USAF Flight Class 1 medical question

spencezilla12

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Jul 23, 2020
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Hey all,
It has been my dream to be an AF pilot. I decided to go and achieve my dream of being a fighter pilot. I do have some doubts about the medical however. My eye doctor said I could get LASIK or PRK (forgot which one) I don’t know if I should get that before I go to USAFA or ROTC. I don’t want to get it and it DQ me in the medical. How easy is it to get a medical waiver for PRK or LASIK. Also what are the stats on how many people passing their FC1 medical. Like any experience with the FC1 medical would be much appreciated.
 
My eye doctor said I could get LASIK or PRK (forgot which one) I don’t know if I should get that before I go to USAFA or ROTC. I don’t want to get it and it DQ me in the medical. How easy is it to get a medical waiver for PRK or LASIK

I don't know about Air Force, but getting LASIK /PRK before Admission is DISQUALIFYING for Navy. Suggest that you reach out to Mr. Mullen (See DODMERB thread) to see if it is the same for USAF.

If I am not mistaken, Navy will actual arrange and pay for Lasik or PRK once you are in ..but don't do it on your own.
 
Most eye docs will tell you not to do it before you hit around 20. Your eyes will change

USAFA will pay for the surgery as a C2C

AFROTC will not pay for the surgery, even if you are on scholarship, it will be on your own dime.
 
I wouldnt do it before you joinged Rotc or USAFA. I would do it in conjuction with them to make sure you get it done correctly (dont mean medically correct) I dont know what your eyes are like, but you can still get a pilot spot wearing glasses. My son did and when he went to UPT he was provided with 7 glasses to use when flying. Before he finished UPT he was told by the AF people doing his eye exam, that he should look into getting his eyes fixed if he got a fighter and I think its on the AF dime.
 
Most eye docs will tell you not to do it before you hit around 20. Your eyes will change

USAFA will pay for the surgery as a C2C

AFROTC will not pay for the surgery, even if you are on scholarship, it will be on your own dime.
So you would wait until I get into USAFA or ROTC? What year would I do that so I would be eligible for UPT? Also is there any way to make sure I am medically qualified before I go into USAFA or ROTC
 
@spencezilla12 If you apply for USAFA, they will send you for a DoDMERB exam at a certain point. Typically you need to move from applicant to candidate. For AFROTC if you have already done the DoDMERB exam for USAFA they will transfer it over. However, AFROTC will not request that exam until you have been awarded a scholarship.
Again, USAFA will determine when they will perform the surgery, but historically it has been as a C2C
For AFROTC cadets they try to get this done no later than summer of their rising junior yr., and typically after they have completed SFT. They do this so they are 6 months out from meeting the rated board.
With all of that being said, your DoDMERB exam will only qualify you to serve. It is the FC1 that qualifies you to fly. This exam will occur after you are selected for a rated position. For AFROTC it will be done in the summer of your rising AS400. Unlike the DoDMERB exam that lasts for about 45 mins., the FC1 is a 3 day exam done at Wright Pat AFB. The 3 days are broken up in parts, so it is a lot of sitting around between appointments. Yet., it covers everything from your nose to your toes, including blood work, ekg, eyes, ears, teeth, etc.
 
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