Expert: Howard Lorenz - 2/23/2008

Question
Mr. Lorenz:
I was a US Air Force Navigator-select; I passed the MEPS physical (with the exception of the depth-perception test), and all the other steps of the commissioning process leading up to the flight physical at Wright-Patterson on March 27, 2007. There, I admitted to a flight surgeon that I had inhaled freon once 8 years ago. My recruiters and I were under the impression I was still a Navigator-select, but just 3 days ago, I was informed that SG (I assume the office of the Surgeon General of the USAF) permanently disqualified me. I had discussed with my recruiters and two Air Force physicians the possibility of a lateral transfer from the Army to the Air Force in a few years, after serving as an Army aviation officer. In your experience, how feasible is this? I understand the Army needs officers more badly than the Air Force, and my MOS may not easily transfer to an AFSC (if I don't get aviation). Are there ways of expediting the lateral transfer process?

-William Farkas

Answer
William...

This is a classic case where your mouth runeth over...The thing is they Air Force took it as a "Drug" thing...ZEWRO TOLORANCE... thats why you were booted...

As for lateral transfers to the AF...there is non that I know of, but as always that is subject to change...Do what you have to do to get what you want, then check with teh AF periodically to see if lateral transfers are being accepted.

HW