Aerospace Psych Dual Designators?

[jcm31781]

I’m headed back to Pensacola for some long-awaited shore duty, but also looking forward at career options besides the command track. I’ve been interested in transitioning to Aerospace Experimental Psych (AEP) and have been in touch with a couple of Docs in that field. They’re allowed by reg to apply for the dual designator program along with MD’s and physiologists, but I was wondering, are there actually any current or past dual designated “pilot shrinks” out there?

 

[feddoc]

I’m headed back to Pensacola for some long-awaited shore duty, but also looking forward at career options besides the command track. I’ve been interested in transitioning to Aerospace Experimental Psych (AEP) and have been in touch with a couple of Docs in that field. They’re allowed by reg to apply for the dual designator program along with MD’s and physiologists, but I was wondering, are there actually any current or past dual designated “pilot shrinks” out there?

I have never heard of one.

 

[thedoc]

Thre also hasn't been anyone selected for the dual designator program in quite a few years. The program is basically 'on the shelf' currently. There are plenty of former pilots/nfo's who are now flight surgeons, but they are not considered dual designator or "pilot physicians" in the true sense of the instruction.

 

[D_Rob]

What if someone got their MD and everything and then went to flight school to be an aviator?

 

[MasterBates]

What if someone got their MD and everything and then went to flight school to be an aviator?

I would still apply the standard Flight Doc NATOPS procedures to them-

When flight surgeon or other medical "professional" asks questions:
*1- ADMIT NOTHING - AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
If they persist
*2-IMMEDIATELY DENY EVERYTHING
If doc is still on your case
*3-MAKE COUNTER ACCUSATIONS- As soon as Practicable
If down chit issued
4- Execute song and dance, Page E-69
If NPQ'd
5-Request help from CO/CAG/Higher, and execute Anti-NOMI procedures, Page E-96

 

[Flash]

Thre also hasn't been anyone selected for the dual designator program in quite a few years. The program is basically 'on the shelf' currently. There are plenty of former pilots/nfo's who are now flight surgeons, but they are not considered dual designator or "pilot physicians" in the true sense of the instruction.

A pilot I was going through the Prowler RAG with in 2002 was a Flight Doc/Naval Aviator dual designator, the first in about 10 years. From what he said they had formalized the process and it was up and going after he and a colleague went through with it.

 

[Brett327]

A pilot I was going through the Prowler RAG with in 2002 was a Flight Doc/Naval Aviator dual designator, the first in about 10 years. From what he said they had formalized the process and it was up and going after he and a colleague went through with it.

And he failed to thrive in either designator, career-wise. Terminal O4.

@ OP: Stick with one designator.

Brett

 

[Flash]

And he failed to thrive in either designator, career-wise. Terminal O4.

@ OP: Stick with one designator.

I didn't claim he was successful , just that it had happened somewhat recently.

 

[jcm31781]

Thanks for the inputs. I realize that one of the drawbacks in transitioning (to MC or MSC) is having to take a pay grade cut to build competitive JO fitreps in the new community, but that's a price I'm willing to pay to be able to specialize in something that fascinates me (how pilots and other operators think and make decisions). And, since they have to maintain flight hour minimums just like flight docs, I figured why not try to use the flight experience to do some studying/teaching in the cockpit itself.

We'll see how it works out. Needs of the Navy and all...