As the result of flying fighters, I flew cargo (C-5) AND got to live with back pain. A two-fer! I don't know a tactical guy without back or neck pain. A friend has a spine surgeon on speed dial.

Liftr92,

It's not the IQ, it's having a reasonably humane personality that disqualifies you!

GF

 

I would try to see a doctor who is willing to see you "off the record." With the electronic medical records, where one doctor can pull up your entire history, keeping something like this a secret will be extremely difficult.

Do not quote me on this, but I am fairly certain that any heart issues as a potential pilot candidate would be disqualifying.

Back when I went through, we had to go down to Brooks AFB in Texas and have a echocardiogram video of our hearts made and sent to the flight surgeon.

 

If you do, probably the same guy who has sons instead of daughters. He needed to pull more Gs. I got the three girls and two back surgeries. One surgery was probably not related. The girls and other surgery probably are....

 

One son, no back or neck problems (other than just getting old), 21 years of tactical flying. Granted yes, most of that was in the mighty Mud Hen. However, I'll counter that with also doing a 3.5 year tour flying the AT-38 as an IFF IP - back in the parachute days. It can be done, don't believe the rumors.

And you know what? Flying fighters, while it entails mental and physical work, is damn fun. Along with every other type of flying (hard work yet fun). To the OP - never, ever close any doors based on your personal preconceived notions. Let your own performance and actions during UPT help determine your future, based on your desires and the needs of the AF. However, if a guard/reserve unit hires you you likely won't have a choice in what you fly unless it's an unsponsored hire by AFRC. And there's always that chance that halfway through your UPT course you'll find out the Guard unit that hired you is converting to RPAs!

Remember, the guard and reserve are great, but (at least for the AFR) the grass isn't greener - it's just a different shade of green. An overused saying but all too true. I've been in the RegAF for 17 years, Reserve for 5, and have been an ART, IMA, and AGR. I've loved every part of my entire AF career. Never been in the Guard so won't talk to that but I'm sure you'll find a few Guard guys who are willing to admit it's a true statement.

 

Re. daughters...it's probably not the G's, it's probably the O2 partial pressure or pressure changes. Navy divers and submariners have the same problem.

 

Whats the military's stance on people that get motion sick? Will they award them fighter slots? Would you recommend AF or Navy?

 

Nah if you get motion sick and can't get used to it you'll wash out of training. They will work with you a lot as long as you have the drive, but at a certain point they will give you the boot.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Never been a problem for me, because my IQ is so low, I didn't know any better! With that said, I guess that the ladies always seem to like the dumb ones then....

I crack myself up!

 

Friend of mine got really sick... They had what we referred to the spin and puke. He kept at it until he couldn't puke any more. He finally got over it but a few didn't.

 

Over 2k hours in the 130 and I still occasionally get queezy. Usually at 300A low levels when I'm fatigued. It's mostly mental IMHO...good diet, rest, hydration and air conditioning can do wonders. Very few guys actually wash out for it.