AFROTC DODMERB and Rated Question

J

jason6213

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Feb 6, 2019
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Hello all,

Longtime lurker, first time poster. I recently was about to sign off on my DoDMERB counseling with my Det’s personnnel NCO, but when he read off the details of my DoDMERB qualification, a few things came at me as a surprise.

Firstly, I do not qualify for pilot due to sitting height. I never once worried about this, nor considered it since I hold a PPL with about 100 hours. I guess I was always more worried about I sit at 33” as a 5’6” male (about 150 lbs too if that matters). I do not qualify for CSO due to refraction issues, which also came as a huge surprise to me since I thought I for sure qualified for a FC1A physical at least. I know that I’ll have to undergo PRK to correct my vision at some point, but DoDMERB says otherwise for me, at least for CSO and sitting height for pilot. This is very confusing, and I can’t get a straight answer from my Det other than “we’ll look into waivers when the time is right.” I understand that I’m not exactly a priority right now as an AS100, but I just have a few questions about this.

What is the timeline for this process? Do you request a waiver before going for a rated board or does the Air Force use a couple-year-old DoDMERB exam for determining eligibility for a rated application? I know you go to WPAFB for the flying physicals, so why does DoDMERB say what you can/can’t do now as a young cadet? What happens when you apply for a rated slot with DoDMERB saying you don’t qualify for certain rated careers? This information unfortunately isn’t readily availability to me, or either just conflicting and confusing (as I’ve read on previous threads) for a 100-level cadet like me to understand.

Thank you for your time
 
If you apply for a rated spot and you are not qualified for it, then you will be reclassified into something else.

Other rated slots to keep in mind: ABM, RPA.

You can also look at LASIK-- not just limited to PRK.

DODMERB will form part of your screening. Flight physical is another part. Just because DODMERB clears you, it doesn't mean you will pass a flight physical.

You have options, don't panic yet. Focus on your grades and fixing the things you can (like your vision).
 
Honestly you are putting the cart before the horse.

Sitting height is an issue. HOWEVER, HQ AF can say you will go pilot, but not ejection seat. IOWS when you get to UPT they know you will track T1.

You are an AS100. You need to be selected for SFT as a 200. Hence your det saying when the time is right. Not selected for SFT =not becoming a POC =no commissioning. You won't be up for SFT until next year at this time. You will not be up for rated until 2021 at this time.

As far as PRK/LASIK. USAFA will not do that surgery until they are a rising junior in college. 20 yrs old and they do it on the AF dime.
~ My DS was on the cusp. He begged us to allow the surgery. His Dad was a CSO (F15E) and said to him you don't mess with your eyes bc the risk is too high. He didn't do it and is a pilot now bc in the end of the day at his FC1 physical at WPAFB for his eyes he was good to go.
 
jason6213 said:
Hello all,

Longtime lurker, first time poster. I recently was about to sign off on my DoDMERB counseling with my Det’s personnnel NCO, but when he read off the details of my DoDMERB qualification, a few things came at me as a surprise.

Firstly, I do not qualify for pilot due to sitting height. I never once worried about this, nor considered it since I hold a PPL with about 100 hours. I guess I was always more worried about I sit at 33” as a 5’6” male (about 150 lbs too if that matters). I do not qualify for CSO due to refraction issues, which also came as a huge surprise to me since I thought I for sure qualified for a FC1A physical at least. I know that I’ll have to undergo PRK to correct my vision at some point, but DoDMERB says otherwise for me, at least for CSO and sitting height for pilot. This is very confusing, and I can’t get a straight answer from my Det other than “we’ll look into waivers when the time is right.” I understand that I’m not exactly a priority right now as an AS100, but I just have a few questions about this.

What is the timeline for this process? Do you request a waiver before going for a rated board or does the Air Force use a couple-year-old DoDMERB exam for determining eligibility for a rated application? I know you go to WPAFB for the flying physicals, so why does DoDMERB say what you can/can’t do now as a young cadet? What happens when you apply for a rated slot with DoDMERB saying you don’t qualify for certain rated careers? This information unfortunately isn’t readily availability to me, or either just conflicting and confusing (as I’ve read on previous threads) for a 100-level cadet like me to understand.

Thank you for your time
Click to expand...

I am currently an AS200 competing for a FT slot. I just now got DQ's to go RATED because of my vision. What got me upset was the fact that they disqualified me for information on a physcial that I did back in 2016. I reently sent up new documentation showing I am correctable to 20/20 with PRK. It is possible to go through PRK with a civilian opthamologist you just have to follow the process and documetation your NCO's should provide you. That's what i'm trying to do now. Do i wish i did the surgery last year ? Heck yea. Now I am stuck trying to figure everything out without the 6-month post-surgery MRS requirement cutting into the time RATED boards meet. Don't be afraid to ask quetions. This is your career, fight for it.
 
jason6213 said:
Hello all,

Longtime lurker, first time poster. I recently was about to sign off on my DoDMERB counseling with my Det’s personnnel NCO, but when he read off the details of my DoDMERB qualification, a few things came at me as a surprise.

Firstly, I do not qualify for pilot due to sitting height. I never once worried about this, nor considered it since I hold a PPL with about 100 hours. I guess I was always more worried about I sit at 33” as a 5’6” male (about 150 lbs too if that matters). I do not qualify for CSO due to refraction issues, which also came as a huge surprise to me since I thought I for sure qualified for a FC1A physical at least. I know that I’ll have to undergo PRK to correct my vision at some point, but DoDMERB says otherwise for me, at least for CSO and sitting height for pilot. This is very confusing, and I can’t get a straight answer from my Det other than “we’ll look into waivers when the time is right.” I understand that I’m not exactly a priority right now as an AS100, but I just have a few questions about this.

