Good afternoon,

I'm a recently commissioned Lt. through ROTC and am waiting to enter active duty on 1 Sept 12 classified as an intel officer. I attended STO selection last October, was medically pulled for rhabdomylosis, and was invited to re-attend. After completing selection, I was DQed by my FC III due to scoliosis in my back.

Currently, my thoracic curvature is about 30 degrees. According to the AETC folks, the limit is 25 degrees. What is irritating is that I have put a lot into training for this field, and then after attending Phase II, I get DQed. Currently, AETC looks as if it isn't going to budge. As per my understanding, these x-rays can have a about a 5 degree error in measurement.

My questions are:
1) Has anyone heard of getting someone who is of high rank to trump what AETC says, even if it's in the AFI? Kind of like a "it's who you know" type of situation.
2) Does AETC allow re-administered FC III physicals years down the road (should my scoliosis improve with treatment)
3) Would getting surgery to correct my condition DQ me completely from the Air Force?
4) Are there any avenues I haven't thought of to get around this?

Thank you for your help. My current chain of command has done everything they can for my situation. I'm trying my best to get around this, because this truly is the field I want to get into. I look forward to any response.

According to AFI 48-123, Chapter 6 FLYING AND SPECIAL OPERATIONAL DUTY Scoliosis is disqualifying as follows for flying class I, IA, II, and III physicals:

6.44.26.1.4. Lumbar scoliosis of more than 20 degrees or thoracic scoliosis of more than 25 degrees as measured by the Cobb method.

6.44.26.1.5. Abnormal curvature of the spine of any degree in which there is a noticeable deformity when the examinee is dressed, in which pain or interference with function is present, or which is progressive.

Someone of higher rank cannot "trump" what AETC says...it's the AETC Surgeon General approving those standards, backed by the authority of AETC CC. Additionally, standards are there for a reason.

You could certainly re-apply for STO/class III physical exam if/when your scoliosis improves. Surgery has many risks and there is no guarantee it will be successful or that a waiver would be granted.

As for getting around it...keep in mind as I stated earlier, there are standards for a reason, they are not just thought up out of the blue...you have to work within the system, not get around it.

Thanks TE. I wasn't sure if I'm allowed to have another physical down the road, or if my current physical is binding for a specific amount of time. The officials I've been put in contact with are not being very cooperative with information, and I've been sent in circles as far as who I need to speak with. Thanks again.

-Ben

The surgical treatment typically/generally involves fusion.

Consequently: 6.44.26.1.13. Any surgical fusion

The reason for Scoliosis disqualification is the abnormal spinal curvature may predispose to an increased risk of spine fracture or other injuries during high-G exposures and typical high impact parachute landings. The abnormal curvature supposedly gets worse with age too.

Best ask if the surgical treatment is "fusion" and if so is it waiverable too.

Those high-G exposures happen on many parachute openings also!

TE,

After you said I may be able to re-apply for another FCIII, I tried making some phone calls to the medical staff who issued my last physical, but they haven't been answering the phone or sending me in circles.

To your knowledge, if the AETC/SGPS denied me a waiver for my spine per my current FCIII physical for CRO/STO, do you think that is permanent and applies to any further physicals I would have conducted in the future? If not and I went through extensive treatment (brace wearing, chiropractors, ect.) to improve my curvature amount, do you think AETC takes re-issued physicals and tosses the previous one to the trash?

Thanks for your help. I'm curious as to whether I still have a shot in the future at doing the job I've worked my butt off for without all of this medical stuff getting in the way.

Reapply for another initial class III lacks accuracy in describing the process.

The situation of your rhabdomylosis /scoliosis medical condition is likely documented in your permanent PULHES Profile as a 2 or 3. Best check your PULHES as if it is a 2 or 3 you will need to get the disqualifying profile addressed before going for the Class III. Even though no officer classification lists a PULHES requirement best check what yours is.

You may have possibility but like eye surgery there is only so much acceptable corrective spine surgery acceptable to be waiverable and the probabilities are such I suggest you do not hold your breath on the surgery solution bringing any improvement in the odds of being scheduled for another initial Class III.

Good point Yukon!

I'm glad Yukon informed me of the PULHES profile. I had no idea that existed.
The rhabdomylosis wasn't disqualifying for anything; it was just a condition I experienced while at STO phase II due to not eating/drinking enough.It's my curvature that is being a royal pain to get waivered. As for scoliosis surgery, I threw that idea out the window. Currently, I'm taking non-invasive steps, which have already showed regression in my curve. I'm now at about 27 degrees.

I'm assuming that while I'm at my next duty station in about a year, I just go to public health, ask for a new FC III and explain that my previous DQ condition has improved and show documentation of the improvement. Please correct me if I'm wrong by all means (I'm a dumb new Lt who knows absolutely nothing about how this system works yet).

Thank ya'll again for your help.

That you are aware of.

Severe exertion, such as marathon running or calisthenics is certainly a risk factor, but not necessarily the cause. Think of it in perspective of Heat Stoke and High Altitude Illnesses, once you have the first incident you are more likely to have an incident each time you are exposed to the environment and conditions causing the first incident. Thus there is possibility of an underlying cause that only surfaces with signs and symptoms when you are exposed to the risk environment and conditions.

