Realistic chances of flying for Uncle Sam?
08-16-2009, 02:27 PM
#12
New Hire
Joined APC: Feb 2009
Posts: 9
Ditto on the comment about the "asthma". I applied to a service academy out of highschool, and also was cursed with seasonal allergies. I weezed once because of it when I was 16, and my worrisome mother took me to the doctor. Then on my DoDMERB exam questionnaire I checked the innocent little box that asked about this, and was immediately disqualified (no waiver even possible). I'm going into my senior year in college now, and will be applying for a flight guarantee with one of the services but now I have to go through the hassle of proving that I don't have asthma. All I can say is if it's not a major issue, don't make it one. Also anyone whose potentially had to battle DoDMERB on the particular disqualification, I’d love to hear from you...
08-16-2009, 02:43 PM
#13
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 40,009
I think when the guy made the heavies comment he may have been referring to vision standards possibly being lower...which they were at one time IIRC. That was my take on it anyway.
08-16-2009, 05:32 PM
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2009
Posts: 341
Also, I don't know much about flying in the military, but my impression was always that there are fewer fighter spots so that makes the fighter spots more competitive. I could be wrong about that though.
08-16-2009, 09:58 PM
#16
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Posts: 829
For those who are considering the military route solely to get a paycheck and gain hours for an airline job, please PM your name and units you're applying to. I'll send a good recommendation out for you.
08-16-2009, 10:04 PM
#17
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
Posts: 13,839
Ditto on the comment about the "asthma". I applied to a service academy out of highschool, and also was cursed with seasonal allergies. I weezed once because of it when I was 16, and my worrisome mother took me to the doctor. Then on my DoDMERB exam questionnaire I checked the innocent little box that asked about this, and was immediately disqualified (no waiver even possible). I'm going into my senior year in college now, and will be applying for a flight guarantee with one of the services but now I have to go through the hassle of proving that I don't have asthma. All I can say is if it's not a major issue, don't make it one. Also anyone whose potentially had to battle DoDMERB on the particular disqualification, I’d love to hear from you...
I had the allergin test. They poked my back 100 times with about everything that you can imagine. Of course I wasn't surprised when some of the swabs showed I was allergic to a few things. Things can still work out though - so don't give up if it is really what you want!
USMCFLYR
08-16-2009, 10:22 PM
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Posts: 829
Aero,
I had to take a Pulmonary Function test on a treadmill, etc to prove that I did not have asthma - took my Congresswoman's insistence for them to even test me. A doctor had annotated asthma in my records at some point after my 11th birthday as a possible cause of some symptoms I was having, DoDMERB took it as fact.
I had to take a Pulmonary Function test on a treadmill, etc to prove that I did not have asthma - took my Congresswoman's insistence for them to even test me. A doctor had annotated asthma in my records at some point after my 11th birthday as a possible cause of some symptoms I was having, DoDMERB took it as fact.
08-17-2009, 10:09 AM
#20
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2008
Position: USAF
Posts: 1,398
.....I was wondering if maybe it would be a negative thing to have a commercial/cfi,etc,etc and apply for a pilot slot? There has to be a huge flood of pilot applicants that have at least a commercial... would they think that a majority of these people are just trying to get a job, rather than actually want to serve?
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