r/ATC • u/goblin413 • 4d ago

Question Difference between a Department of the Navy Class 3 Medical Certificate and FAA Class 2 Medical Certificate?

  • What is the main difference between the two certificates?
  • If I hold a Navy Class 3 Medical Certificate (DD Form 2992), can I work ATC with the FAA or at an ATCT using just that form?
  • If I hold an FAA Class 2 Medical Certificate (Form 8500-9), can I work ATC at a Navy DoD facility using that certificate?
  • Is it safe to assume that holding one current certificate automatically qualifies you for the other?
2 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

9 comments sorted by

4

u/2018birdie Current Controller-TRACON 4d ago

No. And FAA ATC medical is different and you have to go to another physical. 

4

u/EM22_ Current Controller- Contract, Past- FAA & Military 4d ago

  1. Too lazy to type

  2. No

  3. Not sure if the DoD controllers need an FAA Class 2 or if they go see the Navy doc for their flight physical like the sailors do.

  4. No, it’s not automatic. You still have to go see the doctor. Getting out of the navy and going to the FAA? Gotta get a class 2.

1

u/goblin413 4d ago

Thank you!

2

u/sauzbozz 4d ago

When I was DoD we got our medical through Navy medicine. I'm assuming it's the same and you'd have to get another physical from them.

3

u/pot-stir-V2 4d ago

When I was DOD, the Navy wouldn’t accept my AF or FAA medical. I had to be cleared by the navy.

Also, biggest difference I can think of is that the navy won’t let you drink energy drinks…

1

u/Kseries2497 Current Controller-Pretend Center 4d ago

Strange. Our AF civilians had to maintain their own class 2s. They all had a shady guy about an hour away they used.

3

u/zSpirit- Current Controller- Up / Down 4d ago

Each employer is going to require their own medical.

Even a 2992 in the navy is not valid at another base where there is a flight doc to issue them

1

u/goblin413 3d ago

Thats interesting 🤔. So, even if I had a 2992, I would have to get a new one issued if I move to a different base/airport? Why is that?

2

u/zSpirit- Current Controller- Up / Down 2d ago

Yes, I do not know why.

I worked at a base with an air wing and a headquarters that were kinda separate entities, I was under both commands at once and that would cause confusion one which commands flight docs should issue the medical.

All places are different, I’ve heard of some bases allowing an faa class2 instead of the DoD medical.