Murph

Also read Task Force Dagger; great book. Just finished reading From a Dark Sky by Orr Kelly which explains the story of USAF Special Operations from WW2 through Son Tay raids on up to the first Gulf War.

An AFSOC out of Corpus is possible if you bust your hump. Since I got here I've seen/heard of 4 wingings which included 3 AC-130s, 3 MC-130s and HC-130s. All in all, not too bad. I'm just speculating, but I think the high rate of AFSOC drops is related to the beginning of the fiscal year. Hopefully, the rate continues but who knows what AFPC holds for the future. The best thing you can do is to obviously perform and put the bug in your SQ/CC ear along with the former AFSOC IPs in your squadron. Good luck.

No; that was the class after us. Our video was the Monkey going through UPT.

Well there you have it. Case in point that we all do stupid things when we're young.

That's why you're still a cadet.

I don't think studs lose out with FAIPs. The quality of instruction in my flight was outstanding. And having been a previous flight instructor I'd like to think I have an eye for that sort of thing. I was extremely impressed with the caliber of individuals who were FAIPs.

I thought he flew the highway of death in the hog.

My OTS officer interview was with said "Doc" while he was the vice chief of staff. Sorry for sounding like the square in the group but I had a blast talking to him. Instead of the typical "why the air force?" questions, we talked about CAS, BAI, et al for an hour.

12/P's are trash to begin with. Get a 20/P (Combat Edge).

flightcrazed, Somehow find out who the recruiter's supervisor is and express your concerns that way. I'd like to think that kind of bafoonery would be frowned upon by his NCOIC. Essentially, don't stop working up the chain until you talk to someone who has a clue.

I (along with at least 2 others) in my class maxed it out. It's not that tough IMO. As for doing well at OTS, research it and try to "figure it out." Realize also that if you arent put in positions of importance not because you're a weak leader but because you don't need the experience as much as some other people. For example, in my OTS class Rocker was identified as one of those people deficient in leadership skills so they made him an Upper Flight Commander. No problem though, I think he eventually made it.

I heard that guy likes llamas, a lot.

Swigs, AFI 48-123 states up to 20 degrees of thorassic and 30 deg of lumbar deviation is acceptable. Go to your physician and have him/her take a guess using the procedure in 48-123 if you're that worried. But more than likely you're alright--20 to 30 deg of curvature is pretty Quasimodo.

I know of several people who run around the base here at Vance. I even saw a guy running within the runway perimeter fence.

I'm in the market for a new watch and for those of you who have been through UPT, would you suggest a watch that has an E6B function? Is it more advantageous than than fumbling around with that gargantuan wizz-wheel in the airplane?

Personally, I'd check out the DSM-IV (APA's list of psychiatric disorders and how to diagnose them) at your local library (or perhaps online?) and take a look for yourself at the questions a clinician will ask you to determine your status. Also, don't stop at the checklist, read the entire etiology, subtypes, et al. That may give you a better idea where you stand--this certainly doesn't substitute for a medical opinion, but it's a start.

The key in your case is to meet parts (a) and (B) of the waiver information requirements found below. In my opinion, you may be hard pressed to find a waiver if you are currently suffering from ADD. Currently, many well respected clinicians feel that AD/HD is incompatible with aircrew duties. The reason for the disproportionate number of ADD waivers stems from an incorrect or baseless diagnosis in the past. (a) Must be off medication( e.g.,Ritalin) for a minimum of one year; (B) Current note from primary care provider / Mental Health validating stable status with condition, must summarize the diagnosis, history of treatment, and should rule out any residua of ADHD; © Evidence of successful academic and work endeavors while off medication; and (d) Evidence that applicant was not provided classroom aids such as a private study area, special tutors, additional time to complete assignments or tests.

