Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Navy vision requirements

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Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 4/24/2009


Question
I was denied a vision waiver from the Army. The waiver was passed by MEPs and made its way up the chain of command at USARC and the last medical doctor there denied it saying my eyes would get worst over the years. I am 20/40 in the left eye and 20/200 in the right. I am talking to Navy recruiters and they, like the army, said I will have no problem. What do you think??

Answer
Billy,
Sounds like you should go with the Navy.  In my opinion you'll be better off there anyway.

A direct quote from the regulation that the MEPS uses says, "Distant visual acuity of any degree that does not correct with spectacle lenses to at least one of the following:
(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."
So it sounds like you will pass if your right eye is corrected to at least 20/70 with glasses.

If you do get in, the military is offering laser eye surgery to servicemembers at no cost, after you've been in awhile.  Then you may never need glasses at all.  I had it done and it's great!

Good luck and thanks for wanting to serve!
Colonel H

Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard

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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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