Pilot vs. Academy standards

mnolan

10-Year Member
5-Year Member
Joined
Jun 10, 2007
Messages
170
My daughter is soon to start her second year at the USCGA. She has decided that she would like to seek a pilot slot upon graduation. If that doesn't work out, she will attempt to get a slot later on in her career.

My question is this.....she needed a medical waiver to get into the Academy. Will she also need a waiver if she were selected for pilot training. And if so, is the waiver process different, more or less stringent, etc....

Thanks
 
Send me your posting; her full name and last 4 to Larry.Mullen@dodmerb.tma.osd.mil and I can assist U better from there. In her case, obviously the CG will make the determination, but once I see what we're looking at, I can provide a better assessment. Standing by....:thumb:
 
My daughter is soon to start her second year at the USCGA. She has decided that she would like to seek a pilot slot upon graduation. If that doesn't work out, she will attempt to get a slot later on in her career.

My question is this.....she needed a medical waiver to get into the Academy. Will she also need a waiver if she were selected for pilot training. And if so, is the waiver process different, more or less stringent, etc....

Thanks

The standards for military aviation are usually quite a bit stricter than for general accession standards. For the Coast Guard you can look at the requirements here:

Coast Guard Aviation Medicine Manual

If you have any specific questions after flipping through it let me know as most of the standards and procedures are very similar between the Navy and Coast Guard for aviation medicine. Anything that is mentioned in the manual as disqualifying means that the person would need a waiver and some waivers are easier to come by than others.
 
The standards for military aviation are usually quite a bit stricter than for general accession standards.

Generally speaking, would not a fully DoDMERB SA candidate at that time not also be most often fully qualified for military aviation?

Secondly, would not initial DoDMERB eyesight waivers account for the majority of those SA members unable to qualify for aviation barring any change while at the SA?
 
Mombee = The best way I can assist is: Send me your posting; her full name and last 4 to Larry.Mullen@dodmerb.tma.osd.mil and I can assist U better from there. In her case, obviously the CG will make the determination, but once I see what we're looking at, I can provide a better assessment. Standing by....
 
Generally speaking, would not a fully DoDMERB SA candidate at that time not also be most often fully qualified for military aviation?

Secondly, would not initial DoDMERB eyesight waivers account for the majority of those SA members unable to qualify for aviation barring any change while at the SA?

Unfortunately no to both. I'll speak for the Navy alone here since that is what I know best for aviation.

Although the physical standards are extensive for initial accession into the military it goes a step further for aviation. Things you wouldn't even consider being a problem can require a waiver for aviation: the most common one I see is Reflux needing medication such as Prilosec. Other things that are pretty common include a history of a kidney stone. Certain psychiatric conditions can also cause problems: for example eating disorders require a huge work-up for naval aviation.

As to the eyesight question: eyesight for pilot candidates is 20/40 in both eyes. Must also have depth perception. For accession the requirement is only correct to 20/20 and no greater than +/- 8.00 diopters. Because of this there is a huge pool of people who qualify for service, but not to be a pilot.
 
mombee - I'll assume you want to ask general questions and not get specific answers. If that works for you, great:thumb: But you've put KP2001, who's very experienced, in an awkward position trying to answer your questions, when those questions may not even be applicable. No harm, no foul. Just wanted you to be aware of that fact:thumb:
 
I'm stealing your thunder Mr. Mullen :smile:

Don't tell the CAPT on me :biggrin:
 
mombee - I'll assume you want to ask general questions and not get specific answers. If that works for you, great:thumb: But you've put KP2001, who's very experienced, in an awkward position trying to answer your questions, when those questions may not even be applicable. No harm, no foul. Just wanted you to be aware of that fact:thumb:

Many people come to these forums seeking general knowledge, either for themselves or to help others. Very little is gained when all they read is "send me the last four digets of your daughter's social". This is kp2001's line of work. I see no reason for him to be in an awkward position. I'm sure if he was, he would have said so and not have answered the question.
 
Last edited:
I have sent mombee a PM to explain the situation. Let's not make this a bigger issue than it is and derail the thread.

Now back to your regularly scheduled programming....
 
Rereading the thread, apparently MullenLE continued to think I was the OP, not a nosy interloper. Not a big deal. Thanks, kp, for clarifying my question. I know a lot of candidates, getting a clean bill of health from DoDMERB, barring eyesight issues, think they are cleared for P'cola. I would continue to venture that, for the vast majority, this is true.
 