Two months ago, I was awarded a waiver for a history of AD/HD [resolved]. Currently, there are a disproportionate amount of waiver applicants for a history of AD/HD. My hope in this posting is to cast light upon a previously mysterious waiver process. The application process remains the same as previously mentioned--my suggestion is to have all of above criteria in hand when mentioning it to one's recruiter or flight doc. It eliminates on average of 1-2 months worth of otherwise necessary paperwork requests. In my opinion, I was granted waiver for two reasons: 1 - I received a note from the physician (military) who originally diagnosed me stating that currently I am free of symptoms and that I had his full endorsement to attend flight school. 2 - My recruiter. He was instrumental in the process by efficiently maintaining and keeping track of the paperwork. Good luck to all and feel free to PM me with any questions surrounding the previously uncharted waters of AD/HD waivers.

I'm going to take a wild shot in the dark, but, I'm guessing they drive the same cars as everyone else.

There is a condition known as Barodontolgia (sp?) that exists as a possibly incapacitating pain if it isn't addressed. The pressure differences encountered in UPT training can exert a fair amount of pain if cavities exist. The same goes for if the filling is done in a haphazard manner. Microscopic air bubbles may form and again, exert pressure on the already super-sensitive nerves. MIke

Flightdoc, I know this isn't exactly an STD but out of curiosity, how often do you see personnel with Herpetic Keratitis (dendric ulcers on the cornea, etc)?

To hold you off until FlightDoc can weigh in, AFI 48-123 mentions that anything beyond 30 degrees curvature lumbar and 20 degrees curvature thorassic is disqualifying using the COBB method. My memory is fuzzy, but the COBB method compares the vert where the curvature begins to where it ends to come up with the degree of deviation (try doing a google search).

I have some additional questions in response to the ADHD waiver process. Number one, how would I go about "proving" my case in something as ambiguous as this. Would it be as simple as bringing in a set of transcripts with good grades after I was off the medication? Or would it be as cumbersome as the spanish inquisition? Also, I'm not sure if it matters or not but my AFOQT scores and PCSM are decent (97 and 99) and are a product of me being OFF the medication, would that factor into the decision to grant me a waiver? Again, the presence of my ADHD was so minimal that I am beginning to think it was a mis-diagnosis (again, not sure if that means anything since I'm not a flight doc or surgeon). Number two, so I don't waste bandwidth and your time, do you have any additional literature (AFIs, websites, etc) other than AFI 48-123 that I can read to familiarize myself with not only the waiver process involved (what i need to do etc,) but also what the chances of obtaining a waiver are based on my individual set of circumstances. For any other folks out there with a similar condition or set of circumstances, I found some URL's that may help with obtaining a waiver specific to ADHD.. The first of which is the Waiver Guidelines at Brooks. This delineates the problems and effects of ADHD and gives a broad explanation of how it pertains to performance in UPT and obtaining an FC1. https://quicksand.brooks.af.mil/web/af/afc/table.htm The second is a statement from AETC HQ. It explains the four fold process for obtaining a waiver. Pretty straight forward stuff and encouraging for people who think they "grew out" of the condition. https://www.afms.mil/aetcsg/SGPS/links/adhd.pdf Any ideas on what requirements are necessary to fulfill the standards for passing a FC1? In other words, from your experience, what have these "case by case" situations demanded of the applicant? Neurological tests? Time in office with a psychologist? Thanks Flight Doc!

Hey FlightDoc (or anyone else intimately familiar with the standards prescribed in afi 48-123).... Will having a prescription for ritalin, as a result of being diagnosed with ADHD while in middle and high school, disqualify me for an FC1? I havent received a prescription since I left high school and am beginning to think it was a mis-diagnosis to begin with since my grades have actually improved post-secondary education (not that all that matters really, or does it?). Also... I'm filling out my paperwork for MEPS and have a few questions regarding the Yes or No responses. Maybe I'm being over-analytical but, questions like "Have you ever had allergies?" ... I havent had hay fever or been allergic to pollen but I have an allergy to Sulfa-based drugs, would me being allergic to Sulfa require a Yes response to allergies? Thanks flight doc! [ 12 November 2002, 12:19: Message edited by: Flight Doc ]