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Think about all the people in this country who would, without question, suck start the shit out of a pitot tube if I told them it was the safest way to test it...I’m a pilot, so therefore an expert and everything I say regarding planes is true, and cannot be critically examined or questioned!

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jun/01/wuhan-coronavirus-lab-leak-covid-virus-origins-china "Because if the hypothesis is right, it will soon start to dawn on people that our mistake was not insufficient reverence for scientists, or inadequate respect for expertise, or not enough censorship on Facebook. It was a failure to think critically about all of the above, to understand that there is no such thing as absolute expertise."

Happy Memorial Day As I saw all the social media posts about fallen military members, I was struck by the number of suicides mentioned. It’s such a sad thing and always surprising that people don’t seek help. It reminded me of a time a few years back when I was talking to a bro going through some bad times and I suggested he seek out some mental health services and replied that he didn’t want to do that because he would be DNIF’d and “flying is the only thing that makes me happy.” He ended up fine and got through it with a combination of booze and flying a ton. What’s the opinion of this esteemed body about aviators using mental health services? I hate to admit it, but I don’t think I would seek help from the various services offered for the fear of being DNIF.

One day we will pull our heads out and do proper risk assessment on COVID. One day…until then let the FEAR run wild

Great thread idea. I was inspired to reply after a long time lurking. From personal experience, no, I did not have confidence in the military system. We lost an aircraft and crew and it seemed like the base was unprepared for that contingency, especially when it came to the mental health of other aircrew. For the TL;DR version: the bro network and an outside mental health provider (who was prior Army infantry) helped me quite a bit. So did flying; it was one of the things that was a reminder of the good times I had with those guys and kept me mentally grounded. A bunch of peers also found help through outside organizations and even the VA Mental Health personnel. Being prior emergency services, I am a huge believer in early intervention following a traumatic event, along the CISM model, which combines mental health professionals and trained peers. It still surprises me that after two decades of war, there isn't a DOD wide effort to replicate that safety net which I positively experienced on several occasions in my civilian career.

The corona virus special was pretty hilarious (first one, not the second one)

But the science indicates it evolved naturally and didn’t escape from the bio weapons lab! We have to trust the science; it’s “settled” so don't ask questions.

Last week oil, this week beef. First, WTF is going on? Second, if I'm forced to eat soy products, that's my line for going kinetic.

As a 20+ yr fighter guy, I’ve learned more reading this thread than at any academic session or training on how MAF works Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

Agree with 95% of this. But my issue with military Mental Health providers is that I don't really trust them. Just like I don't really trust the flight doc when I fill out my PHA questionnaire and get to the drinking question. I can look up the disqualifying conditions, but I don't trust some yahoo at Mental Health to tell the difference between stress because of my 15-year-old learning to drive and generalized anxiety disorder.

Thanks for this timely thread. During Mental Health First Aid Instructor training, I learned that -at a minimum- the following are available: (1) Chaplain - as StrikeOut mentioned, completely confidential, (2) Military OneSource Providers - 12 free confidential sessions, (3) Bro network, (4) Out-of-pocket provider and, of course, (5) Base Clinic - DNIF being a distinct possibility. It's not a counseling service, per se, but on-base an Mental Health First Aid class is an opportunity to meet folks who care about these types of issues or are experiencing them themselves. It's also a civilian clothes, first name basis class that can lead to more informal support. That and Leadership should consider it an alternate duty location. For those who want long-term help but are worried about DNIF, look up DoD Accession Disqualifying and Air Force DNIF-ing conditions - all Public Doman. I'm not a provider, but am of the opinion that "if the issue is serious" it's probably going to manifest itself in flying or elsewhere in Air Force life. That is, if you're honest with your bro's and the ORM sheet... Take care and Fly Safe!

I think both the AF and FAA like to talk a good game about access to mental health for pilots, but I don’t trust them to not take flying status away.

Just for some data. My parents both got the J&J about 2.5 months ago. Both tested positive for covid about 10 days ago. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk