MEPS Issues

[Tom]

I failed the PIP test and then failed the FALANT because the guy got me all nervous and he didn't even carry out the test correctly (which I learned after i did more research on the way it should be conducted) and then I decided to goto Berkeley School of Optometry and took the FALANT again along with the Farnsworth D-15 arrangement test and PIP. I failed the PIP but passed both FALANT and D-15. The doctor wrote a whole page explaning my diagnosis saying that i have a very mild deficiency but that it will have no effect in my duties as a Naval Aviation Officer. But for some reason I was NPQed for final select SNA and got SNFO (which confused me too because from my understanding, their requirements are the same). Either the SNA board didn't see the doctor's letter (which Feddoc thought may be a possibility) or I was a victim of "the needs of the Navy." But yea, I know I can pass the FALANT test when I do the flight physical so I was wondering since I was NPQed just for the color vision issue, if a switch to SNA may be allowed when I pass the flight physical. if not, that's totally fine but I'm thinking it'd be worth the effort. what do you think?

Perhaps it is because docs at NAMI are the Navy experts. How much would a civilian doctor know about the requirements to be a Naval Aviator?

NAMI does not grant waivers based off the "needs of the Navy". All NAMI reviews is the medical evidence and makes recommendations. The only way the "needs of the Navy" would play into effects is if PERS granted you a waiver after NAMI did not recommend a waiver.

Waiver Process
1. Flight doc makes recommendation, or sends you to a consult with a specialist.
2. NAMI review board makes a recommendation.
3. PERS grants or does not grant a waiver.

As for a switch to SNA when you do your flight physical, good luck. If you are taking a real flight physical then that means you are already in. Once you are in you get to stand in line with all the other SNFO's who want to transfer to SNA without medical problems. In other words, I believe there is little chance for this to happen.

 

[robav8r]

I'm not arguing this, just curious. By getting a lot of sleep and being hydrated going into the test, what does that help exactly?

The eyes are very sensitive to fatigue (lack of adequate sleep) and inadequate hydration. Yes, if there is a pre-existing, physiological condition of the eyes, then all the sleep in the world and being super hydrated won't help. Just trying to give advice on some things that you can do which might help.

 

[shotcalla10]

Perhaps it is because docs at NAMI are the Navy experts. How much would a civilian doctor know about the requirements to be a Naval Aviator?

NAMI does not grant waivers based off the "needs of the Navy". All NAMI reviews is the medical evidence and makes recommendations. The only way the "needs of the Navy" would play into effects is if PERS granted you a waiver after NAMI did not recommend a waiver.

Waiver Process
1. Flight doc makes recommendation, or sends you to a consult with a specialist.
2. NAMI review board makes a recommendation.
3. PERS grants or does not grant a waiver.

As for a switch to SNA when you do your flight physical, good luck. If you are taking a real flight physical then that means you are already in. Once you are in you get to stand in line with all the other SNFO's who want to transfer to SNA without medical problems. In other words, I believe there is little chance for this to happen.

The doctor I went to go see at the Berkeley school of optometry is actually one of the leading researcher in the world in the area of Color Vision... he literally ran all kinds of tests on me to pinpoint exactly what my diagnosis was. I think that's why he was able to conclude that I will be able to meet all the duties as an aviation officer. Seemed like he's dealth with ALL types of people for their careers (Navy, Air Force, the police department, FBI, fire department, Customs, etc...), and UC Berkeley was the only place in California that I could find with the FALANT besides MEPS. anyway...

What I'm confused is about is why they picked me up for SNFO and not SNA (and believe me, i'm DEFINITELY not complaining and infinitely grateful because NFO is better than anything else I can think of in the civvy world)... does that mean PERS granted me a waiver for SNFO but not SNA?

I goto OCS in two weeks, I guess I will have to just have faith and keep telling myself that everything happens for a reason and do the absolute best I can.

And little chance is better than no chance, so I'll keep pushing it until they completely shut the door on me for SNA, I mean the worst thing that can happen is me being a SNFO... that is a fricken GREAT deal. I love it.

Tom, thanks for your input!!! greatly appreciated!

