Going in without a PJ Contract

[Nick_A]

Hello, I have been trying for roughly 2 years to get into the Air Force and become a PJ. Originally, I went to MEPS and was disqualified. Upon getting a waiver, I was taken to MEPS own doctor(Off-site) and he concluded that I have Myopia; an eye disorder that I do not have(Verified by my own doctor) and it was rejected as well. Now, after a grueling year and a half, looking into other ways of getting in, green to blue crossovers, I went to an Army recruiter and asked him if he could possibly get me in; I could go 68W with Option 40 and possibly crossover to PJ's after my 4 years. He was able to, but says that because of my waiver I am ineligible for an Option 40 on my initial contract but I can still try while at BCT or AIT through the Ranger recruiters there. I have heard this is extremely difficult and would rather not do that. I spoke with my old AF recruiter again and he told me that there is possibly a new doctor at MEPS, which is why my waiver was approved. I also have a letter from my eye doctor confirming I do not have said eye condition. I hope that this will be enough to get me a PJ contract, I will be the happiest mofo to walk the planet!


Now, my question is this: Is it possible to go into the Air Force with a seperate AFSC, let's say Loadmaster, and get a PJ contract while in Basic?

 

[AWP]

I don't know if taking any job in the Operations careerfield is a good idea when your desired end state is to be a PJ. The AF will invest a decent chunk of change to train you into a careerfield which is usually undermanned* and then you'll want to leave after a few years to make a run at Indoc?

For Green to Blue, that isn't as easy as people make it sound. The AF can be tight-fisted with prior enlistees. Some guys hit it at the right time or take a job they didn't want just to get their foot in the door. I wouldn't base my plan around "If I don't like the Army I can try the Air Force in a few years" because the slots for prior enlisted may simply not exist. Drawdowns and "force shaping" are happening, so the number of available jobs is decreasing and the interested pool of recruits isn't. Supply v. Demand in action....

* - Almost every year the entire specturm of fields in Operations receives a bonus for re-enlisting and/ or a priority for Airmen who wish to crosstrain. If you take a job in one of those fields be prepared to spend an entire enlistment before getting a chance to see the pool at Lackland.

 

[Nick_A]

Thank you, Freefalling.

That's understandable, I had not seen it from that perspective. Well, in the event that I am not cleared for a chance at PJ's, I just found out about Air National Guard pararescueman and am going to look further into it.

 

[policemedic]

Thank you, Freefalling.

That's understandable, I had not seen it from that perspective. Well, in the event that I am not cleared for a chance at PJ's, I just found out about Air National Guard pararescueman and am going to look further into it.

As far as I know, accession standards for all service components are the same. That is to say, if you don't qualify for, say, an active duty Army Infantry contract you won't qualify for a Reserve or National Guard Infantry contract either.

 

[Nick_A]

As far as I know, accession standards for all service components are the same. That is to say, if you don't qualify for, say, an active duty Army Infantry contract you won't qualify for a Reserve or National Guard Infantry contract either.

Roger that, policemedic. But I did qualify for an Army contract, which in my case was 68W. But I was just not eligible for Option 40. But I'm worried that it will bar me from ANG as well; as you stated. I will talk with a recruiter tomorrow and post a SITREP in this thread when I find more information.

 

[Johca]

Now, my question is this: Is it possible to go into the Air Force with a seperate AFSC, let's say Loadmaster, and get a PJ contract while in Basic?

No. The entry classification is 100% GTEP, there is no entry classification of aptitude area enlistments into Pararescue during BMT. If you come in GTEP contract for another AFSC there is no switching the contract for entry classification into Pararescue during BMT either.

Well, in the event that I am not cleared for a chance at PJ's, I just found out about Air National Guard pararescueman and am going to look further into it.

The entry classification standards/criteria for pararescue is the exact same for all components (Regular, AF Reserve and Air National Guard). Much less opportunity in Air National Guard as there only five states having units with pararescue authorized and assigned.

but says that because of my waiver I am ineligible for an Option 40 on my initial contract but I can still try while at BCT or AIT through the Ranger recruiters there.

The option 40 is not classification into a military occupation as there is no career US Army Ranger MOS and no Ranger Branch.

Also 68W MOS doesn't come close to requiring what is required to entry classify into Pararescue. http://army.com/info/mos/health-care-specialist Physical Profile Serial #: 222221 is significantly less than the 111111 required for classification into pararescue. The 68W MOS is the Air Force 4N enlisted medical career field..

 

[policemedic]

Roger that, policemedic. But I did qualify for an Army contract, which in my case was 68W. But I was just not eligible for Option 40. But I'm worried that it will bar me from ANG as well; as you stated. I will talk with a recruiter tomorrow and post a SITREP in this thread when I find more information.

Helpful hint: don't say, "Roger that." Just trust me on this.

 

[Nick_A]

The option 40 is not classification into a military occupation as there is no career US Army Ranger MOS and no Ranger Branch.

Also 68W MOS does come close to requiring what is required to entry classify into Pararescue. http://army.com/info/mos/health-care-specialist Physical Profile Serial #: 222221 is significantly less than the 111111 required for classification into pararescue. The 68W MOS is the Air Force 4N enlisted medical career field..

