The Doctor is in! Ask a Flight Surgeon!

[David Patterson]

Probably not, provided you don't have any limitations in breathing or recurrent sinus problems due to the fracture/anatomic abnormality.


This history and current findings may be problematic. NFO applicants must meet depth perception standards for aviation. The fact that you can pass at least some of the time may get you where you need to be. A history of strabismus surgery is disqualifying for aviation. Waivers may be considered on a case-by-case basis for personnel not in actual control of aircraft (e.g. NFO). An oculomotor worksheet must be submitted to NAMI for consideration of a waiver recommendation for both of these conditions. You may want to print out a copy and take it to an ophthalmologist before going much further to see if you can make it past that hurdle.
R/

Where I can I get the occulomotor sheet? on the NAMI website?

 

[TimeBomb]

Here ya go:
http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nmotc/nami/arwg/Documents/WaiverGuide/12_Ophthalmology.pdf
R/

 

[Kyle Stevens]

So I failed the blood pressure test at MEPS and was given the serial blood pressure test form where I have to get it measured for three consecutive days. I just got my blood pressure test done at the local Walgreens pharmacy by a pharmacist there (BP 121/71 HR 79), would MEPS accept this form done my a local pharmacist or would I have to go to an actual physician? I don't want any more hiccups in this medical process.

 

[Zagg]

Hey everyone;
I'm a new member here, currently two years out from college graduation, upon which I hope to submit a SNA/NFO OCS package. I hadn't planned on making an account here or posting for some time, but recently I've noticed that two of my fingers make a slight "clicking" when closed to form a fist. I'm pretty sure it's a minor case of stenosing tenosynovitis, or "trigger finger." It's been present for at least 4 or 5 years now, but I never really paid any mind to it before, as it's never caused any pain or restriction of motion. I've tried looking in the MANMED and NAMI guides as well as here for anything similar, but wasn't able to find anything. Would this condition be threatening to an aviation application? I.e., could it be waiverable, or too slight to pose a problem, or should I have a minor corrective procedure done? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Randy Daytona]

Opinions on this from the medical field?

Senators call for abolishing service medical commands

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/sto...abolishing-service-medical-commands/84796694/

 

[TimeBomb]

Cui bono? (Who profits?)

S 2943, the Senate Armed Services Committee draft of the 2017 NDAA, proposes "unifying" the individual service medical departments under the "Defense Health Agency" (DHA). To me, DHA looks like a solution looking for a problem, but it currently provides some "joint medical" functions (R&D, pharmacy, education and training, information technology, and oddly, Walter Reed/Bethesda) that Congress thinks could be expanded to include the whole of direct and indirect patient care in the military treatment facilies. Oh, by the way, a number of billets within the separate service medical administrations staffs will be eliminated under the proposal, which will save lots of personnel dollars.

This appears to be another salvo in the long-standing battle to "purple suit" military medicine. The SASC version of the NDAA is considered to be pretty draconian, whereas the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) version is supposedly a bit less aggressive. Nevertheless, the compromise version will probably be something the individual services don't much like, and unless the entire NDAA is vetoed by the president, looks like big change is in the wind.

Keep a close eye on the NDAA process for a number of reasons. S 2943 has a number of provisions that will affect health care benefits for all components (active, reserve and retired) who rate the benefit.

R/

 

[Flash]

...To me, DHA looks like a solution looking for a problem, but it currently provides some "joint medical" functions (R&D, pharmacy, education and training, information technology, and oddly, Walter Reed/Bethesda) that Congress thinks could be expanded to include the whole of direct and indirect patient care in the military treatment families...looks like big change is in the wind....

Having a joint medical command always seemed to make more sense to me than the service-specific ones we have now, does it make sense if done right from you perspective?

 

[TimeBomb]

"Getting it right" seems to be the main concern. The worry (whether legitimate or not) is that the elements of "service specific" medical requirements will be diluted or lost in a purple environment. I think the idea is analogous to the recurrent efforts to combine USA and USN helo training at Rucker, or combined USAF/USN NFO/WSO training at Pensacola.
R/

 

[JVA]

Does the Navy test color vision monocularly, or with both eyes together for the flight physical? Curious about this for the PIP plates

 

[Jad4400]

I just wanted to make sure I read this document correctly: http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nmotc/nami/arwg/Documents/WaiverGuide/01_Physical_Standards.pdf

To be an NFO, my blood pressure just has to be under 140/90 correct? My recruiter keeps saying the result needs to be under 130/80, but NAMI seems to say something different. I got DQ'd from Aviation at MEPS with a BP of 133/90, so if the under 140/90 result is the correct one, then I was just one point off.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

I just wanted to make sure I read this document correctly: http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nmotc/nami/arwg/Documents/WaiverGuide/01_Physical_Standards.pdf

To be an NFO, my blood pressure just has to be under 140/90 correct? My recruiter keeps saying the result needs to be under 130/80, but NAMI seems to say something different. I got DQ'd from Aviation at MEPS with a BP of 133/90, so if the under 140/90 result is the correct one, then I was just one point off.

remember you have to meet requirements for basic enlistment in the MANMED then NAMI comes into play

 

[Jad4400]

remember you have to meet requirements for basic enlistment in the MANMED then NAMI comes into play

Correct, according to my recruiter, I was physically cleared for everything except aviation. Technically my depth perception DQ'd me from SNA, but since Iwas looking ot go NFO I wasn't too concerned about that.

Looking at MANMED, I was just about one off my score.

(a) Blood Pressure. Standing and supine measurements are not required. The following shall be considered disqualifying for all aviation duty.
ill Systolic greater than 139 mm Hg. ill Diastolic greater than 89mm Hg.

I get pretty bad white coat hypertension so I think my next go around when I go in for the three day checks I should be better off.

 

[Hopeful Hoya]

I have that as well, people have told me to let the HMs/Docs know and usually they'll let you chill out for a bit to de-stress and get your BP down before they take it. I know I certainty wasn't below 140/90 when I showed up to MEPS at 6am after a fitful night of sleep.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

Correct, according to my recruiter, I was physically cleared for everything except aviation. Technically my depth perception DQ'd me from SNA, but since Iwas looking ot go NFO I wasn't too concerned about that.

Looking at MANMED, I was just about one off my score.

(a) Blood Pressure. Standing and supine measurements are not required. The following shall be considered disqualifying for all aviation duty.
ill Systolic greater than 139 mm Hg. ill Diastolic greater than 89mm Hg.

I get pretty bad white coat hypertension so I think my next go around when I go in for the three day checks I should be better off.

My BP used to be borderline and it has been what they refer to as "text book" ever since I cut out caffeine so you might look at what things you could do to help your BP, your Doc or some of the Docs here probably have suggestions as I myself am not a doctor, although I played doctor quite a bit in my youth

 

[FormerRecruitingGuru]

My BP used to be borderline and it has been what they refer to as "text book" ever since I cut out caffeine so you might look at what things you could do to help your BP, your Doc or some of the Docs here probably have suggestions as I myself am not a doctor, although I played doctor quite a bit in my youth

Did recruiting really do that much damage to you?