Medical Blood Work Issue

Silver236 · August 13, 2018

Hi all,

I'm planning to resign my commission as a Marine Officer to join the Army National Guard in the near future.

Question:

-What kind of blood work does the Army do for flight physical? The reason why I'm asking this is because I was recently told by a Navy Doc while I was going through pre-deployment screening that I have a high bilirubin level (1.19) and requires further testing. Is this an automatic disqualifier or do they even test for bilirubin? All I can remember is fasting for 12 hours when I did Navy/Marine flight physical, mainly testing for glucose level.

I did pass SIFT and am currently in the process of transferring my Navy/Marine flight physical to Rucker in Aero. I just hope that this bilirubin level does not disqualify me from pursuing my dream.

penlandc · August 13, 2018

I am not a Doctor, but I am sure it will be waiver process just like any other. Do not let it stop you!

Spiffy_cup_of_coffee · August 13, 2018

Hi all,

I'm planning to resign my commission as a Marine Officer to join the Army National Guard in the near future.

Question:

-What kind of blood work does the Army do for flight physical? The reason why I'm asking this is because I was recently told by a Navy Doc while I was going through pre-deployment screening that I have a high bilirubin level (1.19) and requires further testing. Is this an automatic disqualifier or do they even test for bilirubin? All I can remember is fasting for 12 hours when I did Navy/Marine flight physical, mainly testing for glucose level.

I did pass SIFT and am currently in the process of transferring my Navy/Marine flight physical to Rucker in Aero. I just hope that this bilirubin level does not disqualify me from pursuing my dream.

Fellow crayon eater myself I ran into a similar issue with my lipids. I have a towards the top end of the scale lipid count. Mind you Im a skinny runner guy (just my genetics I guess?) Navy said it would be an issue but when I went to Bragg to complete my flight physical the doc there made no issue of it and he endorsed my package. A week later Rucker gave me the stamp.

I think if the flight surgeon signs off on your package then Rucker will follow suit.

klas · August 13, 2018

Hi all,

I'm planning to resign my commission as a Marine Officer to join the Army National Guard in the near future.

Question:

-What kind of blood work does the Army do for flight physical? The reason ... that I have a high bilirubin level (1.19) and requires further testing. ..

Check to see if you have Gilbert's Syndrome.

Silver236 · August 14, 2018

Gentlemen,

Thank you for your prompt response. I should be hearing back from my doc sometime this week.

In the meantime, I am trying to figure out how to obtain a conditional release from the Corps. I'd love to apply for the active duty board held in January specifically for commissioned officers however that will require for me to obtain a conditional release.

The Army National Guard on the other hand, I can apply without a conditional release and the acceptance letter is good for a few years. So I am definitely leaning towards the Guard route.

My only concern is securing a job prior to returning to my home state following flight school.

Spiffy_cup_of_coffee · August 14, 2018

Gentlemen,

Thank you for your prompt response. I should be hearing back from my doc sometime this week.

In the meantime, I am trying to figure out how to obtain a conditional release from the Corps. I'd love to apply for the active duty board held in January specifically for commissioned officers however that will require for me to obtain a conditional release.

The Army National Guard on the other hand, I can apply without a conditional release and the acceptance letter is good for a few years. So I am definitely leaning towards the Guard route.

My only concern is securing a job prior to returning to my home state following flight school.

What question do you have about the dd368? It took two weeks for mine to get approved.

The only thing you need to add is the cover letter found in the seps manual. Then submit up through the coc and it will get routed to hqmc. A civilian signs it and the rest is history.

kona4breakfast · August 14, 2018

Mine was 1.5 in '13, didn't even raise an eyebrow. If it does, ask for another panel and don't do any crazy crossfit/HIIT workouts in the 24 hrs prior to the test.

Silver236 · August 15, 2018

Spiffy,

I am still obligated to serve until Dec 2019 since I accepted career designation. In additon, my MOS community (communications) is understaffed on field grade officers so my DD368 may not receive a favorable endorsement considering I'm on a "right" track to become a field grade one day.

Kona,

Thanks for your assurance. I'm trying to get my flight physical done prior to this deployment but no one seems to be available within the next two weeks in Cali. I have a current flight physical in AERO that was completed by Navy flight doc with an up chit and all but Rucker wants to see me go through an Army flight physical. The worst case scenario, I will have to wait until 2020....I will be 31 then....cutting it too close..

Silver236 · August 16, 2018

Klas,

You were absolutely correct. I have a mild case of Gibert Syndrome which is not life threatening. Hopefully, the flight docs do not DQ me for this condition...

klas · August 16, 2018

Klas,

You were absolutely correct. I have a mild case of Gibert Syndrome which is not life threatening. Hopefully, the flight docs do not DQ me for this condition...

I am sure it'll be a non-issue. First diagnosed with it over 30 yrs ago and been flying for 16 of those and it has never even come up with the flight doc other than me listing it. Then again, I am in the civilian world and don't have to deal with the military. I did find an old 1980's era document from the AMA to the FAA that listed or encouraged or provided input to some rules, and it included Gilbert's Syndrome should be considered non-disqualifying for a med cert.