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PLC Question:Changing Contracts

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nill

Registered User
I am applying for PLC this summer as a Ground Contract for the 2 6 week sessions. Initially I wanted to go aviation but could not because my eyes did not meet the requirements. Is it possible to get lasik eye surgery after the first increment and then switch over to an air contract before the second increment?
 

reapergm

Member
You can get PRK surgery and switch, but Lasik will DQ you. Right now theyre letting ground contracts switch over to air, but I dont know about next year. Talk to your OSO. Ill ask around TBS for you.
 

theduke

Registered User
just DON'T let any OSOs talk you into switching to NFO while you're waiting to get your eyes fixed to be a pilot. I did that, even though i had NO interest in being an NFO, b/c my OSO told me i had everything to gain and nothing to lose by taking the contract (i.e., i could drop it or switch to pilot whenever i wanted to). well, they're hurting for NFOs, and they wouldn't let me switch. now i'm kinda screwed.

if you're a ground guy, though, you should be able to switch to pilot. the only thing is that they're funny about granting waivers for PRK surgery performed by civilian docs (btw, LASIK is a disqualifier. don't do that.)
 

T-man

Registered User
If you're wondering why Lasik is a DQ: Lasik is a surgery that cuts into your eye and the doc replaces/modifies your eye lense. This DQ's aviator contracts as the military is affraid that due to the large G forces, your eye could pop back open when in a sharp turn or something.

PRK surgery is a surgery that cuts and reshapes the outer surface of the eye. It does not cut into the eye like Lasik does, therefore with PRK, you have no risk of your eyes being damaged in high G flight.
 

samadma

OCC-169 Grad
NFO to AIR Contract Switching

theduke said:
just DON'T let any OSOs talk you into switching to NFO while you're waiting to get your eyes fixed to be a pilot. I did that, even though i had NO interest in being an NFO, b/c my OSO told me i had everything to gain and nothing to lose by taking the contract (i.e., i could drop it or switch to pilot whenever i wanted to). well, they're hurting for NFOs, and they wouldn't let me switch. now i'm kinda screwed.

The OSO still has to submit you for the change of contracts. It's not ultimately up to him. It's up to the Marine Corps on what they do with you. All you need to do is submit a letter to your OSO requesting a change of programs. He has to send it up. If you get denied then, then you're screwed. However, remember that the OSO doesn't make that call Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC) does.

Also, LASIC is a disqualifier for aviation. PRK is the only legal eye surgery you can have for aviation. Yes you can get PRK prior to commissioning and get your contracts changed from Ground to Air. As long as you are qualified by NOMI for the medical side and pass the ASTB. However, there's no guarantee that the PRK surgery will fix your eyes so you can fly. I hope that helps.
 

reapergm

Member
Im SNA in TBS right now. Guess what, I had PRK a year ago by a civilian doc. Im good to go now! Recommend it to EVERYONE!!!
 

theduke

Registered User
^^no, my OSO was in my corner (different OSO than the one who gave me the bad gouge about the NFO contract). it was HQMC that screwed me.

^i got civilian PRK, too, and i got PQ'd as a pilot, but now they're kinda funny about it. i don't know why, but there's a good chance they won't grant the waiver if you get it done through a non-military doctor. make sure you have all of your ducks in a row before you do it.
 

lftmarine

Registered User
I have JUST went through the PRK obstacle course with NAMI, if your going to do it make sure your prepared for whatever, it took me about a year to get physically qualified after graduation from college. My main problem being I was told I was PQ'd by the naval flight surgeon at a local base, everything was fine but I never got my commissioning documents during the semester before I graduated. This was only to find out NAMI held my paperwork for those 6 months because my astigmatism was out of limits. I was faced with either having to switch to ground or have the surgery done and maybe being PQ'd within the air contract. I did have it done as I said, So literally I got commissioned alittle over a yr from the commissioning date I submitted on my original commissioning docs. A year back home is humbling to say the least, I've had to work odd jobs with people that could barely speak english. Didn't help that my parent's home was in a place that has the worst economy in the state. I'm finally off to IFS 11 Apr thank God! The PRK is kinda rolling the dice and they are not excited to PQ you down in NAMI trust me. It takes 3 months after the surgery before they will even start to look at your paperwork to make sure you vision doesn't change rapidly during the healing process, then it will take a few more months for them to decide. If you do it be prepared to change you commissioning date month by month, and have a apt and job lined up also. I suggest getting your barber license for the meantime.
 
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