PDQ'd

[meb6385]

Hey everyone. I'm in the process of applying for a pilot slot and I've taken all the tests and done all the paperwork. I went through the MEPS physical and everything, today I call a call from my recruiter saying I was PDQ'd on account of my childhood asthma. I'm pretty down about this, because everything was finally starting to fall into place. Is this something to worry about, I haven't actually had any problems since elementary school. I've played soccer and basketball all my life as well as worked out religiously for the past 7 years. How serious is this PDQ?

mike

 

[Gabe2surf]

If there is no medical paperwork proving that you had asthma I would definitely keep trying and talk to someone about it(other recruiters). If the asthma paperwork exist, you can try for a waiver. I don't know what your chances are with an asthma background though. Either way, keep trying and don't get discouraged.

 

[airgreg]

Mike,

I think I'm in a similar situation. I'm not as far as you in the process yet, but I did some research on the whole asthma issue.

From what I can tell, the waiver process consists of getting a Methacholine Challenge Test. This is a special type of pulmonary function test where they pump the drug methacholine into your lungs and increase the dosage until your airways start to see some restriction. Eventually everyone will see some dropoff in lung performance, but apparently this will trigger an asthma attack if you still "have" asthma. After you take the test, a pulmonary function specialist doctor will write a review of your lung performance based on the results.

I took this test through a private doctor and passed with flying colors. I'm currently waiting to hear back from my recruiter on whether this private doctor result is acceptable to the navy. But at least I know I can pass if the navy makes me take it again.

I didn't think the test was that difficult, but I've been a pretty active athlete my whole life and my history of "asthma" is sketchy at best. I think it's something that doctors misdiagnose a lot these days whenever someone has a little breathing problem.

Anyway, it sounds like you might be in a similar situation as me. Whatever happens, don't let the whole process discourage you especially if you're healthy. I have friends who got asthma waivers for both the marines and navy. Hope this helps and let me know if you have anymore questions.

-Greg

 

[Mcaf]

Airgeg,
Definitely keep us updated with your situation. Mine is pretty much a carbon copy of yours. I went to medical once back when I was enlisted with a cough that didn't seem to go away so the chief wrote up that he thinks I have asthma. Next thing I knew I was taking a Methane Coline challenge to stay in the Navy. I passed easily because like i told every doctor I saw I did not have asthma. My aunt is a doctor and I told her about my situation, she said sometimes you can keep a cough up to 6 months without a huge concern. She was also quite surprised by the chief's quickness to diagnose like he did(oh well nav medicine). Of course since its in my med record I had to divulge this info to the doc during my flight physical. He said he would send the challenge to the board but he didn't know what they will say. That was about 5 weeks ago and I haven't heard anything since. I am scheduled to go on an aviation cruise this summer so I should be finding out relatively soon.

 

[airgreg]

this is a link to the Navy med page dealing with asthma waivers. It's written in medicalese but maybe it'll give you some insight...

http://www.nomi.med.navy.mil/NAMI/WaiverGuideTopics/respiratory.htm

 

[Gator]

Up until I was age 5 I had been hospitalized because of asthma more times than I care to remember. The doctors told me that I would never be able to play sports or have any kind of active life. I started playing sports when I was 6 and played all the way through high school. When I went into the Corps out of high school. On my physical at MEPs I told them that I had been hospitalized for childhood asthma, but had not had any kind of problems since I was around 4 or 5 years old. They didn't require me to perform any additional tests and they gave me a waiver. When I took my initial flight physical for BDCP I put the same information down and I was accepted without even being questioned about it. My whole point is that it is possible to get a waiver, so keep on trying. Good luck!

 

[airgreg]

Has anyone applied for or received a waiver recently?

I went to MEPS 6 weeks ago. The MEPS doctor said he had to medically disqualify me for childhood asthma, but he recommended me for a waiver. From what I understand, his recommendation automatically sent my medical records to Tennessee for official waiver consideration.

However, it's been 6 weeks now and I'm getting a little anxious. I'm worried that my medical records are buried on someone's desk and will never see the light of day.

If anyone has any insight on how long medical waiver requests are taking right now, I'd appreciate any info. Am I getting screwed on the wait time? Or is this just Situation Normal, AFU?

Thanks for any insight.
-Greg

 

[Hartman]

Greg, I’m not sure I understand you. Are you saying that your medical records (w/ recommendation for waiver) went to Tenn., or your entire application went to Tenn. for review?

I guess I don’t really understand how this whole process works either. I had PRK surgery, and as I expected, I was NPQ’d for pilot during my physical…BUT the doctor recommended me for a waiver. My recruiter has told me that it’s up to the board at this point to actually grant the waiver. My packet (w/ recommendation for waiver) is being sent to Tenn. today. I’m not sure what to expect for the time of response. I’ve seen people on this forum get accepted in 6 days, but my recruiter has told me to expect 4-6 weeks to pass before I will get a response.

