Had a career change...

[Shodown]

I posted awhile back telling everyone that I got selected for a pilot slot for the Air Force which took 2 years of hard work to get. I went to have a medical physical done where they check out your whole body to make sure you are fit to be a flyer and found that I have an 'intermitent visual acuity' in my right eye. This means that my eyes dont line up exactly as they are supposed to so my left eye is dominant and works harder. Crappy part is, I have had 20/20 vision all my life and it wasnt until I did this f'ing physical that they discovered it!! :rant:. I cant have any flying job within the Air Force now (as an officer anyhow).

This sucks really bad cuz flying jets is all I have wanted to do since I was about 6 years old. Kind of a legacy too. My dad is a flyer in the USAF and his dad and stepdad were as well. The legacy stops here I guess.

I will probably end up being a Space and Missiles officer. If not that then something in Security Forces.

Well, Im done b1thcing now, just needed to vent a little bit. Thanks for reading.

[UpOnGaMe]

Re: Had a career change...

That sucks i my self am enlisted and my Job is actualy to determine if "flyers" can fly or stay flying there are awhole lot of things that disqualfy people but i do believe most are waiverable. i have the book at work and if you have the actual number they gave you. which is what AFI thing you didn't pass i can tell you, i know alot of times they will require you to have lasic surgury did they give you that option?

[1999Spectre]

Re: Had a career change...

dang that sucks, how many times did they test you? ask for a retest and try to pass again if that doesnt work then the key word is "waiver" i had to have one to get in the Army. But usually you can recieve a 2nd test. and you being an officer i'm sure you "know people" that can get you in for that retest.....

[Shodown]

Re: Had a career change...

UpOnGame, I will get you the specs on it, I dont have them right now. My commander is trying to get a waiver, but his boss has told him it wont do anything. Lasik nor PRK can fix what is wrong, its neurological and non-correctible which is why it cant be waivered.

I am however going to see a civilian optometrist to see what he says. I am not going down without a fight...

[Mighty Thor]

Re: Had a career change...

Sorry to hear that. But it doesn't mean you should stop flying. Make it a hobby or an occupation. WHen I used to work for UPS I spoke to a lot of pilot who flew single engine planes to deliver overnight packages. A lot of them got promoted to fly the big planes.

Since you're very young you might wanna think about something like this. You don't really have to do it for the airforce. Although that would have been cool.

[4thgenowner]

Re: Had a career change...

Fly civilian jets. Nothing wrong with them. :D

[Shodown]

Re: Had a career change...

I am still working on my Private Pilot's License. I only have a few more lessons before I am ready for my checkride so I may just do 4 years in the AF (cuz I am already comitted to that) and then go to the reserves and go back to school for more civilian jet training. But I need to start saving for that now, cuz its about $40,000 just to learn the corporate jets and another $40k for commercial jet liners.

[4thgenowner]

Re: Had a career change...

part 61 or 141?

[Shodown]

Re: Had a career change...

part 61 or 141?

I am in a 141 right now.

[4thgenowner]

Re: Had a career change...

Ah, im working on commercial single in 141 now.

[Savorybacon]

Re: Had a career change...

I am really sorry to hear that, that was my dream too until all this stuff has gone on with our prez and his decisions, I have decided to finish up school then decide on the military. Thanks for serving, stay safe flying whatever you end up flying.

[Pewter2K1]

Re: Had a career change...

How about a co-pilot or sideseat position? Lasek?? I know a friend of mine graduated from the academy and had gotten lasek, hes somewhere now in flight school....

[SpeedingFirebird]

Re: Had a career change...

This means that my eyes dont line up exactly as they are supposed to so my left eye is dominant and works harder.

I know this problem well (both I and my son have it). For people suggesting Lasik, it is muscle problem - not something that surgery can repair.

My son's eye doctor is telling me with eye physical therapy, he can correct my problem. We are doing the therapy right now with my son. Try looking up an eye doctor that does physical therapy and ask if he can correct your problem. The younger you are, the higher chance of success. My son's eye doc said even though I am 32, he could correct mine. I am thinking about doing it when I have the time (after I finish school).

[1999Spectre]

Re: Had a career change...

the national guard has $20000 bonuses now and also whats called the college first program, we send you to school for 2 years fully paid for, as long as you become a full time student, you might want to call a guard recruiter and look into that. you might even be able to fly since the guard is a little more leaniant........

[Shodown]

Re: Had a career change...

Thanks for the info, but I am already committed to 4 years active duty cuz the AF has given me a full ride scholarship.

Plus although the guard is more lenient, but they still have the same rules and requirements for flyers as well, you have to be able to get a Flying Class 1A medical qualification, which I cant pass due to my right eye.