PRK Surgery & Rated Board Deadlines

kfhaigle

kfhaigle

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Aug 18, 2015
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I'm a senior cadet in AFROTC this coming year (Graduating May 2017) and I am scheduled to get PRK surgery (currently -4.25/-4.25 w/o correct done on 18 Dec. I know the waiver form has 1-month, 2-month, 3-month, and 6-month post-op checkups with an eye care professional; it states the 6-month checkup is the last requirement for flying and non-flying/special duty). However, with my graduating date being May of 2017, I know rated boards will most likely begin in January. Is there a chance that I could still compete for a pilot slot with these deadlines? Any additional information about either the PRK surgery or Rated Boards would be greatly appreciated as well. Thank you for your time and take care.
 
If your a senior you already went up for the rated boards.. you would have already went to wright pat this summer for your FC1. Its too late for you to get PRK unless you get some kind of special waiver. It looks like you meet minimums and would just have to wear glasses/contacts. Are you a 5th year? are you going up for the supplemental board? the normal board for your year group already met awhile ago.. by the time you get your PRK you will already have your non-rated assignment if your not under some special circumstance.
 
If my mind is working correctly, it was the 2016 year group that met the board this year. FY2017 will meet in Feb of 2016.
~ That being stated, most cadets will have the surgery over the summer right after attending SFT.

Personally, if you are within regs I don't get why you would do this, especially since if selected next winter they could send you to WPAFB before you hit that 6 month marker and now have to go through the waiver process.
~ They could send you for FAA FC1 June 1st. That means you have yet to get the all clear for 6 months.

Many fliers will say don't mess with your eyes unless you must mess with them.
 
Pima that's exactly why I asked what I did, a senior cadet but is 2 years from graduation? So he's a 5th year and not a "true" senior. And to add on to what Pima said, when I was going through that process my cadre informed me (simply put) that you have to have your final checkups done prior to the process so they don't waste a slot on you if you DQ yourself. I'm nearly 100% positive you would DQ yourself from the regular board and have to go supplemental if they would even let you do that. This is honestly a question that needs to be routed to your cadre and through medical. There are actual guidelines that you can read up on.
 
Thank you for all your replies. We have just had a switch of command at our Det, realizing they are still learning the ways of ROTC compared to actual Air Force/military life, I am trying to gather as much information in my own as possible. To clarify, I am an AS400 and will be an AS800 next year, graduating through a 5-yr plan thanks to change of majors. Take care.
 
You will not be medically eligible for the January rated board unless you are six months post op. You will have to wait for the supplemental board the following September. My son's det did not understand this and a couple cadets did not board and will board this September.
 
Thanks for your reply! Would this affect my commissioning date by going on the supplemental board in September. In addition, could you elaborate on the supplemental board process compared to the rated board process coming in Feb.
 
In any case, you must wait 12 months after surgery to obtain your FC1 at Wright-Pat.

Your Cadet Timeline:
index.php
*Wright-Patterson has replaced Brooks

If you haven't already, express immediately to your APAS and Medical NCO that you wish to have surgery. Keep them in the loop throughout the process and they will help you.

I will add that for pilots, uncorrected vision minimums are 20/70 in each eye, waiverable to 20/200. Nav is 20/200 uncorrected. Vision in both eyes should be correctable to 20/20.

Also there are condition limits you must meet before surgery:

MYOPIA
≤ -8.00 Diopters

HYPEROPIA
≤ +0.50 Diopters

ASTIGMATISM
≤ 3.00 Diopters

ANISOMETROPIA
≤ 2.50 Diopters

Another similar discussion: http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/eye-surgery-needed-to-apply-rated.44247/
 
No it won't affect your commissioning but if you think rated boards are hard or dicy going for supplemental is worse. They could have 10 slots or 100. Supplemental is whatever they need after the original boards. You meet he requirements, my advice is don't do it. I've said this before on this forum, we had multiple people at wright pat in my group who had lasik and prk, every single one still has to wear glasses when flying. Your eyes are still growing in your twenties.
 
My DS was on the cusp, we told him not to do it. His eyes actually did change for the better, never had the surgery. He had no problem at WPAFB for the FAA FC1, and winged last year.
 
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