This topic's been gone over several times, but it always comes up so I thought I'd start a new forum about it for anybody who needs the info.
I puked at least once during every block of training in Primary (it took me over 1 month to get through PAs), but today I'm about 7 fly days away from finishing up the advanced helo syllabus and getting my wings. I've been asked how I managed to do it when a lot of guys get attrited every year. So here's my advice to those who may need or know someone who does:
1. BE PREPARED FOR THE FLIGHT! This is good advice for anybody, but moreso for the pukers. Once you start getting sick, it's tough to keep your head in the game, so the more you prepare, the more automatic everything will be. The other thing about being well prepared is that you're going to come under a lot of scrutiny if you keep getting sick. The better you are, the more forgiving the squadron will be.
2. TAKE BACK THE CONTROLS. Sure, you're going to have to hand over the controls while you pull out your bag and hurl. Once you're done, though, take a drink of water, shake it off and get back on the controls. The best thing I had going for me was that I only incompleted one flight in Primary because of sickness. The farther you can get into the syllabus, the more forgiving they are.
3. DON'T GIVE UP. Like I said earlier, you're going to come under a lot of scrutiny. Make it obvious that this is what you really want to do still. Do everything they tell you to do. Try every remedy the docs and IPs tell you.
4. BE PROACTIVE. Kind of goes along with number 3. Don't sit around and let them decide your fate. Stay on top of things. Ask what you need to do. Come up with your own plan on how to remedy the situation and present it to your chain of command. If you want some suggestions, you can ask me. The more involved you are, the better your chances.
That's about all I have for now. If anyone has anything to add, it would be appreciated. I'm not going to say that there wasn't a lot of luck involved in my situation. There was, but it's funny how luck always seems to follow those who are actively looking for it.
I puked at least once during every block of training in Primary (it took me over 1 month to get through PAs), but today I'm about 7 fly days away from finishing up the advanced helo syllabus and getting my wings. I've been asked how I managed to do it when a lot of guys get attrited every year. So here's my advice to those who may need or know someone who does:
1. BE PREPARED FOR THE FLIGHT! This is good advice for anybody, but moreso for the pukers. Once you start getting sick, it's tough to keep your head in the game, so the more you prepare, the more automatic everything will be. The other thing about being well prepared is that you're going to come under a lot of scrutiny if you keep getting sick. The better you are, the more forgiving the squadron will be.
2. TAKE BACK THE CONTROLS. Sure, you're going to have to hand over the controls while you pull out your bag and hurl. Once you're done, though, take a drink of water, shake it off and get back on the controls. The best thing I had going for me was that I only incompleted one flight in Primary because of sickness. The farther you can get into the syllabus, the more forgiving they are.
3. DON'T GIVE UP. Like I said earlier, you're going to come under a lot of scrutiny. Make it obvious that this is what you really want to do still. Do everything they tell you to do. Try every remedy the docs and IPs tell you.
4. BE PROACTIVE. Kind of goes along with number 3. Don't sit around and let them decide your fate. Stay on top of things. Ask what you need to do. Come up with your own plan on how to remedy the situation and present it to your chain of command. If you want some suggestions, you can ask me. The more involved you are, the better your chances.
That's about all I have for now. If anyone has anything to add, it would be appreciated. I'm not going to say that there wasn't a lot of luck involved in my situation. There was, but it's funny how luck always seems to follow those who are actively looking for it.