With all due respect mombee, I had a similar response to Mr. Mullen. Its great that kp2001 is helping. I don't know him, but what I do know is that he is respectable and helpful.

Mr. Mullen is one of the best things that has ever happened to those of us who go through DoDMERB. If you want a straight, factual, and honest answer, he is your go-to man. He is the DoDMERB Bureaucrat Buster, he can speak to the waiver authorities, something very few can actually do. He, hands down, knows the medical scene of the Coast Guard and Armed Forces. He is always willing to help, and its a honor, truly. I, in my youthful arrogance and stupidity, argued with Mr. Mullen once, and it is one thing you learn to regret. He is the best source to learn the circumstances regarding YOUR medical case. While you may not get the answer you want, you get an answer nonetheless, which is good enough. Many wouldn't give you an answer, but Mr. Mullen faithfully helps those who seek assistance.
You should give him a chance, but if you don't, please speak to him respectfully, as I failed to do in the past.
MR. MULLEN FOR THE WIN! :thumb::thumb::thumb:
 
Last edited by a moderator:
All is well with the world:thumb::thumb:

I did NOT mean to cause consternation with anyone; just the opposite. But, I do need to clarify. I get emails, calls, letters, smoke signals, etc; on a daily basis from folks that received, from someone, a general answer to a general question. In turn, that answer, does NOT fit their specific circumstance and then they are disappointed, hurt, angry, etc. Hence, that’s why I usually answer the way I do.

I’ve been given the mission to monitor the Forums, which I can’t do during duty hours, because it is NOT endorsed by DoD---access at work is blocked. I have the authority and knowledge to give the specific answers to the specific questions that apply to specific people.

When folks wish to speak in generalities and use the Forums as the Social Network it was designed for, then I stand on the sidelines. There is NO better Social Network for this purpose, Bar None! But in the medical arena, we’re talking about a different issue here.

Each individual has a different issue when it comes to severity, frequency, effect on normal functioning , etc. Even when the issue is exactly the same, the results may be different based on when it occurred and which SA/ROTC program is involved.

mombee was 100% correct when she said “a lot of candidates” and “the vast majority.” KP2001 was 100% correct when he said “I'll speak for the Navy alone…;”Things you wouldn't even consider being a problem can require a waiver for aviation…;”eyesight for pilot candidates is 20/40 in both eyes (Larry add-on - but this is for the Navy).”

So, all is well with the world.:thumb::thumb: I appreciate mombee’s and KP 2001’s participation. If the originator of the thread, mnolan, still hasn’t figured out the CG Aviation Medical manual, KP 2001 said he stands by ready to assist. Kumbaya to all:thumb::thumb:
 
Beginning and end!

As the originator of this post, I am going to assume I can end this post as well!:smile:

I do obviously have specific information concerning my kid whom I will deal directly with Mr. Mullen at some point. My daughter had some medical issues getting into the academy a year ago and I wish you had been here at that time....it might have sped things up. We have had one billing problem since then, and direct communication with Mr. Mullen solved it quickly. Thanks!

As a newly minted Coast Guard Academy Admissions partner, I am always trying to learn as much as I can about things like this, because these kinds of questions always come up when talking to prospective cadets, therefore I was glad to have this matter discussed in generalities by KP and others as well.

Killed two birds with one stone here, and I have the information I need......thanks all!
 
I heard on the news today that thee is a debate going on within the military services on who should "fly" these UAVs. Currently, only very experienced pilots are offered the assignment, however there is a group that argues youngsters who are avid gamers would do a better job. That may be the case in the future but as of now, UAV pilots go through full flight training and log years worth of flight experience before flying the drones.
 
I heard on the news today that thee is a debate going on within the military services on who should "fly" these UAVs. Currently, only very experienced pilots are offered the assignment, however there is a group that argues youngsters who are avid gamers would do a better job. That may be the case in the future but as of now, UAV pilots go through full flight training and log years worth of flight experience before flying the drones.

Sorry...not so anymore.

Brand new graduates of UPT are being sent to UAS assignments. And the AF has already graduated two classes of "non rated" UAS pilots.

I'm thinking that in they not-to-distant-future you'll find UAS pilots from all avenues...rated, non-rated, etc.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
Those medical standards are being developed by the AF and will be applied by USAFA in a cadet's 3rd year. These will NOT be accession/admission standards:thumb:
 
Back
Top