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Flight Physical Experience Part 1I am a 27 year old civilian currently building my packet to join the California National Guard as a Warrant Officer and yesterday I went through my first phase of the Class 1A Flight Physical at Fort Irwin, CA. I wanted to share my experience for those interested in how this process works as I was one of those people as of a couple days ago. Obviously, YMMV. I called my local WOSM who gave me the phone number to the Community Hospital on base to schedule my physical. I called and scheduled it myself and was told to be there at 0800. On the day of my physical, I drove to base, got my visitor pass from the visitor center, and drove to the hospital. I checked in at primary care at 7:30 am and got called in at 8:05 am. I was in a small room with 6 other people and the flight nurse gave us all a packet of information to fill out (basic medical packet - emergency room visits, allergies, etc). In the packet was a map of base and a list of requirements for my Class 1A Flight Physical (Labs, Dental, Optometry, Audiology, Anthro, & EKG). She instructed us on how to fill out the packet and that once we were done with all of the requirements to report back to her with all the signed documents to schedule part 2. This was basically like a medical scavenger hunt. All of the requirements were by walk-in only (except for optometry which they scheduled for me at 11 am). Audiology - This was in a building across the street. I walked over from the hospital and they took me right away. I sat in a sound proof room and put on headphones and held a jeopardy-like buzzer and was told to press the button every time I heard the tone. After about ten minutes she told me that my hearing was good, signed off on my paper and I was on my way. Dental - This building was next door to audiology. I walked over and they gave me a little sheet to fill out (standard dental/medical questions). I was a little nervous because I've had a root canal and some fillings before but that did not matter. I got a few x-rays done and then the dentist looked them over, looked over my teeth for about 5 minutes and said I was good. He signed my paper and I was done. Labs - This was back in the main hospital. I went to the desk where they gave me a cup to pee in and a number. I went to the bathroom, peed in the cup, went back and gave them my pee and sat and waited to have blood drawn. They called my number, took 4 vials of blood, signed my paper and then I was done with labs. Optometry - This part took the longest. They gave me 3 different eye drops that dilated my eyes and she told me that my vision would be blurry for the next 24 hours (which I was not expecting). First they tested eye pressure by blowing some air in each eye. Then they had me cover each eye and read a couple letters on the board from afar. Then they gave me 3D glasses and a sheet with some figures on it. I had to tell them which figures were 3D. Then they did a color test where you read them the the colored numbers that are hidden in a different colored circle. After that the optometrist inspected my eyes with a big microscope looking tool and then had me look at a few different charts and say which one looked more clear (chart a vs. b etc.). She said my vision was good but I might need reading glasses when I'm in my 40's. She signed my paper and I was good. All that took place between 8:05 am and 12 pm. The flight nurse wasn't back in until 1:30 pm so I wandered around base pretty blind for about an hour and half, ate some pizza, then went back to the hospital. I met back up with the flight nurse at primary care who looked over my packet, made sure I had all my signatures, and then scheduled my phase 2 for my "Anthro" and EKG which I will go do next week. All in all everyone was really helpful, the medical questions were super basic, and the experience was pretty straightforward. I was pretty nervous about all of this but everyone I met throughout the process made me feel at ease. I am a healthy guy with no history of medical problems except for some stitches I got when I was 6 (which I disclosed on my medical form) so like I said YMMV. Hope this helps inform others who are interested in what the process is like for a civilian getting a Class 1A flight physical done for the first time. TL:DR: Flight physical wasn't that bad (so far).

Ok Guys! I need some advice.....I have been accepted as a Street to Seat guy for the Guard in my state. That was back in August. I was told a few days after that it would be Mid-September to hear something from a date standpoint. Well I waited patiently....then get to end of September. They WOSM told me that they were waiting till the Fiscal Year began in October. I was okay with that, as that seemed to be a viable excuse. Fast forward to 1/9/2019.....I have been waiting 152 days for some type of date. The WOSM tells me its the NGB and MEPSCOM that is having the issues. I do not understand why there should be an issue. The issue is not with me, apparently it is getting it setup in the system. Has to do with pay....I do not care right now....I am looking for advice..... Should I wait it out? Should I contact someone? I understand the hurry up and wait, but this seems to be getting old. What do you guys think? Apparently my state has already given me a flight school date...I am just ready to go! I want to get this process started as I have a family and my wife is eager to understand what is going on.....

Hi, I'm currently a Junior in High School looking to get a head start on figuring out what I need to do to fly for the Army. I've been doing a bunch of research, and talking to my local national guard recruiter--she is encouraging me to enlist in the National Guard into an aviation unit and build time until I can submit a packet and become a warrant officer and pilot, etc. I've heard a lot of good things about going active duty through WOFT , "street to seat", as well. My main question is: What, from experience, seems to be the best overall route, and which one leads to more flight time? Thanks, I look forward to reading your responses! --Mike