Brain buckets for GA flying

There sure as heck are standards. In the latter days of stop-loss there's definitely a challenge, but it's hard to be a DFB in an Infantry unit.

From providing medical services to the military, I can assure you that those standards are not being followed.
 
From providing medical services to the military, I can assure you that those standards are not being followed.

You paint with an awfully broad brush. I served 21 years, my son's in his 3rd year, I directly supported DoD for the last 10 years, and I maintain friendships with many actively serving friends -- there are standards, soldiers are held to account, and there are consequences to not maintaining those standards.

Being staffed with human beings, it's imperfect, certainly. But your claim that there "are no standards" is simply bogus.
 
Being staffed with human beings, it's imperfect, certainly. But your claim that there "are no standards" is simply bogus.

I am saying they are not being followed, plenty of waivers being handed out it seems.

I didn't say there are 'no standards'.
 
I am saying they are not being followed, plenty of waivers being handed out it seems.

I didn't say there are 'no standards'.

No?

The same could be said about all branches of the military (save the marines maybe) and most police and fire departments.

Stringent physical fitness and weight standards to join, but once the donuts and fast food hit there is no mechanism to boot people out based on failing those standards.


Actually, there are several, and they increase in severity with increase in rank (e.g, an O-3 is held to a higher standard than an E-3)
 
He was walking out for help when they found him. Broken spine was evidently manageable.



Depends on what kind of hemlet. Dot certs are great for a single hit but not as good for multiple. The snell racing helmets for auto racing are certified to a higher standars (often fire retardent too) but can restrict vision more.

Its all a crapshoot and largely depends on how you crash. That pic of Sparky didn't show his broken spine.
 
No?




Actually, there are several, and they increase in severity with increase in rank (e.g, an O-3 is held to a higher standard than an E-3)

Semantics. The standard is there, people are still not being held to it or 'separated' if they fail it.

Otherwise, there wouldn't be a 12% obesity (BMI>30) rate in the active duty population. 60+ percent are 'overweight' by the standard measure (although that number is probably falsely elevated as the BMI doesn't distinguish between fat and muscle, you can be buff and have a BMI of 26, once you hit 30 it gets hard to explain the flubber away with 'heavy bones' or 'its all muscle').
 
You are entirely incorrect in claiming that there is no mechanism for booting people out if they do not meet the fitness standards, at least as applied to the Air Force. There is a reg that goes into great detail about failure to meet any of the components of the fitness test, and ultimately it ends up being an administrative separation after unsuccessful attempts.

It is also not that easy- in order to get a maximum score of 100, I would need to run 1.5 miles in the nine minute range, have a 32 inch waist, and be able to do 50+ pushups and 50+ crunches each within a minute.

Failure to pass any of these requirements starts the clock ticking, and includes remedial training, etc. The Active Duty are required to do this twice a year.

Anyway, the claim that there "is no mechanism to boot people out" is entirely incorrect. It is also incorrect to state that once enlisted, the standards go away: in fact, the standards for enlistment are a lot less stringent than those for continued service.
 
Anyway, the claim that there "is no mechanism to boot people out" is entirely incorrect. It is also incorrect to state that once enlisted, the standards go away: in fact, the standards for enlistment are a lot less stringent than those for continued service.

Ok, standard is there, just not being followed.

I wonder where those active duty soldiers with obesity and type II diabetes come from that walk up to registration in our office then ?
 
You are also confused in linking medical standards and compliance with height/weight fitness standards. The latter is administrative in nature, and up to the individual's commander. Separation for failure of the fitness test standards is administrative, and not medical.

Also, the recently enacted Wounded Warrior legislation prohibits separation if an individual remains fit for duty (of some kind), but is not deployable. An example would be a soldier who loses a limb in combat, but still could function in some other role. Unfortunately, in some cases, this legislation has been interpreted more broadly to include those individuals who have diabetes, heart disease, cancer, etc. As long as they can do their job, the current interpretation as I understand it is that they cannot be separated. It has led to a lot of confusion.

My original point referred to CAP members who wear a uniform with rank, but are not apparently required to meet any other standards for wear of the uniform, military customs and courtesies, etc, like polished boots, haircuts, saluting, etc.

My own impression is the same in sensing that they are cliquish and resistant to members of the military participating or helping in their training,yet who would be a better recruiting resource than to have some pilots, PJ's, security forces, or other people come and give talks?
 
He was walking out for help when they found him. Broken spine was evidently manageable.

True but he could barely lift his feet. Watching him climb into his airplane not long after was quite something.

