Help with getting around a PDQ
 

I was recently selected for Air Force UPT through the Reserves and even more recently permanently disqualified (PDQ) because of a herniated disc (lumbar) I got almost 4 years ago. They wouldn't even let me go to MEPS. My journey pretty much ended before it even got started. Basically I was over diagnosed by a workers comp doc just trying to cover his rear end. At this day and time my condition is no where near what the doc's report says. I could totally live of disability for the rest of my life according to that report. I know that if I could just get a MEPS physical they would see that I'm not in a wheelchair like they think I am. I also have letters from two other docs who say I am perfectly fine for military service which I gave to the recruiter.

Thankfully the unit hasn't given up on me but they are very limited in what they can do and basically told me that it would be up to me to resolve this. I know people get through things like this all the time but how do they do it? No one seems to know where to even start or who to talk to. Please help! Does anyone know the process to overturn a military PDQ? I am ready to fight!

BTW-going to another branch is not an option. I'm too old for the other services (27), plus I was told it was a military wide PDQ.

I was in a similar situation (got selected by a reserve unit to go to UPT), but was DQ'd at age 29 because I would not have made the cut-off...my unit did what they could, but HQ at Warner-Robbins gave it a "thumbs-down".

Anyways, at 27, you are still eligible for the Army (and Reserve if you are prior...as I've read); and the Coast Guard has or had an officer program called Blue21 that had a cut-off of 31 (if your school met the eligibility requirements)...check their websites.

Good luck and I hope everything works out for you!

"They" may continue to balk at your condition because you'll have to fly an ejection seat airplane in pilot training, which doesn't mix well with back injuries in case you have to "give it back to the taxpayers."

One piece of advice, though, that I got from a general a long time ago...don't take "no" from someone who's not authorized to say "yes." When someone tells you they can't help you, ask them politely who is the next person up the chain of command, then call that person and reengage.

Good luck, I hope you can get past this!

I have no experience in a situation like yours. Why not go back to the original doctor, tell him what you are trying to do, and see if the diagnosis can be changed? Perhaps he made an error?

If that doesn't work, contact your local representatives. Maybe they can help?

Ultimately I think Hrkdrivr is correct. Any prior back injuries are going to be perceived as a big issue -- especially when it comes to flying ejection seat aircraft. I am not sure if the T-34 has been fully replaced by the T-6. If not, you could go T-34s and then to C-12/T-1s to avoid the ejection seat. The problem is, you're on the outside trying to work this. And the military typically doesn't work these types of waivers for those on the outside. If you were already in the pilot pipeline when all of this happened, things would be very different.

Good luck.

In your situation, knowledge is power. The following link will guide you through what medical conditions are waiverable or not. http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/share.../AFI48-123.pdf Additionally, you may need to talk with a Air Force Flight Surgeon to determine if you condition is included in the Aircrew Waiver Guide. FWIW, granted I'm not a physician, but from what you described in your initial post your condition may not be waiverable. If you were already a rated asset needing a medical waiver, that's one thing. But as others have said, in your situation it's highly unlikely. Hope it works out for you.

Were you on disability for the whole 4 years? Are you currently collecting disability? If any of the above is true, my guess is that you have an uphill battle.

Why on earth did you give them a doctor diagnosis from 4 years ago? You're screwed and won'tget past this due to the times we are in. Sorry to be blunt, but you hosed yourself.

He was trying to do the right thing and be honest... Unfortunately, you're honesty here has probably permanently DQ'd you. There is no reason for them to put in a waiver (especially for what sounds like pretty serious back issues) when there are hundreds, if not thousands trying to achieve the same goal that don't require waivers. And like Lil J Said, the entire military is in the process of downsizing and cutting back, so pilot slots will be hard enough to get when you have nothing working against you (ie past medical issues).

Still, don't take 'No' for an answer until you've exhausted all options.

Good Luck

This is what I would do.

To answer everyone's questions, no, I was never on disability. It was offered to me but I turned it down because I knew I didn't need it and I actually have goals and aspirations in my life. The diagnosing doc refuses to see me. He says its "unethical". All I asked him was just to look me over again (several months later) to see if I was still in the same condition. I know that I am not. How am I still able to play basketball, lift weights, play with my kids, help people move, etc, if supposedly my back is in bad shape? According to his report I should not be able to do those things. This injury does not effect my life in any way, shape, or form. I carry on as if nothing ever happened. All I'm looking for is someone who knows what my options are. "Don't take no for an answer" How when the recruiter won't talk to me anymore? Who do I go to about this? I asked him who was above him and anyone else I could talk to and he wouldn't give me any info. I'm asking for specific offices to call. MEPS, surgeon general, etc,...who? I divulged this information because all members of the military that I talked to about going this route advised me to be honest.

Hey man, crappy situation you're in. Have you posted your question over at baseops or air force ots. Might be helpful to expand your search, sometimes there are medical folks over there who might be able to assist. A few reserve postings I've seen require meps physical prior to interview, I'm assuming to avoid this type a situation. Good luck

ff615-I just registered on baseops. Thanks for the info. The recruiter wouldn't send me to MEPS because he said it was a waste of money to send me if I haven't even been selected. Then after I got DQ'd he said that's why I need to go to MEPS first so this doesn't happen...go figure?

Thanks again!

Dude ... Talk to your local representatives. Go see a doctor who is willing to put in writing that the other Doc's diagnosis is wrong. You need bigger fire power.

Bro, try to pm me here. If that doesn't work pm me on the other sites i mentioned not sure if I need a certain number of post on this site to pm. I was PDQ'D for something less serious, in my eyes at least. My recruiter helped a lot.

I was/am in a similar situation as yourself. Broke my arm in college decided to have a plate put in to fix the break rather than take a chance with just a cast. No big deal arm works great and have zero issues with it. MEPS gave me a PDQ and upon digging more and more I found out I should have had an orthopedic evaluation done by the military first. Then taken those findings with me to MEPS to give to the Doctor there that gives you your evaluation. Instead I went in the wrong direction by the recruiter and have according to him a PDQ. Apparently they last 10 years and by the time mine expires I'll be too old for flight school. From reading your post I don't know how you got the PDQ without even going to MEPS. AFAIK they only way to get the PDQ is from the Army Surgeon General as explained to me. Talk to your recruiter about some kind of evaluation that can be done and take that report with you to MEPS. If you really are fine you shouldn't have an issue, but I can be totally way off base here though because I'm just explaining it to you as I was told by recruiters.

While some ideas here are good, the ejection seat issue is the problem. All USAF UPT starts in T-6s, ejection seats! Having badly damaged a good back in an ejection, Lord knows what happens to a disc problem on an ejection. The AF said, "no ejection seats" after my surgery. Centrifuge got a friend of mine's back, too.

Give it the good fight, good luck, but doubtful. I lost several battles arguing for UPT candidates medicals, most were color vision, though.

GF