Peanut Stands Between Service and I

Are-Kae

New Member
Joined
Apr 20, 2022
Messages
4
Good Morning,

I’m a former Chemistry lecturer turned aviator and I’m motivated to pursue my life-long desire to fly and serve with the USAF. Currently working toward PPL certificate and in my mid twenties. Unfortunately like many other individuals affected with peanut allergies, I’ve been stressed about the process and not knowing if there even is a path to ascension that’s within grasp. Although not documented extensively I discovered the allergy in elementary school when I bit into a peanut cookie and developed itchiness and a stomach ache. Recently I’ve seen an allergist who determined a clinically significant peanut allergy via advanced blood screening with no clinical data on severity at this time (I plan to have severity investigated), and thankfully no tolerance issue with tree nuts. So tackling the peanut allergy is now the barrier between me and serving. I’ve discussed this with my recruiter who was excellently supportive. However understandably they were unable to comment on the technicalities regarding ascension of those affected by allergies. My recruiter is not a doctor and could only recommend pausing the application process, have me send as much information regarding the circumstances of the allergy as possible, and from there we see what happens.

I know oral immunotherapy is an option, but I wonder if anybody else has had success with it when it came to ascension. Ultimately I understand that along with other important factors, medical fitness is a priority for the military. But I can’t help but feel bad and in a rut for not knowing what to really do. Would really appreciate any pointers or suggestions or sharing of your experience. I’m eager not to give up.

Thanks a ton,
-RK
 
If you’d like, you may send me an email: lawrence.e.mullen.civ@mail.mil; provide complete name and last 4 SSN; provide the text of your posting above to YOUR email. The subject line of the email should be “Are-Kae- SAF =Peanut Stands Between Service and I.“ Do NOT embed links in your email as I will not be able to view those.:wiggle:
 
Good Morning,

I’m a former Chemistry lecturer turned aviator and I’m motivated to pursue my life-long desire to fly and serve with the USAF. Currently working toward PPL certificate and in my mid twenties. Unfortunately like many other individuals affected with peanut allergies, I’ve been stressed about the process and not knowing if there even is a path to ascension that’s within grasp. Although not documented extensively I discovered the allergy in elementary school when I bit into a peanut cookie and developed itchiness and a stomach ache. Recently I’ve seen an allergist who determined a clinically significant peanut allergy via advanced blood screening with no clinical data on severity at this time (I plan to have severity investigated), and thankfully no tolerance issue with tree nuts. So tackling the peanut allergy is now the barrier between me and serving. I’ve discussed this with my recruiter who was excellently supportive. However understandably they were unable to comment on the technicalities regarding ascension of those affected by allergies. My recruiter is not a doctor and could only recommend pausing the application process, have me send as much information regarding the circumstances of the allergy as possible, and from there we see what happens.

I know oral immunotherapy is an option, but I wonder if anybody else has had success with it when it came to ascension. Ultimately I understand that along with other important factors, medical fitness is a priority for the military. But I can’t help but feel bad and in a rut for not knowing what to really do. Would really appreciate any pointers or suggestions or sharing of your experience. I’m eager not to give up.

Thanks a ton,
-RK
Good luck with your journey. You are taking a systematic approach, and you can’t do better than communicating with Mr. Mullen, the Deputy Director DoDMERB, who kindly spends time here on this forum.

And - I think you mean “accession” when it comes to processing into the military, though I find “ascension” has a heavenly tinge that is quite appealing.
 
I already accepted the fact that "ascension" was not what he meant:bounce1:
 
A man with gold wings on his chest told me he ascended into the cockpit of a pointy grey plane :bounce1:
Let’s hope he had as many ascensions as descensions. Mis-matches in that area may be problematical. 😱
 
Good luck with your journey. You are taking a systematic approach, and you can’t do better than communicating with Mr. Mullen, the Deputy Director DoDMERB, who kindly spends time here on this forum.

And - I think you mean “accession” when it comes to processing into the military, though I find “ascension” has a heavenly tinge that is quite appealing.
Thank you. Yep, I’m thankful for finding this forum. Also, guilty as charged for using a technical term colloquially 😁
 
Our honor and privilege to serve:wiggle:
 
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