Hi everyone. I have some questions regarding the ARILO process in the Air Force.
About a year ago I was diagnosed with an aortic root aneurysm. Large enough to be concerned, but not so large as to warrant open heart surgery. I fought hard to keep my job (I’ve been on AD about 14 years), to include minimizing/downplaying symptoms in the hope I would be returned to duty during the IRILO process, which I was with a c-2 assignment limiting code.
Fast forward a year and I had to go through the gambit of testing to check on the aneurysm’s current status. Symptoms have gotten worse and it turns out the aneurysm has grown at a bit of an alarming rate. If this continues, open heart surgery is only a year or two away. I’m on a profile that precludes all aspects of my PT test, and will probably never be off it. I’ve also been referred to a thoracic surgeon to start the dialogue on surgery.
I’m at the point where I actually want an MEB and (hopefully) a medical retirement. I believe the stress of the job is making proper management of my aneurysm untenable. Additionally, it’s affecting my job performance in many ways.
All of that in mind, my PCM is just waiting on a few more tests before he submits my annual RILO (ARILO), but I don’t have a firm understanding of what exactly the ARILO entails. During my IRILO, my boss filled out the Commander's Impact Statement and I was able to provide my own statement, both advocating for my RTD. I have not yet had a frank discussion with the PCM about what his recommendation will be, but during our first meeting he seemed pretty casual about it, saying since I was RTD already, the ARILO should be simple (this was before he knew the aneurysm has grown and hadn’t discussed the progression of my symptoms).
I have a new boss now, who supports advocating for a finding of unfit, but I’m not sure whether an impact statement is a part of the ARILO process. Along those lines, I don’t know if I’ll be able to advocate for myself by way of written statement either. The applicable DAFI appears to be silent on this issue.
Does anyone have experience with the ARILO process who can confirm whether the Commander and/or I will have the opportunity to write a statement?
Assuming the answer is no, I intend on being open and honest with my PCM, Cardiologist, and thoracic surgeon on my desire to be found unfit.
On a related note, Im curious about the “able to do your job” standard. Can I technically do my job? Yes. Can I do it well/at the high level I’m accustomed to? Not even close. I’m probably only putting in a half-days work considering all of the breaks I need to take throughout the day.
Any additional guidance/advice would be greatly appreciated!
About a year ago I was diagnosed with an aortic root aneurysm. Large enough to be concerned, but not so large as to warrant open heart surgery. I fought hard to keep my job (I’ve been on AD about 14 years), to include minimizing/downplaying symptoms in the hope I would be returned to duty during the IRILO process, which I was with a c-2 assignment limiting code.
Fast forward a year and I had to go through the gambit of testing to check on the aneurysm’s current status. Symptoms have gotten worse and it turns out the aneurysm has grown at a bit of an alarming rate. If this continues, open heart surgery is only a year or two away. I’m on a profile that precludes all aspects of my PT test, and will probably never be off it. I’ve also been referred to a thoracic surgeon to start the dialogue on surgery.
I’m at the point where I actually want an MEB and (hopefully) a medical retirement. I believe the stress of the job is making proper management of my aneurysm untenable. Additionally, it’s affecting my job performance in many ways.
All of that in mind, my PCM is just waiting on a few more tests before he submits my annual RILO (ARILO), but I don’t have a firm understanding of what exactly the ARILO entails. During my IRILO, my boss filled out the Commander's Impact Statement and I was able to provide my own statement, both advocating for my RTD. I have not yet had a frank discussion with the PCM about what his recommendation will be, but during our first meeting he seemed pretty casual about it, saying since I was RTD already, the ARILO should be simple (this was before he knew the aneurysm has grown and hadn’t discussed the progression of my symptoms).
I have a new boss now, who supports advocating for a finding of unfit, but I’m not sure whether an impact statement is a part of the ARILO process. Along those lines, I don’t know if I’ll be able to advocate for myself by way of written statement either. The applicable DAFI appears to be silent on this issue.
Does anyone have experience with the ARILO process who can confirm whether the Commander and/or I will have the opportunity to write a statement?
Assuming the answer is no, I intend on being open and honest with my PCM, Cardiologist, and thoracic surgeon on my desire to be found unfit.
On a related note, Im curious about the “able to do your job” standard. Can I technically do my job? Yes. Can I do it well/at the high level I’m accustomed to? Not even close. I’m probably only putting in a half-days work considering all of the breaks I need to take throughout the day.
Any additional guidance/advice would be greatly appreciated!