 

[BACONATOR]

The doctor I went to go see at the Berkeley school of optometry is actually one of the leading researcher in the world in the area of Color Vision... he literally ran all kinds of tests on me to pinpoint exactly what my diagnosis was. I think that's why he was able to conclude that I will be able to meet all the duties as an aviation officer. Seemed like he's dealth with ALL types of people for their careers (Navy, Air Force, the police department, FBI, fire department, Customs, etc...), and UC Berkeley was the only place in California that I could find with the FALANT besides MEPS. anyway...

What I'm confused is about is why they picked me up for SNFO and not SNA (and believe me, i'm DEFINITELY not complaining and infinitely grateful because NFO is better than anything else I can think of in the civvy world)... does that mean PERS granted me a waiver for SNFO but not SNA?

I goto OCS in two weeks, I guess I will have to just have faith and keep telling myself that everything happens for a reason and do the absolute best I can.

And little chance is better than no chance, so I'll keep pushing it until they completely shut the door on me for SNA, I mean the worst thing that can happen is me being a SNFO... that is a fricken GREAT deal. I love it.

Tom, thanks for your input!!! greatly appreciated!

If color was your only issue and you got SNFO, you're PQ for SNA. They probably just happened to give you SNFO for whatever reason. Deal with it. If you can, try to switch at OCS (won't happen unless something crazy happens) or API. Otherwise move forward and lat xfer later if you really care about being a pilot. Either way, it's a great life!

Good luck!

 

[Tom]

The doctor I went to go see at the Berkeley school of optometry is actually one of the leading researcher in the world in the area of Color Vision... he literally ran all kinds of tests on me to pinpoint exactly what my diagnosis was. I think that's why he was able to conclude that I will be able to meet all the duties as an aviation officer. Seemed like he's dealth with ALL types of people for their careers (Navy, Air Force, the police department, FBI, fire department, Customs, etc...), and UC Berkeley was the only place in California that I could find with the FALANT besides MEPS. anyway...

What I'm confused is about is why they picked me up for SNFO and not SNA (and believe me, i'm DEFINITELY not complaining and infinitely grateful because NFO is better than anything else I can think of in the civvy world)... does that mean PERS granted me a waiver for SNFO but not SNA?

I goto OCS in two weeks, I guess I will have to just have faith and keep telling myself that everything happens for a reason and do the absolute best I can.

And little chance is better than no chance, so I'll keep pushing it until they completely shut the door on me for SNA, I mean the worst thing that can happen is me being a SNFO... that is a fricken GREAT deal. I love it.

Tom, thanks for your input!!! greatly appreciated!

It is possible that NAMI recommended a waiver for only SNFO and not SNA. I doubt that PERS would "choose" to only grant SNFO if SNA was also feasible. If you had more time I would recommend trying to talk to a flight doc. Since you are going to see one in the beginning of OCS and API you could always raise the issue then. API is probably a more realistic time because you do not have enough freedom to work with the schedule of a flight doc.

Good luck, move fast, yell loud and do not ever quit.

 

[shotcalla10]

It is possible that NAMI recommended a waiver for only SNFO and not SNA. I doubt that PERS would "choose" to only grant SNFO if SNA was also feasible. If you had more time I would recommend trying to talk to a flight doc. Since you are going to see one in the beginning of OCS and API you could always raise the issue then. API is probably a more realistic time because you do not have enough freedom to work with the schedule of a flight doc.

Good luck, move fast, yell loud and do not ever quit.

YESSIR!!!

I appreciate you guys' advice and encouragement.

 

[scottwith1t]

Don't worry about it, Tom failed it at Meps and passed in his physical. It was something I was very stressed about because I passed at MEPS only after several guesses, "nope, try again." Once I got down there, it wasn't that big of a deal, relax, move your head around slightly once you're looking at it. One will tend to pop out. Get a magic eye book and get good at it, thats what I did.

I’ve never been able to see a magic eye picture, which freaked me out because they called me up asking me to go get a depth perception test for my findocs and from what I’ve been told inability to see magic eye was an indication that you have depth perception problems.

Well the time came and I went to a civilian eye doctor and took the RANDOT test with the funky glasses and book of weird images. It was hard, and I took my time, but I got all 10 correct.


