRK is still being waivered for applicants of both the Navy and Marine Corps. She told me to email you for confirmation.
I have an appointment to have PRK on Tuesday, November 25th at 12pm. I am excited, and nervous. I just want to make sure that I don't ruin any chances for the future application. Thank you so much for your time sir. Sincerely, Gavin J M

Now his reply -
Mr. M,

I understand that you are disqualified now, so you have no chance to be a student naval aviator without PRK, correct?

Your SNA applicant physical exam will be submitted to NAMI no sooner than three months following surgery and, if you meet the eligibility requirements for any Navy PRK Aviation Accession Study at that time, you will be recommended for waiver for history of PRK. Of course, you must be otherwise physically qualified and meet all other requirements and so on.

Medical waiver for history of PRK is not a guarantee that you will be selected for pilot training, nor complete pilot training to winging, nor fly your choice of aircraft in the fleet. It does however remove one physical disqualification from beginning the process of applying.

Your OSO is kept up-to-date of all policy changes by message and other means. I am not aware of any notification that PRK is not being recommended for waiver for SNA nor SNFOs.

Sincerely,
CAPT W A, MC, USN (FS)
Clinical Director
Head, Eye Department
Naval Aerospace Medical Institute

 

[jlinscott]

Good info but you should probably delete out his information (Name, phone number, etc)

 

[texag02]

good to go then! having had the surgery, dont be nervous, and dont be afraid to juice up on the pain meds. i was slightly strapped for cash at the time and decided i didnt want to spend money on the pain meds (figured they'd be 80, 90 bucks). went ahead and got them first thing the next morning...best $10 i've ever spent! keep your eyes wet (they'll give you drops) - one thing they never mentioned to me until about two weeks post-op was that when your eyes water its because they want water...so water them. i just kinda figured as long as they're watering i was fine cause they were staying wet...not so much the case.

 

[Sins]

That is good news!

Maybe you want to edit out your name though.

 

[EA-6B1]

Hey Reaper, it's Prowler, good luck on tuesday. That's awesome news for anyone that is considering PRK (like myself). Good Luck.

 

[ben]

Originally posted by jlinscott
Good info but you should probably delete out his information (Name, phone number, etc)

Look towards the bottom of the AirWarriors home page. It says,
"In addition, you may get an email or a phone call from a third party in the military that you want to share with other forum members. DON'T POST THEIR NAME, PHONE NUMBER, OR ANY IDENTIFYING INFORMATION WITHOUT THEIR CONSENT."

I'm not trying to be an ass but I'm sure this guy doesn't want tons of phone calls/emails from SNA/SNFO hopefuls. I'd be pissed if I were him. Take his personal info out of your post.

 

[reapergm]

No,shoot, you are right bcgeib. Good call. Thats not good. I just copied and pasted, didnt really think about that. I dont care so much about my name, its been on my profile, but you are right, I shouldnt have posted his name. Its now edited. Either way, I hope people dont go calling him like mad, I hope this answers some peoples questions. I know it answered mine. Im pumped!! I cant wait!!! Ill let you guys know how it goes.

 

[ben]

Thanks, I'm sure he appreciates it. There was another post where someone said they called the head guy at NOMI and he asked how the kid got his phone number. Hopefully that's the only phone call...

Your profile says something about motorcycles- Be careful, I just totaled mine a couple weeks ago. You can't win in a collision with a 3500lb car. Don't try it.

 

[reapergm]

Did you really? You are ok I presume.? I have an older model GSX-R 750 Suzuki. Its quick. I havent actually ridden it in months. Too scared about getting injured. Where did you read that a kid posted? Hey guys, if you got the # I posted, dont call him. Thanks. -G

 

[wildflyin69]

Yeah, that might have been me. The guy at NOMI was suprised at how I got his number. But it was right there on the NOMI website, there was a directory with all the numbers...I just figured if I found it that way it was public knowledge.

 

[webmaster]

Thanks guys, John

 

[ben]

Originally posted by reapergm
Did you really? You are ok I presume.? I have an older model GSX-R 750 Suzuki. Its quick. I havent actually ridden it in months. Too scared about getting injured. Where did you read that a kid posted? Hey guys, if you got the # I posted, dont call him. Thanks. -G

Yes, I came out pretty blessed as far as injuries go - no broken bones, and the helmet took the blow instead of my skull. I came out with a badly sprained ankle (healing nicely so far) and some internal bleeding. Just so you know, internal bleeding SUCKS. It was by far the most painful experience I have ever had. However, the pain did make it easy to decide that I didn't need a motorcycle anymore. I used to ride a 2003 Victory Vegas. Check it out at www.victory-usa.com if you're interested. It wasn't as fast on the top end as a street bike, but off the line my bike kicked butt. I miss riding but I know that I won't be taking that kind of a chance again. Maybe a dirt bike but never again will I ride in traffic.



If the NOMI guy has his contact info posted on a public website then that's cool. I just didn't want the AW site to get a bad reputation about posting stuff that we shouldn't.

 

[reapergm]

Man, you are one lucky SOB. Yeah man.. theyre crazy machines. Fun as all hell... but deadly. The original owner of my bike got a new Yamaha R1, died... another kid I know lost control on the highway and lost his left arm. I dont want to chance it either. Im done and looking to sell my bike. And no, I love this site, I dont want to kill it over something stupid. I hope Im not that guy.