I have been selected for BDCP SNA for OCS, and I passed the MEPS physical fine with 20/25-20/30, but when I got the flight physical at NAS Atlanta (for peace of mind), they had me do an ophthalmology consult, and they told me that my astigmatism (Cylinder), was 3.00 diopters, which is over the SNA standard as I understand it. PRK should fix this under the standart according to another consultation that I have had, but I graduate from school in May and since I will be on BDCP after I swear in, they'll want me to class up pretty soon after. The problem is that as far as I understand, the PRK waiver takes six months after the procedure, which will be after they want me in Newport. Can I got to OCS as SNA without the waiver yet and get it shortly after I graduate (but before API) without any holdup, or getting switched to SNFO or something like that?
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OCS PRK Waiver Question
- Thread starter hanletj
- Start date
Why not get PRK now?
According to the waiver guide, you could apply for the waiver 3 months after surgery.
At this point I think I can, but the waiver may not be processed by the time I get there. What I'm trying to figure out is not whether or not I need it or can get it, but when is the best time to get it and what is the best way to handle it. That being said, that's probably what I'll end up doing. I've been trying to get someone to give me a straight answer on this but nobody at NAMI seems to like picking up their phones, and they seem to have developed this habit by imitating the people at OCS. Also, why would they select me for pilot knowing that something like this could come up? I don't understand why they don't administer a flight physical before the selection process. If that were the case, I could have handled this months ago, and avoided this issue altogether.
You might want to start with a second opinion on your astigmatism (although you seem to be way out of limits). Assuming that you need to get PRK, I don't really see any other time to do it. If you show up at OCS with the problem, I assume you will just be redesignated to NFO and it will be over.
Do you have a recruiter of POC through the BDCP program? That seems like the most logical place to start. If you already have a pilot slot, they may be flexible with you on getting the surgery and possibly with OCS start times. If you had the surgery by mid-March, you could submit the waiver by mid-June and have the approval by mid-July. If you do end up getting the surgery, I would definitely try to put off OCS until you have at least submitted the waiver; it can be a bit of a hassle, and you don't want to be worrying about that while trying to survive the first few weeks of OCS.
One final thing to consider: As someone who has taken money from the Navy through BDCP, you are obligated regardless of whether or not you get the pilot slot. Right now, you are guaranteed an NFO slot. If you have the surgery and something goes wrong, you could lose that as well and end up doing something outside of aviation. That being said, and even though I am the vicitim of a botched eye surgery, I would probably get the surgery. Just make sure you are going with a reputable surgeon. In the Atlanta area, you might want to check out the Emory Eye Center http://www.eyecenter.emory.edu/
Do you have a recruiter of POC through the BDCP program? That seems like the most logical place to start. If you already have a pilot slot, they may be flexible with you on getting the surgery and possibly with OCS start times. If you had the surgery by mid-March, you could submit the waiver by mid-June and have the approval by mid-July. If you do end up getting the surgery, I would definitely try to put off OCS until you have at least submitted the waiver; it can be a bit of a hassle, and you don't want to be worrying about that while trying to survive the first few weeks of OCS.
One final thing to consider: As someone who has taken money from the Navy through BDCP, you are obligated regardless of whether or not you get the pilot slot. Right now, you are guaranteed an NFO slot. If you have the surgery and something goes wrong, you could lose that as well and end up doing something outside of aviation. That being said, and even though I am the vicitim of a botched eye surgery, I would probably get the surgery. Just make sure you are going with a reputable surgeon. In the Atlanta area, you might want to check out the Emory Eye Center http://www.eyecenter.emory.edu/
I actually finally got the info from OCS. She pretty much said exactly what you just did. The recruiter didn't know much, he has never had a pilot candidate before and to his credit, seems to have a completely clueless superior that keeps giving him bad information.
The issue now is that since I will get BDCP, I can't really get my class date pushed back, so I'll have to have the waiver only applied for when I report to OCS. The admin lady, which will be confirming this with the CO before I sign anything, said this happens occasionally, and basically they could work with me until the waiver is cleared.
I did get a second/third opinion with almost identical results both times. When I get the surgery they will do that examination again too. As far as surgeons go, I have heard of the Emory Eye Center. I am only about 2 hours from Atlanta, so that would definately be a place to consider. Do you know of anyone who has gone through there with a positive outcome? Also, and I hate to ask, but if you did your "botched" surgery in the Atlanta area, which one did you go to? I ask this only to avoid a bad surgeon, nothing more.
I definately appreciate your response, you have been very helpful.
The issue now is that since I will get BDCP, I can't really get my class date pushed back, so I'll have to have the waiver only applied for when I report to OCS. The admin lady, which will be confirming this with the CO before I sign anything, said this happens occasionally, and basically they could work with me until the waiver is cleared.
I did get a second/third opinion with almost identical results both times. When I get the surgery they will do that examination again too. As far as surgeons go, I have heard of the Emory Eye Center. I am only about 2 hours from Atlanta, so that would definately be a place to consider. Do you know of anyone who has gone through there with a positive outcome? Also, and I hate to ask, but if you did your "botched" surgery in the Atlanta area, which one did you go to? I ask this only to avoid a bad surgeon, nothing more.
I definately appreciate your response, you have been very helpful.
Don't know anyone who has been to Emory, I've just come across the name several times while doing research. I didn't get my surgery in the Atlanta area, so I can't help you there. Just a couple suggestions: First, when talking to surgeons, ask if they have treated people with your specific condition. Your situation is a bit unique; I doubt there are many people who have 20/25 getting surgery. Second, make sure they measure your pupil size and (if it's larger than normal) use a laser that can accomodate it.
I am sure there are some good surgeons in Birmingham. In fact, when I was in Meridian going through my eye problems, they sent me to a clinic in B-ham. Can't remember the name, although I could probably dig it our of my medical records if you're interested.
I am sure there are some good surgeons in Birmingham. In fact, when I was in Meridian going through my eye problems, they sent me to a clinic in B-ham. Can't remember the name, although I could probably dig it our of my medical records if you're interested.
Emory came up in my personal inquiries as well, B-ham is actually almost equidistant from Auburn, so there's no advantage. I have a consult in a couple of weeks. I ended up working it out with the recruiter, I just had to give up the BDCP to postpone my class date until I got the waiver. Sucks that I don't get the money, but I can be a bit more confident that I will remain SNA, plus I don't have as much of an obligation if OCS doesn't work out. Anyways, thanks for the help.
Short answer - no. You'll need to have the PRK taken care of, heal for a minimum of three months, get checked again by MEPS (just the eyes), and then they will submit a recommendation for a waiver. The actual waiver will not be submitted/approved until you get your full flight physical at OCS or Pre-API (A-Pool). Sounds like BDCP is a no-go for you.
As for getting switched to NFO, they won't arbitrarily switch you. They may NPQ you for your eyes and say "have fun in the civilian world," or offer you a different job, or tell you to find a different job in the Navy, but this is all stuff that could happen during or after OCS.
My advice - If you want it bad enough, go get it. I was in a similar situation a few years ago, had PRK and now I'm in the training pipeline for pilot. If you can't go BDCP (which is the best deal in the Navy, BTW), apply straight for OCS. It may take you some time to get everything in order, but patience is a virtue.
Good Luck!