What is the timeline for this process? Do you request a waiver before going for a rated board or does the Air Force use a couple-year-old DoDMERB exam for determining eligibility for a rated application? I know you go to WPAFB for the flying physicals, so why does DoDMERB say what you can/can’t do now as a young cadet? What happens when you apply for a rated slot with DoDMERB saying you don’t qualify for certain rated careers? This information unfortunately isn’t readily availability to me, or either just conflicting and confusing (as I’ve read on previous threads) for a 100-level cadet like me to understand.

Thank you for your time
Click to expand...
It would seem that any eye issue that disqualify you from CSO would disqualify you from Pilot. It would only seem logical that anything you can fix for Pilot, you can fix for CSO. Most of the tests they give you prior to your Pilot Physical at Wright Patterson are very basic and are there to see if you have the basic level of medical qualification. Plenty of people get disqualifed for vision at Wright Patterson. They select rated positions in Junior year so I would assume you will have some time to fix this issue if it is fixable. In Rotc they will not fix your eyes for you. If you do it, it will be on your dime. It looks like the minimum sit is 34 and height is 5'4. You have the height, you need to figure out how to get another inch out of sitting
 
Humey said:
Most of the tests they give you prior to your Pilot Physical at Wright Patterson are very basic and are there to see if you have the basic level of medical qualification
Click to expand...

I have to disagree on this comment. It is not basic like a DoDMERB. It is the FAA FC1 physical. They send them there for 3 days, it includes everything including an EKG. In the ADAF world this would be considered the long physical, DoDMERB is the short. They rotate these physicals every other yr. IOWS 1 yr your annual would be DoDMERB and it lasts about 45 mins. The next yr as a rated officer you will take the long, which lasts a couple of hours and includes blood work for cholesterol, hearing, eye sight, etc.

At the end of your physical at WPAFB you will meet with a flight surgeon that will review your records. Just saying this exam is not basic, there are many docs involved. Eyes, ears, teeth, heart, and overall body. Don't fool yourself, many will bust this exam and be placed into a waiver process.
~ My DS failed the EKG. They sent him to a higher level exam, along with @20% of other cadets. He passed that exam.
~~ Ironically he went in with the fear of his eyes bc we refused to allow him to get PRK (Dad was a flier) His eyes were fine according to the regs.
~ My DH failed bc they said he had scoliosis at too high of a curvature. His folks took him to a renown specialist in NYC on their own dime to fight the DQ. AF agreed with the specialist and removed the DQ.

I say this just so you know it is an intensive medical exam. In the rated world wisdom teeth can be an issue. Just think of it this way. You will spend @8-10 hrs being medically reviewed. Like I said, eyes = 1 hr. Teeth =1 hr. Ears, nose throat =1 hr. Blood work = 1 hr. Heart (EKG) = 1 hr. General physical, bend over and cough = 1 hr. Flight surgeon review = 1 hr. All of these docs will submit their paperwork. It takes a couple of weeks to get the results.
 
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I'd try to get re-measured. I've known people well into the 6-foot range getting measured below minimum sitting, re-measured later as well above the minimum. Try to get measured in the morning, as you're slightly taller as your spine compresses through the day.
 
Pima said:
Humey said:
Most of the tests they give you prior to your Pilot Physical at Wright Patterson are very basic and are there to see if you have the basic level of medical qualification
Click to expand...

I have to disagree on this comment. It is not basic like a DoDMERB. It is the FAA FC1 physical. They send them there for 3 days, it includes everything including an EKG. In the ADAF world this would be considered the long physical, DoDMERB is the short. They rotate these physicals every other yr. IOWS 1 yr your annual would be DoDMERB and it lasts about 45 mins. The next yr as a rated officer you will take the long, which lasts a couple of hours and includes blood work for cholesterol, hearing, eye sight, etc.

At the end of your physical at WPAFB you will meet with a flight surgeon that will review your records. Just saying this exam is not basic, there are many docs involved. Eyes, ears, teeth, heart, and overall body. Don't fool yourself, many will bust this exam and be placed into a waiver process.
~ My DS failed the EKG. They sent him to a higher level exam, along with @20% of other cadets. He passed that exam.
~~ Ironically he went in with the fear of his eyes bc we refused to allow him to get PRK (Dad was a flier) His eyes were fine according to the regs.
~ My DH failed bc they said he had scoliosis at too high of a curvature. His folks took him to a renown specialist in NYC on their own dime to fight the DQ. AF agreed with the specialist and removed the DQ.

I say this just so you know it is an intensive medical exam. In the rated world wisdom teeth can be an issue. Just think of it this way. You will spend @8-10 hrs being medically reviewed. Like I said, eyes = 1 hr. Teeth =1 hr. Ears, nose throat =1 hr. Blood work = 1 hr. Heart (EKG) = 1 hr. General physical, bend over and cough = 1 hr. Flight surgeon review = 1 hr. All of these docs will submit their paperwork. It takes a couple of weeks to get the results.
Click to expand...
I think you misunderstood me, I said the same thing as you. The physcial at Wright Patterson is the 3 day event. I was saying the physicals prior to that are basic. All the medical tests he took at AFROTC prior to going to Wright Patterson were simple. Even his FAA Class 1 physical for his civilian license wasnt very intensive either
 
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