Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Lasik after surgery waiting period

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Expert: - 6/19/2007


Question
I am interested in the Firefighter MOS in the ANG.  What is the Lasik after surgery waiting period for enlistment?  Thanks for your help in advance!

Answer
Greetings Brent -

Just so you know, the Air Force uses AFSC's (Air Force Specialty Codes) in lieu of MOS's.

I know the Air Force has approved PRK (photorefractive keratectomy), of which Lasik is a variation.  Both Lasik and PRK are grouped under the umbrella "laser eye surgery," but each is a little different when it comes to how the procedure is done.  PRK was invented in the early '80s. The first FDA approval of a laser for PRK was in 1995.  PRK is strictly a laser procedure, whereas Lasik involves a knife.  As such, the Air Force has approved the use of PRK (and even does the procedure itself) but, as of 2004, had not approved Lasik.  That may have changed, but I don't think it has.  If so, a waiting period wouldn't apply because the procedure itself is not approved by the Air Force.

I looked into PRK myself in 2002.  I asked about Lasik and was told that was completely out of the question.  But realize I was on flight status and the Air Force had only approved the use of soft contact lenses for flyers a few years earlier, yet the non-flying Air Force had been allowed to use them for years.  So the information I have may be directed only at those on flight status, and not the career field you are interested in.

I would suggest you contact a recruiter and have them look into the medical regulations to make sure of your qualification status.  I would hate to give you advice that is inaccurate or make you think you are not qualified for something that you may be able to do.

Good luck,
James Bell

Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard

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James Bell

Expertise

I am a retired MSgt (2004) with 24 years experience in the aircrew career field, both as a loadmaster (AFSC 1A2x1) and flight engineer (AFSC 1A1x1). I have been to every continent at one time or another, and regularly flew 300 to 500 hours a year. I have been involved in the operations in Grenada, Panama, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. I can answer most questions you may have about enlisted Air Force life in general, assignments, benefits, and enlisted aircrew operations. NOTE: If you have specific recruiting and/or medical questions about how to get into this career field as a civilian, they have changed since my time, so that is best answered by a recruiter or MEPS. I can answer questions about military personnel wanting to RETRAIN. If you are asking about being an Air Force pilot, please be advised my area of expertise is ENLISTED aircrew operations, NOT OFFICERS.

Experience

Loadmaster (AFSC 1A2x1): 7 years - 2,000 hours - C-5A Galaxy cargo plane. Flight Engineer (AFSC 1A1x1C): 7 years - 2,500 hours - C-141B Starlifter cargo plane, 10 years - 3,800 hours - KC-10A Extender aerial tanker. Served as aircrew Flight Instructor, Flight Evaluator and Training Manager

Education/Credentials
Aircraft Loadmaster Initial Qualification - 1980. Mission Qualification (C-5A) - 1981. Fixed Wing Aircraft Performance Course - 1987. Initial Flight Engineer Qualification (C-141B) - 1987. Mission Qualification (KC-10A) - 1988. KC-10 Initial Qualification Course - 1994. Mission Qualification (KC-10A) - 1995. Instructor Qualficiation (KC-10A) - 1997. Evaluator Qualification (KC-10A) - 2000.

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