Thank you for the information, Johca. I was not aware but I am now. With the knowledge you have given me, all I can do now is pry and hope that a recruiter can make it happen.

 

[Nick_A]

Helpful hint: don't say, "Roger that." Just trust me on this.

Sorry, I come from a military high school so it's kind of embedded in my head.

 

[AWP]

Roger that, policemedic. But I did qualify for an Army contract, which in my case was 68W. But I was just not eligible for Option 40. But I'm worried that it will bar me from ANG as well; as you stated. I will talk with a recruiter tomorrow and post a SITREP in this thread when I find more information.

Not eligible because of your eyesight situation or not "eligible" because there weren't any Option 40 slots?

On a bit of a side note, your problem is that you were disqualified once, tried a waiver, and that didn't pan out. Most military docs aren't going to invest the time to revisit someone who already lost one waiver battle. You have myopia/ nearsightedness and that precludes you from being a Ranger? That makes no sense unless there's more you aren't telling us.

Your eyesight is 20/what?

 

[Johca]

Sorry, I come from a military high school so it's kind of embedded in my head.

No public high school is "military". There are private boarding type schools that cost a fortune that have military type environment, but focus is being a no tolerance for nonsense structured learning environment than being a military force or a commissioning program.

 

[Nick_A]

Pardon the misunderstanding, Johca. It is a private school of sorts, but there is no tuition fee. Only the fees for our uniforms. It was very military oriented, directed by two US Marine Corps Drill Masters.

 

[Ooh-Rah]

Pardon the misunderstanding, Johca. It is a private school of sorts, but there is no tuition fee. Only the fees for our uniforms. It was very military oriented, directed by two US Marine Corps Drill Masters.

LOL. "A private school of sorts"

Me thinks there is something you are not telling us.

 

[Nick_A]

Not eligible because of your eyesight situation or not "eligible" because there weren't any Option 40 slots?

On a bit of a side note, your problem is that you were disqualified once, tried a waiver, and that didn't pan out. Most military docs aren't going to invest the time to revisit someone who already lost one waiver battle. You have myopia/ nearsightedness and that precludes you from being a Ranger? That makes no sense unless there's more you aren't telling us.

Your eyesight is 20/what?

What the Army recruiter told me was, that since I was going to enlist in the Army with a waiver for my eyesight, that banned me from obtaining an Option 40 because of my waiver itself. I'm sure there are some Option 40 slots available, but it's a no-go for me. I'm not sure if he is lying to me, I wouldn't know. But to confirm I do not have Myopia/Nearsightedness. That was what MEPS local doctor diagnosed me with and what my own eye doctor put to rest.
I hope this helps explain things a bit further.

 

[Nick_A]

LOL. "A private school of sorts"

Me thinks there is something you are not telling us.

Southeast Military and Law Enforcement High School . You can look it up if you'd like. I'd post the link to their page, but I'm not sure if that is allowed. I had to interview to get in, and made sure all my uniforms were squared away and creased everyday.

 

[AWP]

What the Army recruiter told me was, that since I was going to enlist in the Army with a waiver for my eyesight, that banned me from obtaining an Option 40 because of my waiver itself. I'm sure there are some Option 40 slots available, but it's a no-go for me. I'm not sure if he is lying to me, I wouldn't know. But to confirm I do not have Myopia/Nearsightedness. That was what MEPS local doctor diagnosed me with and what my own eye doctor put to rest.
I hope this helps explain things a bit further.

It does not, so what's the full story? What is your vision? 20/ What? What did MEPS say is your vision? 20/What?

 

[DA SWO]

It does not, so what's the full story? What is your vision? 20/ What? What did MEPS say is your vision? 20/What?

The Military does not care what your Doc says.
That's why they have their own Docs give screening exams.
20/?
Nobody can help you without knowing all the details.

 

[Nick_A]

Sorry gentleman, I did not see the last part of your post Freefalling.

My vision is as follows:
(L) 20/20-
(R) 20/100-

Assessment:
1) Refractive Amblyopia OD
2) High Hyperopic Astigmatism OD
3) Low Hyperopic Astigmatism OS
4) Posterior Segment Health = Incomplete OU

If you have any other questions about my vision, I have a complete diagnostic from my doctor in front me.

 

[AWP]

Ah...now the story unfolds.

20/100 is a non-starter for a flight physical. It should be no greater than 20/70 and correctable to 20/20. As @SOWT has pointed out, your doctor's opinion is moot, the MEPS doctor is what matters. If they say 20/100, then your vision is 20/100 and reality is irrelevant unless you can convince them to give you another chance.

As to your astigmatism, that could rule you out of many SOF programs. 20/100 is a non-event for Army SOF because many jobs don't require a flight/ dive physical. If your eyes correct to 20/20, then the myopia isn't a problem, but your astigmatism MAY (I'm not a Doc and don't know) be an issue.

For the Army you need to look up AR 40-501 and start reading. For the Air Force I think the counterpart is AFMAN/ AFI 48-123.

 

[Nick_A]

Interesting. Thank you very much for the information Freefalling, I'll be doing some studying tonight! I hope for nothing more than getting the opportunity to prove myself.