sdafmom, welcome to the world of the AF flyer, where the Flight surgeon is seen as "the enemy". Why? Because they have the power with the stroke of a pen to take you off of flying status (and actually, the term is "DNIF", or "Duties Not Including Flying"). 20 years in the back and right seat of fighters, and I spent my career in fear of going to the flight doc. The attitude was along the lines of "how dare he (or she) tell me that I can't fly! I'm supposed to be on a really cool mission tomorrow!" Pima can confirm; unless I was near death's door, I refused to go see the doc. And if I ever volunteered to go, then she became worried because she knew I must have been REALLY sick to actually go on my own. (And has teased me and often was very angry about my attitude, especially if she thought I was really sick and was (in her words) "acting like a baby".) Don't get me wrong, I LOVED our Flight Docs! Great bunch of folks who really did have our (and our families) best interests at heart. And so are the rest involved in military's medical career field. Mr. Mullen here on the forums is a perfect example some one who cares and tries his best everyday to help those in the military when it comes to their medical needs. Share a beer with them, have them over for dinner, make them the God parents to our kids? You bet! Let them get near me with a tongue depressor or stethoscope? Them's fightin' words....
But I digress. Sounds to me like your son needs to talk to the surgeon and see just how long this will take to heal so he can get back on flying status. Could be a few days, could be weeks, could be months. I just don't know as my medical knowledge is limited to even less than "stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night" levels. But I'm sure the docs will be honest with him, and have his future career in their thoughts as they prepare to heal him. Problems in the nasal cavity are very concerning for a career in aviation (due to the environment you'll be in); this HAS to be taken care of! It's now a matter of the severity and the amount of time it will take to heal. They will come up with a plan and make recommendations to get him back on track in the fastest way possible.
As to IFS and UPT? Not a big deal if he needs to move his start dates to get more healing time. In fact, a large number of students each year will fall back to a later class for a multitude of reasons, from academic to physical to family emergencies. It won't be seen as a "hit" on him or hurt his career in any way.
Most likely, they may ask him to report anyway, where he'll sit on "casual" status. He'll be working somewhere on the base, doing admin work and such, until he's ready to start his class. Again, not a big deal. Trust me, his time will be a hectic whirlwind once he starts IFS and UPT. Tell him ot enjoy the chance of a break for now, as he won't get one for another 2 years once he starts. Better yet, if he does go on "casual" status, tell him to "hit the pubs" (i.e. ask for and study the flight manuals and flight procedure publications while he is waiting to start the real course.) Getting in some extra study time ALWAYS helps!
Best of luck to your son. And just realize this is the start of your son seeing the medical profession as "the enemy". Just get him to realize they have his best interests in heart, but also have the best interests in heart of theUS military. They WANT him back and ready to start flying for the AF' he made it this far in teh selection process, he is seen (and is planned for) as an asset they have to get back to 100% ready to serve status....
Bullet
PS. Mr. Mullen is a National Treasure in regards to medical issues and qualifications and disqualifications involving DODMERB. PM him direct, or ask him question on the medical threads. Outstanding individual who will gladly provide greater medical and process detail...
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