 

[airgreg]

Hartman, supposedly just my medical records went to Tennessee. My recruiter still has my application package and I haven't even done the physical fitness test (run, pushups, situps) yet.

Considering the large number of applicants right now and your 4-6 week number, it seems like the waiver process could take a long time. I'm at 6 weeks waiting right now.

My recruiter didn't want me to complete all the other application items yet until we find out about the waiver.

Best of luck with your application.
-Greg

 

[RC]

I know this doesnt help but Ive only seen 2 waivers. One was really quick and the other is still in limbo and thats been 6 months.

The thing here is...Dont stop. Do research, find out every rule, test, procedure and stay on your recruiters ass.

If you settle for nothing now, you'll settle for nothing later.

Good Luck guys...im pulling for all of you.



Edited by - RC on 06/27/2002 09:37:19

 

[airgreg]

RC,
6 months? You're starting to scare me.

Prior to going to MEPS, I had a lung test and a consult with a private doctor who verified that I don't have asthma. Also, the MEPS doctor said that although he "had" to DQ me, my waiver application "should be a slam dunk".

I've basically already had 2 doctors say I don't have asthma, so I'm worried about this long wait. Not much I can do but wait...

Does anyone know if there is a way to check whether Tennessee has even received the waiver request?

 

[meb6385]

I have recently had my kit sent up through the ranks in Houston. I first had to get cleared by the Houston Navy Doctor, who then sent my kit to Tennessee, where I hear waivers are virtually impossible. My recruiter says, they have never subimitted a waiver request that came back approved. I had to wait 6 weeks while the Houston Doctors sat on their hands and held my kit, only to have them look at it one day and recommend a waiver. This was different than the meps doctors, who also recommeded for a waiver. So Meps was first, then my completed package was sent to Houston Doctors, who also recommended a waiver, I have passed the Pulmonary Function Test with a private doctor, been declared to not have asthma, and not ever had asthma and now all of that is being reviewed in CNRC. But still my recruiter tells me it's basically a lost cause, that it will come back negative. So basically I will just have to keep jumping through hoops until either I quit trying, or there is sufficient proof that I am physically qualified. As you can tell, I'm learning patience. I hope this isn't bad news for anyone, it's just my situation.

 

[DMan]

Airgreg,

>My recruiter didn't want me to complete all the other application items yet until we find out about the waiver.

I don't know what else you have completed for your package (ASTB, PRT, Recommendation letters, application forms, college transcripts), if you haven't, I would highly recommend you neglect what your recruiter said and go ahead and push to have all these done. That way, if luck is on your side and the waiver is granted, you can turn in your package right away.

The other reason you want to have everything else done ASAP is letting yourself more time in case you want to improve on a specific aspect of your package. e.g. ASTB has a time limit for retaking (30 days for 1st retake and 180 days for subsequent ones); reducing your runtime takes a while even if you run frequently. I'm not saying you are not competent, just want to give yourself some leeway in case you need it.

For me, I'm waiting to get my citizenship, should get it in 9 months. But my recruiter told me to get everthing done NOW so I can have more time to improve my package if I need to.

On the waiver, I talked to a lot of pilots (Marine Corps) and they all said there's a waiver for everthing. You just have to be persistent if you didn't get it the first time. Also, they told me to get retested if I fail anything (medical and what not), you might pass the 2nd time. Moreover, if that's what you really want, by showing you are persistent and keep coming back, this is what they like to see!

Based on what you told us, I have a good feeling about your waiver. But if not, keep trying! I'm 29 and gonna need a waiver too, if I don't get it, I'll keep trying until I turn 40!!! So far I have good experiences with recruiters (Enlisted and Officers) but remember, this is your career, your future and your a$$! Be aggressive and push for what you want!

Hope it helps.

DMan

 

[Vic]

Dman,
Where are you from? I got my citizenship two years ago. You need to check up with them INS guys. I went in there after nine months of waiting just to make sure everything was alright, and it turned out it wasn't. They had lost my packet and I had to resubmit. I kept my receipt, so I didn't have to pay again. Where you or are you in the military?

Don't sweat the small stuff!

Edited by - vic on 06/28/2002 01:14:29

 

[airgreg]

DMan,
Thanks for the advice. I've already done the big stuff in the application process. EPSQ, letters of rec, I passed the ATSB with good scores, transcripts. I think the only major thing I haven't done is my physical test. But I'm not too worried about that because I'm in pretty good shape.

Anyway, I already have 2 doctos saying I don't have asthma, so it sounds like I just have to wait some more. I just wanted to find out if the 6 weeks was typical or not. If I get rejected, I'll just have to keep going...

thanks for the advice guys,
-Greg