The Doctor is in! Ask a Flight Surgeon!

[bailey8756]

Is it possible to get NAMI completed prior to OCS? I’ve heard there’s a big backup at OCS for NAMI physicals. I’m AD and have do have access to a flight surgeon.

Edit: answer is yes.

 

[bailey8756]

Is it possible to get NAMI completed prior to OCS? I’ve heard there’s a big backup at OCS for NAMI physicals. I’m AD and have do have access to a flight surgeon.

Edit: answer is yes.

New question, does anybody know how long the initial NAMI approval is good for? I got mine in January this year and my OCS date is in November.

 

[Randomranger900]

Is it possible to get into aviation if you wear glasses without getting laser eye surgery? In what areas is the flight physical more strict than the evaluation in MEPS? Is the flight physical mostly focused on the eyes?

 

[FormerRecruitingGuru]

Is it possible to get into aviation if you wear glasses without getting laser eye surgery? In what areas is the flight physical more strict than the evaluation in MEPS? Is the flight physical mostly focused on the eyes?

MEPS only does a standard military entrance exam, they do not have the capability (nor is it their job) to do special duty screenings which is where NAMI comes in.

You can Google NAMI Guide and read on the specific vision requirements. 20/40 uncorrected vision correctable to 20/20 is the standard rule of thumb, so you could have 20/30 or 20/40 uncorrected vision and wear glasses as needed.

For more details and see where your vision comes in check out the NAMI Guide.

 

[SkyBronco]

Is it possible to get into aviation if you wear glasses without getting laser eye surgery? In what areas is the flight physical more strict than the evaluation in MEPS? Is the flight physical mostly focused on the eyes?

Check the NAMI waiver guide for details but your uncorrected vision (without glasses) must be 20/40 and corrected (with glasses) must be 20/20.

 

[Mouselovr]

Edit: answer is yes.

This is the way to do it.
NAMI medical in Newport always seems to be clogged. It’s worth doing for the peace of mind that you’re qualified AND you won’t wait in a holding pool post grad.

New question, does anybody know how long the initial NAMI approval is good for? I got mine in January this year and my OCS date is in November.

Prior E Guy in my OCS class had his within the year as well. I only remember it bc he was one of a select few who had orders/ walked out on time post grad.

I don’t know the exact expiration date.

 

[Mouselovr]

Is it possible to get into aviation if you wear glasses without getting laser eye surgery?

You can wear corrective lenses in the aircraft as long as you meet minimum standards for SNA or SNFO. Many of us do.

In what areas is the flight physical more strict than the evaluation in MEPS?

As other said, NAMI waiver guide covers it all. There are many conditions that disqualify you from general military service. Even more that disqualify you from flying.

Is the flight physical mostly focused on the eyes?

Generically speaking, yes. But it depends if you need waivers/your prior history/other consults.

 

[bailey8756]

This is the way to do it.
NAMI medical in Newport always seems to be clogged. It’s worth doing for the peace of mind that you’re qualified AND you won’t wait in a holding pool post grad.

Prior E Guy in my OCS class had his within the year as well. I only remember it bc he was one of a select few who had orders/ walked out on time post grad.

I don’t know the exact expiration date.

Good to know, thanks. I’ll look into it more. Mine will hit a year while at OCS.

 

[Mouselovr]

Good to know, thanks. I’ll look into it more. Mine will hit a year while at OCS.

You’ll see the flight docs in the first week of being there so you’ll know early on whats needed.

 

[Gatordev]

It's been a minute, but I believe pre-commissioning physicals (which is what your initial long-form NAMI physical is) are good for 12 months.

Flight physicals are good for 12 months unless waivered (which isn't going to happen in a student status).

 

[bailey8756]

It's been a minute, but I believe pre-commissioning physicals (which is what your initial long-form NAMI physical is) are good for 12 months.

Flight physicals are good for 12 months unless waivered (which isn't going to happen in a student status).

Just confirmed this with the clinic at OCS. They said the letters are good 12 months from when they are dated and expire at the end of the dated month. My letter was dated 05 Feb 2025 and will expire 28 Feb 2026 (2 days after I graduate lol. Hope I don’t get rolled!)

 

[Mouselovr]

Just confirmed this with the clinic at OCS. They said the letters are good 12 months from when they are dated and expire at the end of the dated month. My letter was dated 05 Feb 2025 and will expire 28 Feb 2026 (2 days after I graduate lol. Hope I don’t get rolled!

You might need some more details.

If the letters are good for 12 months, will OTCN flight medicine give you something equivalent to a short form annual flight physical or will they need to redo the entire initial flight physical to keep it current?

It expires 28Feb. But youll see the flight doc early Nov when you first get to OCS.

If you graduate on time, you have 3 days to PCS to Pensacola (assuming you go straight there). You won’t be able to see NAMI before 28Feb in Pcola for your first upchit with that quick of a turn around.

 

[Mouselovr]

Flight physicals are good for 12 months unless waivered (which isn't going to happen in a student status).

When I went med down in flight school, my flight physical lapsed for ~14 months. I was on med TAD so there was no way for me to do my annual. When time came to get me back up post waiver, they did a long form.

 

[bailey8756]

You might need some more details.

If the letters are good for 12 months, will OTCN flight medicine give you something equivalent to a short form annual flight physical or will they need to redo the entire initial flight physical to keep it current?

It expires 28Feb. But youll see the flight doc early Nov when you first get to OCS.

If you graduate on time, you have 3 days to PCS to Pensacola (assuming you go straight there). You won’t be able to see NAMI before 28Feb in Pcola for your first upchit with that quick of a turn around.

Not sure, didn’t think to ask about that. I was under the impression I only needed it to commission and then when it expired I would be doing another long-form in Pensacola anyways before starting training. Would you recommend just doing another long form before OCS so it will carry me until summer of next year? I’m a Seabee and have absolutely no idea how all this medical stuff works

 

[Mouselovr]

Would you recommend just doing another long form before OCS so it will carry me until summer of next year?

Once you check into Pensacola and get your 1st actual upchit from NAMI, you’ll only need annual flight physicals based on your birth month. Not 12 months from the initial appointment.

For example, within a week of checking into Pensacola, I had to walk out of NAMI with my 1st upchit then directly into Flight medicine to start my annual upchit process as my birthday was 2 months later. My initial flight physical had been completed within 3 months.

Point being, it’s a convo to have with flight doc when you get to Newport to see if you can avoid some headaches, but they’ve got a process for this