F
flyboy
Guest
In August of 1999, a pilot suffering from
stress-related irritable bowel syndrome was
grounded without consultation and requested
to have a pyschological evaluation; sent to
a Navy Flight Surgeon who found nothing to
ground him for and certified him fit for
flying duty. His superior officer did not
agree with the Navy FS and sent him to his
Wing Flight Surgeon to be re-evaluated
psychologically. He too found him physically
fit and certified him to return to flying
duty. Since that conflict occurred, there
has been a resentment on the part of the
pilot's superior officer, who has slandered
him to his fellow officers, attacked his
character, spread rumors that the pilot has
mental problems and gambling problems all of
which are totally untrue and unfounded. The
pilot has tried on three different occasions
to counsel with his superior officer but has
been turned down each time. When the pilot
sought the advice of the next echelon of
command, his superior officer cited him for
insubordination and then withdrew the pilot's
recommendation for promotion. His superior
officer repeatedly threatens to ruin his flying career with bad Officer Performance
Reports (OPRs) if he seeks transfer to any
other flying position. The pilot has been
threatened by his superior officer that he
will be dishonorably discharged from the
service if he seeks legal advice. His
superior officer has stated that he is in
good with his superior officers and that
they will sign off on anything he submits.
The pilot recently signed a 17-year contract
to remain in his flying position. What is
his recourse?
stress-related irritable bowel syndrome was
grounded without consultation and requested
to have a pyschological evaluation; sent to
a Navy Flight Surgeon who found nothing to
ground him for and certified him fit for
flying duty. His superior officer did not
agree with the Navy FS and sent him to his
Wing Flight Surgeon to be re-evaluated
psychologically. He too found him physically
fit and certified him to return to flying
duty. Since that conflict occurred, there
has been a resentment on the part of the
pilot's superior officer, who has slandered
him to his fellow officers, attacked his
character, spread rumors that the pilot has
mental problems and gambling problems all of
which are totally untrue and unfounded. The
pilot has tried on three different occasions
to counsel with his superior officer but has
been turned down each time. When the pilot
sought the advice of the next echelon of
command, his superior officer cited him for
insubordination and then withdrew the pilot's
recommendation for promotion. His superior
officer repeatedly threatens to ruin his flying career with bad Officer Performance
Reports (OPRs) if he seeks transfer to any
other flying position. The pilot has been
threatened by his superior officer that he
will be dishonorably discharged from the
service if he seeks legal advice. His
superior officer has stated that he is in
good with his superior officers and that
they will sign off on anything he submits.
The pilot recently signed a 17-year contract
to remain in his flying position. What is
his recourse?