The Doctor is in! Ask a Flight Surgeon!

[Cooperd0g]

There is a clock that starts ticking when you check into your training squadron. It doesn’t stop.

If you go over the max allowed days - there are 3 tiers, if i recall correctly - the commodore is directed to attrite you.

@squorch2 is correct. There is a guy who was attrited from VT-86 last year because he broke his collar bone for the second time while in training. Your job as a SNA or SNFO is to train. If you can't train in the prescribed time frame they will boot you. That is the current environment regardless of how it was years ago or how it may be years in the future. The training command is fluid; they change required NSS, number of down/SODs/Pink Sheets, need to graduate numbers, etc. all the time. It isn't fair, but it is the reality.

 

[Cooperd0g]

Hey guys,

I just got back from my LASIK pre-op, and my optometrist said the surgery should go very well with my eyes. However, we also talked about whether or not my CHRPE would be a DQ on site since the Navy doesn't mess around when it comes to eye health. She recommended the retina specialist I visited to write a letter for MEPS/NAMI explaining that it's totally benign and that it hasn't changed at all since 2013.

Anyone have any experience with this condition and know whether or not it's waiverable? I can't find anything online about it unfortunately.

I do not have experience with it and it is not specifically addressed in the waiver guide. It would be important to know if it increases the risk of retinal detachment, dispersion syndrome, hyper pigmentation, retinal degeneration and retinal holes as those things would be disqualifying and only some may be waiverable.

The article you linked addressed FAP as well. Do you have FAP? That would not be conducive to service let alone aviation.

 

[Scimitarze]

I do not have experience with it and it is not specifically addressed in the waiver guide. It would be important to know if it increases the risk of retinal detachment, dispersion syndrome, hyper pigmentation, retinal degeneration and retinal holes as those things would be disqualifying and only some may be waiverable.

The article you linked addressed FAP as well. Do you have FAP? That would not be conducive to service let alone aviation.

Thanks for the reply. I doubt I have FAP since it sounds like something that would have already been brought up by now by either my eye doctor, retina specialist I saw, or GP, especially since we've been tracking it since 2013. As far as the effects go, I've been told the overall health of my retinas are fine, and the retina specialist said I shouldn't worry about it when I saw him a few years ago.

I imagine MEPS/NAMI will see it and start immediately asking questions since it's apparently not too common, and thought a letter explaining it might help in that regard.

 

[squorch2]

MPTS has details on time to train limits - it’s in the first section with all the words.

 

[FFlEmwlo27]

Does anyone know typically how long it takes to receive your finished flight physical after a NAMI visit as an applicant? I was DQ for vision but thought I’d receive the paperwork by now. It’s been over 3 weeks. If something else was wrong I’d be alerted correct?

 

[rymo96]

Does anyone know typically how long it takes to receive your finished flight physical after a NAMI visit as an applicant? I was DQ for vision but thought I’d receive the paperwork by now. It’s been over 3 weeks. If something else was wrong I’d be alerted correct?

Were you DQ'ed for vision at MEPS or NAMI?

 

[FFlEmwlo27]

Were you DQ'ed for vision at MEPS or NAMI?

NAMI.

 

[Cooperd0g]

The formal process of finishing the paperwork takes a little while, longer for people who need waivers or are DQ’d. However, you can give them a call and ask.

 

[FFlEmwlo27]

The formal process of finishing the paperwork takes a little while, longer for people who need waivers or are DQ’d. However, you can give them a call and ask.

Thank you.

 

[papacarter]

At MEPS and OCS, are you allowed to wear glasses for the depth perception test (AFVT)? Saw both corrected/uncorrected slots on the medical papers at MEPS for DP, but didn't know which one the doctors look at (doesn't say on the NAMI standards)

 

[Cooperd0g]

At MEPS and OCS, are you allowed to wear glasses for the depth perception test (AFVT)? Saw both corrected/uncorrected slots on the medical papers at MEPS for DP, but didn't know which one the doctors look at (doesn't say on the NAMI standards)

Yes, if you need corrective lenses then you get to wear them for the rest of the tests.

 

[Deleted member 72085]

Could someone help me understand the Aeromedical Reference and Waiver Guide with regards to my condition?

I saw in the Urology section that "Atrophic Kidney" was mentioned under Congenital Abnormalities of the Kidneys, ICD-10 code Q60. I had bladder corrective surgery when I was 4 but my right kidney is atrophic (about 1/3 the size of my left). I have had no complications from the surgery, I am 25 now. My right kidney is functioning normally relative to its size. Is this something I should be worried about or an easy waiver? Will bringing in the necessary information from my doctor suffice?

Applying SNFO if that matters.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

Could someone help me understand the Aeromedical Reference and Waiver Guide with regards to my condition?

I saw in the Urology section that "Atrophic Kidney" was mentioned under Congenital Abnormalities of the Kidneys, ICD-10 code Q60. I had bladder corrective surgery when I was 4 but my right kidney is atrophic (about 1/3 the size of my left). I have had no complications from the surgery, I am 25 now. My right kidney is functioning normally relative to its size. Is this something I should be worried about or an easy waiver? Will bringing in the necessary information from my doctor suffice?

Applying SNFO if that matters.

To come into the USN you need to see what the Navy Medical Manual says to see if you are qualified for enlistment.

 

[Deleted member 72085]

To come into the USN you need to see what the Navy Medical Manual says to see if you are qualified for enlistment.

So looking through, Atrophy as related to the kidney is not mentioned. So would I not need a waiver for this? I am just confused due to it being briefly mentioned in the Aeromedical Reference and Waiver Guide.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

So looking through, Atrophy as related to the kidney is not mentioned. So would I not need a waiver for this? I am just confused due to it being briefly mentioned in the Aeromedical Reference and Waiver Guide.

There are conditions mentioned, then there are conditions covered under "other", the best thing you can do is get the documents together and let your OR run with it, my concern if I was your OR would be that you said the kidney is "functioning normally to its size", to me this does not equate to a "normal functioning kidney" which would raise lots of red flags.