Ok so when I went to MEPS I got a 3 from one of the doctors because of a leg injury( broken bone, muscle flap, skin graph). It really doesnt bother me now and I have overcame everything I was told I wouldnt be able to do, including get enlisted in the military. Anyways after I did everything I was asked this first doctor gave me a 113111 cus of my leg, but they called me back and the main doctor over all the other ones talked to me and gave me straight 1's enabling to have my current AFSC for Pararescue. Sorry I am rambling. My question is this. When I take the class III flight physical during Indoc is there a possibility that doctor will end up counting me off for my leg or will they base it off my MEPS physical?


I fully believe after alot of soul searching that I want this more than anything in my life up to now and I hope that something I worked so hard to overcome wont come back to screw me because somebody wont believe what I know I am capable of now.

The PULHES criteria are less stringent than the flying class III criteria.

Purpose of PULHES and medical exam given at MEPS is to determine good health and physical fitness to perform general military duties.

Purpose of Flying Class III medical physical is to determine good health and physical fitness to perform flying duties.

The Class III given to PJ/CCT have a few other special duty criteria included.

Nobody can give you a go/no go answer, but I’m certain broken bone, muscle flap, skin graph will be looked at during the physical exam process needed to get into Pararescue Indoc/Selection course.

A muscle flap indicates a potentially significant reconstructive surgical procedure. I suppose it gets down to how much muscle tissue was needed and from where on your body did it come from? The other leg?

FYI-the PULHES classification criteria for lower extremity.

L. Lower Extremities.

L-1. Bones, muscles, and joints normal. Capable of performing long marches, continuous standing, running, climbing, and digging without limitation.

L-2. Slightly limited mobility of joints, mild muscular weakness, or other musculoskeletal defects that do not prevent moderate marching, climbing, running, digging, or prolonged effort. Capable of all basic work commensurate with grade and position.

L-3. Defect(s) causing moderate interference with function, yet capable of strong effort for short periods. Capable of all basic work commensurate with grade and position but that may affect worldwide deployability. Deployment or PCS to remote location requires clearance by medical provider.

L-4. Strength, range of movement, and efficiency of feet, legs, pelvic girdle, lower back, and lumbar vertebrae severely compromised or disqualifying by AFI 48-123V2, A2.14, or AFI 48-123V2, A2.15. See Chart Note 1.

The Flying Class III examination criteria and PAST standards are a bit more rigorous and inflexible.

It came from my calf on the same leg. I have worked it to where it is the same size as the other calf and it really doesnt bother me. I run every other day and swim on days I dont run. I go to BMT june 16 and will be going to PJ Indoc after that. Correct me if I am wrong but isnt the Flight Physical about halfway thru Indoc? If I am doing good up to that point wont they take that into consideration? Guess I should just cross that bridge when I get to it and focuse on my first few weeks of Indoc first.

Whether you are correct or incorrect of when the flight physical is done has nothing to do with the medical problem concerning you.

Whether you are meeting (passing) or not (failure to meet standards) the physical training objectives of PJ selection/indoc course at the time the physical exam is given has little direct relevance either.

PAST and other physically strenuous activities you are required to participating in doing at the Indoc/selection course doesn’t include falling and impacting the ground at 17ft/sec or more while carrying 65 to 200 pounds of equipment.

Depending on age and physical condition a fall from a height of ten feet results in a rate of fall of twenty feet per second which is sufficient to cause injury. A 25ft/sec impact with the ground is generally considered sufficient to cause serious injury and falls from heights at or over 50 feet are generally considered to have strong potential to cause injuries to two or three body regions.

The Flying Class III physical exam is going to specifically evaluate your old fracture and reconstructive surgery to perform USAF Parascue duties which include parachuting, fast rope, mountain climbing and other activities involving frequent and repetitive high rate of decent impact landings.

The typical rate of descent of a just out of the factory MC-1 canopy parachute landing at sea level for combined parachutist and equipment weight of 250 pounds is about 17ft/sec. At DZ elevation above 8,000 feet MSL this rate of descent on hitting the ground is about 20ft/sec. At elevation of 10,000 MSL the rate of decent on impact landing is about 21ft/sec. This does not take in the added force of surface wind which for training can be up to 15 knots and no restriction for mission jumps.

So what indoc/selection course activity is going to demand you demonstrate impact landings at 17ft/sec or faster while also carrying the typical equipment load of 65 to 200 pounds?