Sparky's crash is a great example of crashing strait ahead into things not stalling and dropping in flat.
 
You are also confused in linking medical standards and compliance with height/weight fitness standards. The latter is administrative in nature, and up to the individual's commander. Separation for failure of the fitness test standards is administrative, and not medical.

What links them is physiology.

Also, the recently enacted Wounded Warrior legislation prohibits separation if an individual remains fit for duty (of some kind), but is not deployable. An example would be a soldier who loses a limb in combat, but still could function in some other role. Unfortunately, in some cases, this legislation has been interpreted more broadly to include those individuals who have diabetes, heart disease, cancer, etc. As long as they can do their job, the current interpretation as I understand it is that they cannot be separated. It has led to a lot of confusion.

Extension of ADA abuse into the military.

My original point referred to CAP members who wear a uniform with rank, but are not apparently required to meet any other standards for wear of the uniform, military customs and courtesies, etc, like polished boots, haircuts, saluting, etc.

I'm not in the CAP, the way I understand them they are a non profit corp that is affiliated with DoD but not part of it. Why wear a uniform if you can't adhere to the customs that go along with it ?

I certainly support the mission of CAP and have thought about joining if I ever find time to do so. As I have no military service background, I would probably limit the wearing of CAP uniform to the occasions where that is expected by the organization.


My own impression is the same in sensing that they are cliquish and resistant to members of the military participating or helping in their training,yet who would be a better recruiting resource than to have some pilots, PJ's, security forces, or other people come and give talks?

CAP has 60,000 members and 1500 squadrons. You are bound to get a cross-section of society represented in such a large organization. I am quite certain that the quality of local wings is variable, including their relation to active or former military personel.
 
Yes, I wear a helmet when flying my aerobatic plane. It is comfortable, quiet with ANR, and reflects the sun and is actually cooler than ANR headsets alone. I would never fly acro without a helmet. I would do anything possible to prevent sustaining a traumatic brain injury, but would not wear a helmet while doing ordinary GA flying.

If people as providers and care givers have such a negative attitude toward their patients and clients who serve in the military, they should consider another career field that they find more personally rewarding.
 
If people as providers and care givers have such a negative attitude toward their patients and clients who serve in the military, they should consider another career field that they find more personally rewarding.

What negative attitude ? I see a problem with the measurable number of servicemembers who run into health problems based on their nutrition/exercise balance and the failure of the hierarchy to address that issue. No disrespect to anyone personally.
 
Perhaps you are referring to the Army. On the Air side, we are held to the same standard across the board- the generals and senior colonels are expected to lead the way in the fitness test, and there is no slack cut for anyone. It is a big area of focus for the Air Force, and no one slides.

I try to present it in a positive light to the people who are overweight and out of shape, and encourage them to improve, rather than consider them slackers and losers.

Yes, there are those who try to game the system, and I have no tolerance for them, but the majority need motivation and positive reinforcement rather than negative association. At least to me this is a mark of leadership and being a good role model and provider.
 
Perhaps you are referring to the Army. On the Air side, we are held to the same standard across the board- the generals and senior colonels are expected to lead the way in the fitness test, and there is no slack cut for anyone. It is a big area of focus for the Air Force, and no one slides.

I try to present it in a positive light to the people who are overweight and out of shape, and encourage them to improve, rather than consider them slackers and losers.

Yes, there are those who try to game the system, and I have no tolerance for them, but the majority need motivation and positive reinforcement rather than negative association. At least to me this is a mark of leadership and being a good role model and provider.

Now that right there is funny...

I was in the Air Force -- the strict adherence to the mile walk requirement was commendable.

;)
 
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Perhaps we should be wearing a selection from here? Chaps, chest protector, helmet with face guard. Actually, considering what is happening at work, I might like to wear a kevlar vest and helmet there too!
A couple of interesting points... BG William Spruance (previously noted safety video) pointed out some fairly simple things to do to lessen the impact of a crash. It is well worth watching the video but you should also check out his website.
US CG Auxiliary requires flight suits and leather boots while on missions.
AOPA Safety recently posted this video about a fire in the cockpit.
Most of the points made in all three cases were to avoid wearing synthetics while flying. You can't completely prevent bad things from happening. You can minimize the risk and take steps to improve your survivability.
 
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Now that there is some good stuff.....reminds me of my college days - I had some roomies that designed their own protective equipment.....I believe it was called 'Everclear Gear'. Intended to protect the wearer from significant damage brought on by any mishaps that might occur while under the influence of 190 proof alcohol.
 
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