USMC/Navy waiver difference rant (regarding aviation)

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Kyle42

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Mar 14, 2020
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Isn't it kind of ridiculous that the Marines won't waive some medical conditions that the Navy may? I mean if you're denied a waiver by the Marines and given a waiver by the Navy then you go to OCS and are trained by Marines, go to flight school with Marines, fly the same aircraft as Marines in many cases, and fly similar missions all off the exact same aircraft carrier. Just what is the point of the Marines denying a waiver that is approved by the Navy such as minor hip surgeries if in the end that candidate will end up doing almost the same thing anyways (aviation wise) ? Isn't that kind of pointless on the Marines part and a disservice to themselves if the candidate can get a waiver from the Navy which ought to be a good enough indication they're medically qualified? Other than TBS it's almost the same pipeline. It seems anyone who qualifies for Marine OCS either lies to DODMERB about medical history or hasn't taken part in much intense physical activity their whole lives. Just my opinion here but I think the candidates who have had the bumps and bruises and still want to be Marines after with little risk of re-injury after something small like hip impingement/labrum surgery are a better representation of guys who would fight for something they believe in. Especially when the Navy will waive it and a candidate would end up doing almost the same thing. Now I'm just upset I won't get my shot at being a third generation Marine and I'm aware they don't waive certain things because of data regarding people with similar injuries but an individual analysis of each candidate's situation would be a lot more fair than just getting tossed into a group of other DQ'd candidates who have the same condition but much more severe.
 
well In the sense that every Marine is a rifleman first, every Marine officer is a rifle platoon leader. If you can't meet those requirements, then they aren't going to give you a waiver. Further there is nk guarantee you would make it through flight school. What then? You're Marine Ground after that and better be able to withstand the rigor.

I know you were just ranting and not really looking for an answer. But that's my 2 cents.
 
kinnem said:
well In the sense that every Marine is a rifleman first, every Marine officer is a rifle platoon leader. If you can't meet those requirements, then they aren't going to give you a waiver. Further there is nk guarantee you would make it through flight school. What then? You're Marine Ground after that and better be able to withstand the rigor.

I know you were just ranting and not really looking for an answer. But that's my 2 cents.
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What you’re saying makes sense. I didn’t consider the factor of not making it through flight school. I still think personally I’d be more than healthy enough. I just needed to get some of that frustration out.
 
@Kyle42 - I saw my share of pilots who got assigned as Forward Air Controllers with Infantry units. These were the guys who passed all the physical requirements. They soon realized that flying and working in that part of the USMC was a far cry from the physical demands on Infantry. They eventually caught up but they couldn't wait to go back. ;)
 
USMCGrunt said:
@Kyle42 - I saw my share of pilots who got assigned as Forward Air Controllers with Infantry units. These were the guys who passed all the physical requirements. They soon realized that flying and working in that part of the USMC was a far cry from the physical demands on Infantry. They eventually caught up but they couldn't wait to go back. ;)
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I’ve heard that duty is quite the change of pace! But quite rewarding to the pilots afterwards. I just wish I had a shot to prove myself.
 
Being a Marine is physical. It’s not just the same flying. It is in many ways. TBS is tough on the body. 100+ lb packs can really put a strain on a hip. I am still fairly young and due for a hip replacement due to an old injury that the Marine Corps then destroyed. But what happens if you don’t make it through flight school? Then you have a ground MOS. Lots of more hikes, packs, etc. What if you get selected to be a FAC and spend 3 years with grunts? What if you do a B Billet and spend time leading hikes at TBS or OCS? I understand your rant. From the outside it doesn’t make a lot of sense. The Marine Corps, Pilot or not, is tough on ones body. They want Marines who can handle being a basic rifle platoon commander first and foremost.
 
NavyHoops said:
Being a Marine is physical. It’s not just the same flying. It is in many ways. TBS is tough on the body. 100+ lb packs can really put a strain on a hip. I am still fairly young and due for a hip replacement due to an old injury that the Marine Corps then destroyed. But what happens if you don’t make it through flight school? Then you have a ground MOS. Lots of more hikes, packs, etc. What if you get selected to be a FAC and spend 3 years with grunts? What if you do a B Billet and spend time leading hikes at TBS or OCS? I understand your rant. From the outside it doesn’t make a lot of sense. The Marine Corps, Pilot or not, is tough on ones body. They want Marines who can handle being a basic rifle platoon commander first and foremost.
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All that makes sense and is 100% reasonable. The specific surgery and science behind my case is what is frustrating because I know it won’t be considered. My labrum is at no risk at all and isn’t the source of pain. I just have too much bone on my left hip and all they need to do is shave it down a little. The only possible way re-injury could occur is if that bone grows back which is very highly unlikely. If I broke my femur that’d be one thing but there’s nothing that could “re-impinge” my hip because that’s next to impossible unless your body decides to re grow the excess bone that’s there now.
 
There is a vast difference between shoulder waivers for Marines than Navy personnel. The utilize the Golden Shoulder eval. :wiggle:
 
MullenLE said:
There is a vast difference between shoulder waivers for Marines than Navy personnel. The utilize the Golden Shoulder eval. :wiggle:
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Hey again! My problems are related to my hip labrum as opposed to shoulder labrum. Well check that, the marines think there is a problem with my labrum because there are some tears but no more than the average human. The problem is the impingement but that’s an easy fix but unfortunately an impossible waiver
 
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So until I know who you are and the specifics of your case, which I should already have access to, I can't provide and educated response. So if you want some factual assistance, recommend you send me an email to lawrence.e.mullen.civ@mail.mil; provide your full name and last 4; and paste your original post to the email. If you send me the email, I'll reply this weekend :wiggle:
 
I'm in contact with Kyle42. Resolution and justification request has been forwarded to BUMED :wiggle:
 
When I went through Navy flight school in the early 90s, several Marine aviators in my pipeline went to IOC (Infantry Officers Course) while they waited for next phase of flight training to begin. Those guys were proud to have completed the extremely tough IOC.

I hope your dream works out for the Corps, @Kyle42, but you can do a lot worse in life than Naval Aviation -- and you have a much better shot at getting lots of Cats and Traps in the Navy!
 
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