Flight Physical Approved!
So to update my story, the Army docs who said they would approve my physical, wanted me to take a specific version of the FALANT color vision test called the OPTEC 900. This thing was hard to find, but I eventually found an FAA doctor with it, went there and passed it without problems. I actually thought this test was easier than the regular Farnsworth Lantern, but the flight doctors said it lets slightly fewer color anomalies pass.
After proving I could pass the OPTEC 900, I ended up going to a Naval Base and went through a whole new flying class I physical. I made sure they did both the PIP plates and the Farnsworth Lantern on me, both of which I passed. Since I did this with the navy, I asked them to submit it to both the army and navy.
It took almost 3 weeks before they even submitted it to the Army. Once submitted, a week later I was notified that it was coded as incomplete. I had to request the physical from the records department to find out which things were considered incomplete. So I called my local flight medicine department at my USAF base, to see if they could accomplish the incomplete portions of the physical. They agreed and said they could finish it up without a problem.
So I show up for my appointment to finish up tests for the flight physical, and give the list of missing tests to the technician who was going to be working with me. He takes the list back into the office, while I sit and wait about 45 mins, then he comes out and tells me they can do all the tests except for: measuring my total armspan, and leg length. I showed him directions on how to perform the measurements which were given to me by my army contact.
I ended up speaking with the flight doc, and he said that since these measurements were not in the USAF regulations, that they could not perform them. I was mad as hell and argued with him a bit before I gave up.
So in short, I was able to get in touch with the naval base who had completed my physical, and they were able to get me all the information I needed to complete the flight physical other than a "Read aloud test" and some blood work. The USAF doctors agreed to give me the "Read aloud test" and said my blood work was in the system. So I go back to the USAF doctor, complete the "read aloud test", and get a printout of my blood work which had previously been done. One of the three blood test results that I needed was missing. The woman I was working with said she could see it in the system, but didn't have the permissions on the computer to see or print the results. She said I would have to fill out a form and wait a few days for them to mail the results in. Quite frustrated again, I called the navy clinic once more, and they were able to get me the results of the test via a fax.
That evening I submitted all the updated physical paperwork to the Army via email; the next morning my Army contact had approved it! He said he prioritized it since I seemed motivated. I got a copy of it sent back to me with a big stamp "Qualified" on the front!
So I'm not sure where the Navy physical submitted to NAMI stands, but it still seems like the Navy doesn't have any open spots for inter-service transfers into pilot training. So I'm going to press on with the plan to go Army National Guard.
Dude, what a pain in the ass and too bad there are no Navy slots. Hey, you can always switch over if that is your desire but my guess is once you start flying for the Army, most likely you'll be content. The AF is a bit ridiculous as to their CV standards but it is what it is. I've taken the OPTEC 900 as well, I think its shell is white or off-white? I thought that the colors were more distinct while the Falant colors always seemed more faded.