If the risk factor of marathon running or calisthenics was a cause the incidence rate of rhabdomylosis would be unavoidable noticeable at Indoc, Ranger School, BUDs and other schools and courses having physically demanding activities.

If it was diagnosed while at STO Phase II it is presumably in your official military medical records. All I'm saying is you need to ask about it pertinent to getting the intial class III medical examination.

Some new developments. I went and had a recent x-ray a few days ago, and sure enough, my thoracic curve has decreased to just below a 25 degree Cobb angle. Now I have some questions for you medical gurus:

I've seen the AFI and other documents such as the AFI 48-123 certification/waiver authority chart, and now I'm confused.
My questions are:

1)Since the AETC/SGPS contacted me in May and basically said "he considers my case closed", does this mean that no matter what, I can't get an updated physical with a new profile? He (I'm assuming there's only one and not multiple Dr.'s with the title "SGPS") seemed to get pretty irritated that I was pushing for a waiver repetitivelly after disqualification, but since I'm now technically within the bounds of the AFI, does it even matter? The motto is "never quit" after all...

2)Is the AETC/SGPS the certification AND waiver authority, or just the waiver authority? According to the table, certification falls under MAJCOM/SG and waivers under AETC, so this is where I'm seem to be seeing contradictions. If so, I currently fall under Air Force Reserve Command until I go active duty, and I'm wondering if I even have to go through this doctor again to get where I need to be.

3)My scoliosis was never listed specifically as a PERMANENTLY disqualifying condition, so does this mean with an updated physical, evidence of improvement, orthopedist consult, ect., that my previous IFC III disappears?

Sorry for the length and ignorance, but i can't find anything out there for what I'm dealing with. All help is appreciated gentlemen. Thanks a lot.

For the individual trying to enlist with the GTEP or a current member attempting to classify (retrain) into Pararescue or CCT the certifying and waiver authority is AETC/SGPS. AETC/SG owns the medical waiver authority necessary to get into BMT and owns the medical waiver authority to get into courses and school run by AETC.

Case closed typically and generally means no waiver will be considered now or anytime in the future.

Hey guys I'm back with a new question:

The flight doc here at Goodfellow mentioned something called "Exception to Policy" for me to possibly pursue. He's been very straightforward, and has told me that the chances of anything changing for me are slim even though my thoracic curve has remained steady at 29/30 degrees.

Has anyone on here heard of this and what it involves? The one time I brought it up, a Captain here looked at me like I had three heads and the fact I even mentioned such a thing is ridiculous.

If that letter is sponsored/signed off by a 4-star, an O-6, or even a senator/congressman, does that hold any value? Thanks again for any help

The Flight Surgeon seems to be suggesting you submit exception to medical waiver policy just so you can submit a medical waiver request for consideration.

I hear having a virgin sister to offer as sacrifice helps. It is the quality of the reasoning justifying the exception to policy and not the signature of the person wearing the boot that was licked to get the signature that matters.

Ah, Come on, Yukon. The boot lickin' never hurts and the virgin you sacrifice doesn't HAVE to be your sister. But, as you humorously imply, Exception to Policy is a very difficult proposition. On the other hand, the answer is already "NO" so why not try? Might require more than one virgin, though.

I made no suggesting to not trying, but rather addressed the quality of convincing needed to justify the exception to policy.

The convincing action requiring action in this case appears to be seeking approval to submit another request for waiver request that has been disapproved and perhaps already had a review to reconsider the disapproval.

An exception to policy is not needed for a military physician or MEPS medical examiner to submit a medical disqualification waiver request, it is needed to repetitively submit requests after a waiver request been disapproved and a request to reconsider results in a second disapproved (case closed indicates a reconsideration was requested).

AETC/SGPS is the waiver authority and original poster stated waiver authority considered Rolltide’s case (waiver request) closed. This is the top of the food chain waiver authority stating the waiver authority considers Rolltide’s medically disqualifying scoliosis not safe to waiver.

There are somethings having horsepower backing you up can and may help with, but the horsepower must still give sound persuasive medical reasoning above and beyond I have four stars of authority and you have to obey my four stars. The mocking was to emphasize the how and why the exception is justified is more important than the authority level of a supporting signature. The four-star doesn’t have the disqualifying medical condition and doesn’t need an exception of policy for himself or herself; so ultimately Rolltide must be able to with reason justify a persuasive argument as to why AETC/SGPS is wrong or exercising bad judgment in not letting him submit waiver request after waiver request after waiver request to get a changed decision.

Roger. After having two subsequent measurements, I'm a 29 degree curve. I'm continuing with the ETP route since it's my only option left. How i word the reasoning, I'm still figuring out. What's really a pisser is the Cobb measurement is subjective and considered by a lot of doctors to be a very inaccurate method of diagnosis due to the plus/minus 5 degree error amount as well as the changes to the spine in one day due to activities by that person.

AETC also disqualified me based off of an old measurement from 2010 for my DoDMERB (it wasn't even for my FCIII). For them to have not even considered a follow on x-ray which is more up to date is beyond my understanding. I guess if this doesn't work out in the long haul, I'll be crossing to the Navy and giving BUD/S a shot (their cutoff is a 30 degree curve...go figure). Thanks for the responses.

If i had a physical boot to lick, I would have by now. As far as virgins to sacrifice, they're hard to come by. I searched all four years at U of A. None exist in these hard times it seems. Oh well, press on and roll tide