What US military branch can I join as a legally blind person?
According to the common US military enlistment standards,Visiona. Current distant visual acuity of any degree that does not correct with spectacle lenses to at least one of thefollowing (367) is disqualifying:(1) 20/40 in one eye and 20/70 in the other eye.(2) 20/30 in one eye and 20/100 in the other eye.(3) 20/20 in one eye and 20/400 in the other eye.Therefore, if you are legally blind (which is generally defined as 20/200 in your better eye) than you would be ineligible for enlistment. However, if you are only legally blind without correction, and correction does bring you within the standards listed above then you would be eligible for enlistment with any of the military services.Keep in mind that specific jobs have more stringent criteria. So, while you may qualify for some jobs, your choices will be more limited than someone without vision difficulties.AlternativesIf you are ineligible for military service, you may wish to volunteer with the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), the Coast Guard Auxiliary (CGAUX), or a State Defense Force (SDF).These are congressionally-mandated, state-supported non-military, non-paying, volunteer positions that allow you to support the work of the US military. Their standards are generally much more relaxed when compared to the military.
Marine Officer PLC vision requirements?
Pilots requirements: The Navy and the Marine Corps use the same standards (The Marines do not have their own medical department. They use the Navy for all medical procedures and standards). Navy Pilots must pass a Class I Flying Physical. To become a pilot in the Navy or Marine Corps, an applicant's uncorrected vision can be no worse than 20/40 (correctable to 20/20) in each eye. Once flight training begins, vision can deteriorate to no worse than 20/100 (correctable to 20/20) in each eye. After flight training graduation, if the eyesite deteriorates worse than 20/200 (must be correctable to 20/20), the pilot will require a waiver for carrier operations. If the vision deteriorates past 20/400 (correctable to 20/20), the pilot is restricted to aircraft with dual controls (ie, aircraft with co-pilots). Applicants for the PLC program must: Pass a written and physical examination and must meet minimum visual acuity, height and weight requirements as follows: VISUAL ACUITY, GROUND APPLICANTS Must be correctable to 20/20. VISUAL ACUITY, AVIATION APPLICANTS 20/40 uncorrected but must correct to 20/20. Hope this helps you... Also check out the website.
Disqualified from joining military due to eye condition! Help?
Unfortunately, Keratoconus is a degenerative disease that is incompatible with military service. While your vision might be OK at this stage in your life, this will not the the case as you age given the normal progress of the disease. Waivers are not possible. The only current permanent solution to Keratoconus is corneal transplants. While corneal transplants are not a bar to service, your condition must be stabilized over a period of time. Full recovery takes at least one year and you must have regular follow-on evaluations over a period of up to five years with no significant degeneration of vision or signs of corneal rejection before you would be approved for military service. If your Representative or Senator inquires on your behalf, it would only result in a detailed explanation as to what the disease is and why it is incompatible. He or she won't be able to "pull any strings" to get you in.
I have really poor vision (20/400 in both eyes) but it is correctable to 20/20. If I get PRK, would I be allowed to become an aviator in the military?
As was mentioned, it depends on the branch of service.U.S. Air Force: To enter flight training you must pass a Class I Flying Physical to become a pilot. That means vision must be no worse than 20/70, correctable to 20/20 with glasses. For Navigator training, vision must be no worse than 20/200 in each eye, correctable to 20/20Must have normal depth perception and color vision.In 2007, the Air Force rescinded its policy automatically disqualifying applicants to flight/navigator training for having had LASIK surgery. After years of testing they have found that high-altitude and g-forces exposure had little to no effect on they eyes of individuals that had LASIK surgery.However, because of the stresses experienced during flight, the recommended refractive surgeries are WFG-PRK and WFG-LASIK.Recommendation: Read AFI 48–123 “MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS AND STANDARDS”Vision requirements are in Chapter 5 Section 3 Part 5 and the “USAF REFRACTIVE SURGERY (USAF-RS) PROGRAM” is contained in Chapter 12.From AFI 48–123:“5.3.5.4.10. History of approved keratorefractive surgery procedures, including Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK), Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis (LASEK), epiLaser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (epi-LASIK), and Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) accomplished to modify the refractive power of the cornea are disqualifying if the surgical outcome results in the member’s inability to meet the above established vision standards or interferes with the member’s ability to perform his/her duties. All other lamellar keratoplasty (LK), penetrating keratoplasty (PK), and radial keratotomy (RK) procedures are disqualifying, regardless of visual outcome. See Chapter 12 for additional information.”Post procedure, individuals must meet standards set forth in AFI 48–123
Would having LASIK or LASEK disqualify me from joining the Special Forces (U.S.)?
I don’t know what the standards are now— when I went in, it was based on the eye requirements for HALO and Scuba. Lasik wasn’t around. There was RK which isn’t done any more I think.But here’s the thing, although SF is probably more maintstream now. I got RK in one eye, corrected to 20/20 but the other was awful and I didn’t get it done. Wore a contact in that eye to the physical for my paperwork. The warrant officer giving me the eye exam knew I was wearing a contact. I shouldn’t have passed. But he had a Special Forces combat patch on his right shoulder— old time medic. He signed off and told me I’d fit right in.You aint cheating, you aint trying.
Do the Marines allow glasses?
You sure can. While certain Military Occupational Specialties (MOSs) will have more stringent vision requirements, waivers are generally available for those with less than perfect eyesight. When I was in during the 90s, they issued two pair at the beginning of boot camp. The issue pair of glasses had that nostalgic, 50s, nerd look. They were dark brown and almost indestructible.Better known as “Birth Control Glasses”, they were standard issue 1990 — 2012. I’m sure you’re repeating in your head, “Birth Control Glasses?” Well, look at them. They were called that because one who wore them was certainly not getting lucky. After boot camp you were allowed to wear your own as long as they were not “eccentric” and considered “conservative in appearance”.Here is a picture of me in boot camp in 1991 with mine on. The white tape on the left arm had our name stamped on it. We also had to wear a “brain strap” with the BCs. It was an elastic strap that connected to the arms and kept the glasses attached to our “grapes”.Graduation picture much better. No BCs on.In 2012–13, they were replaced with these stylish 5A frames.SOURCES:Jeanette Steele, The San Diego Union-Tribune, “Goodbye, 'birth control' glasses”, 2012