laser eye surgery training

Air Force – ROTC/Pilots?

Ok. So I know that as of May 2007 laser eye surgery is ok for people who want to enter flight school.

Let me give you a scenario.

Say a guy who is in the AFROTC graduates and wants to be a pilot in the Air Force. Is he allowed to get laser eye surgery during AFROTC and qualify? Does he have to get it after graduation/commisioning? Or after he’s in the service? Does the Air Force do the surgery, or is it up to the guy to get it done?

How long must he wait after the surgery to go to flight training?

Finally, how long is flight training?

Thanks!!!!!

You can have LASIK done by a civililasikw and still be eligible to be a pilot.

You can have LASIK done at anytime prior to flying. However, you have to wait 1yr before going to UPT (undergrad pilot training) for it to count. The military wants a year for the flap to re-seal permanently, as well as about a year’s worth of follow-ups with the civilian ophthalmologist.

Which also answers the next question. If you get it before you commission, you pay for it and you have to do it a year before commissioning.

If you get the AF to pay for it, they will put you on a long list to get PRK (not LASIK). This will make you DNIF (Duty Not to Include Flying) for 3mos, so you will generally need your commander’s approval. If you get PRK from the military, they will cover the cost 100%. If you get it done by a civilian, you pay for it 100%.

Last question, UPT is about a year long. That is after the year of casual status awaiting a class date. Don’t forget, you will have a 10yr commitment after completing UPT as well. So, you sign on to be a pilot, you are pretty much signing a 12yr commitment.

Hope this helps.

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