It seems as though your eyes must adjust to the glasses to see the rings pop out. The first 4 or so were easy but the last 6 were difficult. There were a few where I just moved my head around until one of the rings looked slightly different than the others and that’s the one to pick. the biggest piece of advice I can give to anyone about to take the depth perception test is to TAKE YOUR TIME, after a minute or two even the hard ones were starting to pop out at me and I’m sure if I had sat there for 5+ minutes they'd all have popped out. plus, don't freak out... the eye doctor said you could miss up to 6 before hitting the 40 seconds of arc at 16 inches NAMI limit for the particular RANDOT test I took. So if you miss some it’s not a big deal.


I can attest to drinking lots of water. When I went in for my second civilian eye exam I scored 20/15 by the time I was peeing basically filtered water. This was up from 20/20 the last time I had an eye exam and was not nearly as hydrated just 3 months prior.

This thread sure is reassuring that its not the end of your Navy career if you fail your flight physical and that its possible to redesignate, especially for those who are leaving stable careers as civilians to do this.

 

[shotcalla10]

So I'm done with my 5th week here at OCS. This morning, I was scheduled to go to the eye clinic for a retest (they just wanted to make sure that I'm PQ for NFO/PILOT with regards to color vision). Now most of you know that I've had issues with this before. I've passed it at Civilian doctor before OCS and I passed the flight physical during indoc week... but apparently I can't pass the damn thing consistently... so yea... I'm supposed to meet with a flight surgeon here in Newport and I'm going to be NPQed for Naval Aviation... I've been just thinking about my options from here... anyone have advice? I'm going into 6th week and I fricken don't want to quit or get sent home... I want to finish OCS... as far as being a Naval Officer... I definitely do want to be a Naval Officer but I'm not sure if I'm really interested in anything else besides Aviation. so far... I've been thinking Intel, IW, and maybe Supply... but would a redesignation even be possible? and does anyone know if I can serve in the Navy Reserve after redesignating and commissioning? Is that even possible?... like an intel or IW or Supply officer in the Navy Reserve? I came this far, I don't want quit. Thanks for your input...

 

[bert]

If you want to stay in aviation, have you looked at AMDO?

 

[shotcalla10]

i think AMDO folks need engineering background... correct me if i'm wrong... but to be honest, i'd go crazy just watching folks flying all the time. I'm leaning more toward Information Warfare. anyone know about IW community? it's pros and cons also compared to the Intel community... thanks for your input... i would love to use the search function but I'm at OCS and don't have that much time to research so yea... thanks!

 

[FastMover]

Shotcalla, that's tough news. Keep fighting the good fight and things will turn out for you.

 

[bert]

i think AMDO folks need engineering background... correct me if i'm wrong.

Not needed at all. No pre-reqs for AMDO (though you do go to sea so you have to be able to pass a sea-duty screening). I think your resume would come out stronger from IW than Intel - but that is just personal opinion.

 

[shotcalla10]

Not needed at all. No pre-reqs for AMDO (though you do go to sea so you have to be able to pass a sea-duty screening). I think your resume would come out stronger from IW than Intel - but that is just personal opinion.

I spoke to my class officer briefly and he told me that he'll back me up 100% if I want to redesignate so I think if I can get picked up for IW, i'm going with it. I figure it's only 4 years commitment and I still get to be a Line Officer doing something cool. Thanks Bert for your input. the tough part is listening to knuckleheads in my class talking about flight school... anyway, things happen for a reason and I'm just glad to be cruising at OCS going in to week 6. MOBOARDS!

 

[BACONATOR]

I spoke to my class officer briefly and he told me that he'll back me up 100% if I want to redesignate so I think if I can get picked up for IW, i'm going with it. I figure it's only 4 years commitment and I still get to be a Line Officer doing something cool. Thanks Bert for your input. the tough part is listening to knuckleheads in my class talking about flight school... anyway, things happen for a reason and I'm just glad to be cruising at OCS going in to week 6. MOBOARDS!

Hang in there shotcalla. Best of luck with the redesignation!

 

[phrogpilot73]

I'm leaning more toward Information Warfare. anyone know about IW community? it's pros and cons also compared to the Intel community...

PSW knows a think or two about the IW community... She's not feeling well tonight, but she'll try and fill you in on some stuff tomorrow.