Air Force Physical
 

I'm about to schedule my Air Force physical... my first step towards a Guard or Reserve job. I'm curious about what to expect. I have a first class medical, is it a similar examination? I'm sure I could ask a recruiter this, but I wanted an actual military pilot's explanation. Thanks for the help!

No, your FAA FC1 is a sinch and is different. Since I just did a SECOND initial flying class physical for the chair force last week, allow me to give you some idea of what you're in for.

The physical will most likely take ALL day. Do plan accordingly. Drink PLENTY of water the day before and during the morning. Also, you must fast. I think they want a minimum of 12-16 hours. Secondly, DO NOT expose yourself to loud sounds the day before or of. (I wear ear plugs the morning of my physical from the minute I wake up until I am walking into the facility). On the day of the physical, wear comfortable clothing (ask your recruiter).

You will have the following done to you:

Hearing test (sitting in a booth, with a headset on, click to the beeps)
Eye test (near & far eyesight, color test, depth perception, glucoma test, and a few other bizarre tests)
Labs (they are going to take 8 .. yes, eight viles of blood from you)
DNA (they will have you sign a DNA release and you'll be enterred into the system)
RAT (reading out loud test, you will have to read some stupid paragraph out loud)
Vital Signs Check
-Blood pressure (no higher than 140/90) in a sitting, standing, laying down, and then after 2 minutes of exercise with a 60 second break)
-Pulse (same thing as BP check)
-Temperature
Foot Prints
EKG (if you are 35 or older)
Urine Test (diabetes and drug testing) (you will have to fill up two bottles and you'll be monitored (good times))
You will fill out a questionaire of about 100 or so questions ... have you had this, have you done this, etc.etc.
Exam by a Filght Surgeon (he will review your forms, ask a lot of questions, then have you breathe deep and listen to your chest, look in your eyes, ears, mouth, you will have to valsalva, he will give you physical reach and strengths tests (he will restrict your arms and legs and have you push and pull)
Dental Exam (they will take x-rays and you will see a dentist for an exam of your teeth) If you have issues, you will not be Flying Class 1.

That is the first part of the Initial.

Then, assuming you pass that, they will schedule you for a visit to Brooks Air Force Base in San Antonio. You will get more color eye testing, check to see if you had PRK or LASIK, and will take video of your heart (to see if you have any defects). Also, you will get a 400+ question psychological exam (not the MNPI).
I think this is just about it. I think I have most of it, but I might be forgeting something.

GOOD LUCK!!!

-Fatty

How are YOU scheduling a physical? MEPS? I know they wont let you schedule a Flying Class 1 on your own now.. u have to go through meps and have a recruiter schedule you and then travel to Texas...

I have just gone through the process and it is nothing like an FAA medical. The first step is the MEPS. This is where they send everyone regardless of your branch of job. You will spend an entire day getting basic vision, blood, hearing, and urine tests. 99% of the other people there are not looking to fly. For me about 90% were enlisting in the Marines or Army, only 10% where looking for a commission, and I was the only pilot. For pilot applicants, it is almost completely useless. It is nothing more than a basic physical that last all day because there are many people the examiners have to go through. As long as you have no major problems, you will get through MEPS with no problem. Just realize that passing MEPS in no way means you pass your flight physical. MEPS tests the same thing as your flight physical pretty much, but to much lower standards. The MEPS is designed to see if you are fit for military duty, not specifically flight duty.

After that, you will wait until you get a commission to be a pilot (assuming you applied to be one). If you do get one, you have to return to the MEPS again where you wait all day for a doctor to ask you if anything has changed since the last time you were there. You answer no and then you wait for the flight physical. For your flight physical, they will test mostly the same things as the MEPS, but to a higher standard and more in depth. Some of the testing includes measurements of your body in a seated position to make sure you will fit in a cockpit, numerous blood pressure readings (over 10 for me), every vision test under the sun, a dental examination, and a hearing test to name a few.

If you would like detailed information on the MEPS or the flight physical, let me know. I have just finished this process so everything is still fresh in my head.

You can schedule your appointments. My recruiter always gave me list few dates to pick from and if none of them worked, they were always flexible.

Things have probably changed - but I never went to MEPS for any physical evaluation. Matter of fact - when they found out that I was getting a Flight Physical - they ran me out of MEPS and sent me right over to Tinker.

USMCFLYR

What exactly are they looking for on the dental exam for FC1? I have two false teeth, but otherwise no cavities etc? Is it mostly a general dental exam?
Also, I understand migraines are a no no but I haven't had one for at least 5 years. Would I need a waiver for for something this old?
If I get to the point of needing to get a FC1, I know for dang sure I'll be nervous, I will definitely be needing at least one waiver.

Piper why are you scheduling a medical prior to a board? From what I understand this is done after selection by a board? so says my recruiter?
Thx

The dental exam is to see if you have any cavities are poorly done fillings. They are not disqualifying, but they want to make sure they are filled and filled properly before your are put in a pressurized aircraft.

I think a completed FC1 is part of an AD OTS applicant's package, so I bet the OP is going this route.

AFRC used to pump you through the physical process beforehand when they still allowed at-large candidates, but shut that down when they required you to be sponsored by a unit to meet the board.

AFRC candidates: Your FC1 does not need to be done at Brooks. Only MFS does. Just thought I'd toss that out and save you the pain.

Thanks a lot for the responses guys. I'm pretty excited to get this whole process started, a little nervous at the same time. As far as I know, there is nothing wrong with my health... hopefully I'm not unpleasantly surprised with something at the physical. Again, thanks for the input, that was exactly why I wanted to ask about this on APC!