I would appreciate advice for my C1C regarding pilot training!

B

batmom

5-Year Member
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Dec 31, 2011
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My son (like many of your sons and daughters) has dreamt of becoming a pilot one day. Everything seemed to be going well, but the Academy optometrists assured our C1C that he did not need PRK surgery because his vision was acceptable in each eye (20/40 in one eye and 20/70 in the other eye) and even though he asked many times to undergo PRK surgery to correct his vision, he was denied.
Then, in late Aug. he received a call from a military doctor stating that a BIG mistake had been made and his eyes would not qualify him to fly. So, they re-examined him and contacted his optometrist from near our home and finally decided to do his surgery in late November. Now, they need a 6 month recovery post-surgery before they will give him the medical clearance to fly. So...he is somewhat STUCK right now, and would still love to obtain his cherished pilot slot. Currently he is being sent to CSO (Combat Systems Officer) Training in Florida. Does anyone have suggestions on whom he can speak to about taking a job temporarily at the academy until he can get into flight school????
Any ideas and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
 
He needs to discuss this with his chain of command at the Academy and keep on it until he has answers. If he had the surgery in late November, then by my math his 6 months would be up right around graduation time. Since he will probably use his 60 days leave and not head right to Pensacola after graduation, there will be a time that he can get his initial post-op exams done. He will need to advocate for himself through all of this and keep following up with the personnel people. It may take some time, so he should be prepared to do what he is told. Just another comment - my son had the PRK done at the Academy also, but he had a 12-month wait to get clearance for a flight slot. It may have changed, but make sure your son has the correct information when planning this out. One of my son's classmates was in a similar situation to your son but he headed to AFIT after graduation then did a 3-year stint as a procurement officer, and then was finally granted a waiver and his pilot slot 4 years after graduating. Even if your son continues on the CSO track, there are opportunities for CSOs to cross over to a pilot slot. Good luck and keep us posted.

Stealth_81
 
He had surgery for 20/70 vision? He could have just got a waiver...
Mine was 20/200 when I got a waiver.

Yeah, he'll need to keep talking with flight docs until things are settled. It sounds to me like his doc gave him some really poorly timed advice.
 
Thank you for all of the advice. I will be copying the suggestions and forwarding them to him and will keep you posted about what happens.
Thank you all for helping with your words of wisdom! It is so very appreciated by me and all of the others who have been so helped by the people on this forum.
 
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