The Doctor is in! Ask a Flight Surgeon!

[Flash]

Hey guys, i’m having some neck issues,tightness, etc sometimes causing me dizziness. I was planning on going to a chiropractor to see if they can help. Does anyone know if those records can be accessed by Nami?

Please go to a real doc and not a chiropractor quack.

 

[BradL17]

SNA currently in CandiO phase at OCS. I have two waivers, one for Cardiology and one for Behavioral Health. The cardiology waiver is for a history of palpitations and chest tightness in 2021 when I was an idiot and decided to take 2 scoops of pre workout before lifting. I didn’t go to the ER or anything, I just told my parents that my heart felt weird and they insisted I go to the doctor to be safe. My PCP referred me to cardiology and I did an EKG, holter monitor, and echo. Everything came back unremarkable except for some occasional asymptomatic PVCs, mild mitral valve regurgitation, and evidence of 1st and 2nd degree (Mobitz Type 1) AV blocks. It was noted by the cardiologist that the AV blocks were likely due to me being an athlete my whole life and the vagal tone of my heart. He was not concerned and did not recommend any treatment.

However, they noticed my blood pressure was high 140/90+ each time I came in for a visit so they did end up putting me on BP meds. I took these for about 2.5 years and now I’ve been off meds since Feb of 2024. Just needed to make some lifestyle changes and my BP has been under 140/90 since.

Fast forward to today, I had the same tests done while I am here at OCS and everything came back normal. The cardiologist noted that any conduction delays during the holter monitor were only occurring during sleep when my heart rate would drop to like 48 BPM avg. There were also pauses during my sleep with the longest pause being 2.49 sec (200 pauses total over 2 sec during a 48hr period). Echo came back great and there were no signs on mitral valve regurgitation, only trace signs of regurgitation on my tricuspid and pulmonic valves. Also did a stress test and everything came back normal. All 3-4 EKG’s I’ve had done here have come back normal.

My behavioral health waiver is for generalized anxiety. I went to my PCP back in 2022 for an annual check up and she asked how I was feeling. I told her I was feeling a little stressed after moving to a new city and starting a new position at my job. Long story short she prescribed me meds and I took them for 9 months and then stopped completely. The BH specialists I’ve seen here recommended me for worldwide deployment and all aviation duties.

Posting here to get some insight from anyone, preferably a current or ex flight doc on how likely it is I’ll receive waivers. I’ve been a lurker for a long time so I understand the NAMI process for the most part, just want to set some realistic expectations for myself and hopefully help anyone else going through a similar situation. My package is getting sent to NAMI within the next week or two. Preparing for the worst, praying for the best!

Lastly, according to my actual flight physical notes everything was listed as CD WR. They are going to submit to AERO as NPQ/AA DIACA SNA WR. No idea what DIACA means.

Just got cleared today!

 

[ChillBeast69]

Just got cleared today!

Congrats man! Must be a relief.

 

[Gymrat512]

Good evening. I am a senior at a University in Florida with a 3.9 GPA in Sociology. Over the past year I have fallen in love with flying and am looking to join the military after college. I am currently working towards my PPL but am not sure. I have talked to some Officer recruiters from the Navy and Marine Corps at job fairs. I have also done research on all the branches but am struggling to develop a solid plan for after graduation. I am not sure with what branch to go with. A concern I have is regarding my medical record. For starters, I wear glasses. The Marine Corps recruiter said I may need PRK. I previously enlisted in the Coast Guard and needed waivers for an adjustment disorder and ideation from a singular incident that was from almost 6 years ago. I was also medically discharged from the Coast Guard with an RE-3 for adjustment disorder. I was told these are easy waivers, but I was concerned about the NAMI flight physical at flight school. I know I should take one thing at a time, but I am concerned I get through everything and these issues prevent me from getting through flight school.

 

[ChillBeast69]

Good evening. I am a senior at a University in Florida with a 3.9 GPA in Sociology. Over the past year I have fallen in love with flying and am looking to join the military after college. I am currently working towards my PPL but am not sure. I have talked to some Officer recruiters from the Navy and Marine Corps at job fairs. I have also done research on all the branches but am struggling to develop a solid plan for after graduation. I am not sure with what branch to go with. A concern I have is regarding my medical record. For starters, I wear glasses. The Marine Corps recruiter said I may need PRK. I previously enlisted in the Coast Guard and needed waivers for an adjustment disorder and ideation from a singular incident that was from almost 6 years ago. I was also medically discharged from the Coast Guard with an RE-3 for adjustment disorder. I was told these are easy waivers, but I was concerned about the NAMI flight physical at flight school. I know I should take one thing at a time, but I am concerned I get through everything and these issues prevent me from getting through flight school.

You get Nami physical at OCS and then again in pensacola from what I understand. As far as I know if you fail flight physical at OCS you can leave the Navy all together or re-designate to a different job like SWO, Intel, etc. Look up the nami waiver guide and see if your eyesight is acceptable or waiverable? I believe over a certain threshold you would need to get PRK or Lasik. I’m sure other people can back me up or correct me.

 

[Mouselovr]

For starters, I wear glasses. The Marine Corps recruiter said I may need PRK.

https://www.airwarriors.com/community/threads/the-eyes-have-it-all-things-vision-related.8968/
This forum has a lot on eye requirements/LASIK experiences.
See the NAMI waiver guide for the published eye standards. Lasik/prk waivers are really easy. If your eyes are less than 20/20 but within standards, you can wear corrective lenses in the cockpit and skip surgery.

I previously enlisted in the Coast Guard and needed waivers for an adjustment disorder and ideation from a singular incident that was from almost 6 years ago. I was also medically discharged from the Coast Guard with an RE-3 for adjustment disorder. I was told these are easy waivers, but I was concerned about the NAMI flight physical at flight school.

https://www.med.navy.mil/Portals/62...MI/ARWG/Waiver Guide/AWRG COMPLETE_231227.pdf
p.309
Adjustment disorder can be waivered as long as you can demonstrate the factors that affected you are now resolved.