u/FadedShadow0721

After a long battle working on getting my class 1 medical, I may soon be going to flight school. While I do have a bias of wanting to flying helicopters, its not a hard or difficult choice to go fixed wing route since Im not set in stone.

Since I was 10 I wanted to fly. I joined the Army at 17 wanting to become a Warrant Officer and fly with the Army. Without a long sob story, I genuinely believe I did everything I could to put in a packet to become a Warrant Officer, but my leadership fought me on every advancement. No matter how well I did, my unit refused to sign paperwork allowing me to take a GT improvement test and SIFT test. Eventually when I left active duty, they offered the option to take the SIFT as a retention bonus than money or traditional school. I didn't want to fight that Army on what should have been an encouraging advancement, and I was afraid of being stuck in a new location or the same location waiting on signatures to follow that dream if I signed a new contract.

I left to the national guard and same thing. I used my own leave just to attend a test program for a expedited GT course at another base the literal opposite side of my state. I actually passed with a 111 score and all I needed was a signature to attend a 1 days SIFT test, and still all my leadership refused to sign and gave me every escuse. Even using 2 levels of open door, I just shot myself in the foot and put a target on my back. I got stock waiting on signatures again.

Anyway, I get out and apply for VA disabilities. Without another long story, I was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder. I have been actively and currently trying to get rid of that rating to make flying easier in the future. After literally 3 years and speaking with 4 HIMS AMEs, I finally been "undiagnosed" with Major Depressive Disorder, yet still have a rating Im trying to remove. I got a psychiatrist to write a psychiatric consultation saying that rating and diagnoses was incorrect.

Now that I will soon get a medical license in theroy, I get a choice. Im struggling to pick a platform. Part of me really wants to fly helicopters since in a emotional way, I can prove to myself the Army and my old leadership was wrong and I can fly helicopters. Its more of a pride thing rather than a preference. I lean more towards helicopters, but Im not set in stone.

Ive taken a discovery ride on both platforms and I have no favor above one or the other. The most repeated advice I got from several local helicopter pilots is to go fixed wing. Its more stable long term, without traveling states looking for jobs building hours. It even pays well that I can eventually learn both when I make more in the future. Fixed wing pilots say its great, but can get boring over time.

So right now, without my past bias, Im struggling to prove to myself what is the best platform for me since I have a literal 50/50 split on what I believe I would enjoy. What option do yall have?

I just met with my HIM AME and my Doctor said I have a very good chance if getting my class 1 medical certificate. When I got out of the Army, I filled out my disability benefits questionnaire (DBQ). We were told put our worst injuries or moments, even if better now. Without going into to much personal information, I told my VA Theropist about when I first joined, how I lost my grandmother. She was my maternal figure since I didnt have a mother growing up. I had a bad moment about barley over 3 months. I struggled since had a controlling parent I was trying to leave, new to adult life. I was alone since my unit was deployed and I got to my duty station late October during holiday season, and couldn't drive since I wasn't allowed to learn growing up. Because I was new to the unit I was denied ordinary leave during holiday , and because my grandmother was not my immediate family , I was denied emergency leave. I was stuck and in a bad place mentally. Eventually everything did get better.

Anyway, I told the VA therapist about my situation, and I was automatically referred to a VA psychologist. Eventually after I told her about that moment, even though it was a singular incident, I was still diagnosed with major depressive disorder. And yes before comments say something, I did try and currently trying to remove that rating because I did not think it was a fair diagnosis and dont want to fight this later on if I become a pilot. Because I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder it's been a uphill battle trying to get a cleared Medical because the VA takes forever with paperwork. Eventually I did go to a VA psychiatrist, that went over all my records and agreed it was situational bereavement depression and not major depressive disorder. My HIMS AME also agreed and said with my psychiatric consult notes, I will be good to get my medical certificate. The only issue I have is is there anything else other than the airman's personal statement with my psychiatric notes confirming I do not have major depressive disorder? I already got a deferred and denied letter because I couldn't get my evidence soon enough. Now I'm trying to dot my Ts and cross my Is to make sure I have all my records straight to submit. Do you all have any recommendations? Thank you