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Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Vision Requirements
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Question
My son is 15 and would consider joining the Air force, if he can pass the vision requirements. His left eye cannot physically move to the left. He can move it up, down, and to the right only. The nerve that signals the eye to move left never developed. He wears glasses and has no problem seeing. Can he join the Air force with this condition?
Florencio,
I doubt it. It's something that's easily noticed by doctors. He has Sixth Cranial Nerve Palsy, correct? I had this as a result of meningitis, but I was already in the Air Force at the time. It left me with double-vision for awhile. Just wearing glasses is not a disqualifier, but this nerve disorder is. The Air Force is looking for conditions that will eventually heal or go away on their own and won't cost them a lot of money for health care years later. Unfortunately this condition won't go away.
Having said that, there's always the waiver process which a recruiter will assist him in. In years when a service is having trouble meeting their quota of enlistments, waivers are granted pretty freely. There's no harm in trying.
I applaud him for wanting to serve his country. When he's of age, go for it. The worst that can happen is they will say no.
Best of Luck,
Colonel Howell
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thank you very much. Your response has been most helpful. I'm not completely familiar with the terminology, but that is correct. He was born with this condition- the sixth and seventh nerve never developed. He's so adjusted we never, nor he even notice it. | ||
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Answers by Expert:
MARK A. HOWELL
Expertise
All military questions, any Service. 30 years experience & two Ph.D.'s. 4 times Base Commander. Worked with Army, Navy, USMC, USCG and several foreign military units. Veteran of Kosovo, Bosnia, Macedonia, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, and 10 civil wars in Africa.
Experience
Air Force Colonel with 30 years experience. Air Force Base Commander 4 times. Highly decorated.
Organizations
Org of Am Historians, Wild West History Assoc.,
Disabled American Veterans - Life Member, Am Motorcyclist Assoc. - Life Member,
North Am Hunt Club - Life Member, NWTF - Life Member
Publications
Numerous book reviews published in the Journal of American History.
Two books submitted for publication.
Education/Credentials
Ph.D. in military history, Columbus University (Summa Cum Laude)
Ph.D. in history, Northfield University, London, England (Summa Cum Laude)
Master of Arts degree in history, Marshall University, WV
Bachelors degree, double-major in history and mathematics, Salem College, WV
Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL
Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL
Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL
Awards and Honors
Legion of Merit
Defense MSM
MSM x 5
Joint Commendation Mdl
AF Commendation Medal
Army Commendation Mdl
Joint Achievement Mdl
AF Achievement Medal
Outstanding Volunteer Mdl
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