Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 9/8/2009

Question
I am a part of the the AFROTC at the University of Houston, and won a $90,000 scholarship last semester. However, I failed my DODMERB physical because of 1 eye, and lost my scholarship and was unfortunately unable to attend Field Training this summer. I passed everything else on the physical, and my right eye is 20/30. Unfortunately my bad eye, is very bad. It is 20/800. The Cadre attempted at getting a waiver for me but since I performed so well, and I am a tech major (Mechanical Engineering). I scored well on the AFOQT, and have passed with good scores on all PFA's. I am curious if the requirements are the same on the enlisted side and/or if they are different for each branch. I want to serve, and I am considering the Coast Guard Reserves while I am still in school, then moving on to the Air Force enlisted. Of course, I am willing to do any branch, Officer would be nice, but I would not mind enlisting. I tried to get corrective surgery, but I am not a candidate. Are there any other options? Is it the same requirements for enlisted as commissioned?

Answer
Dear Daniel --

I cannot answer your question because the specifics of your eye troubles are critical in determining whether you can get a waiver or not.

Usually as long as your eyesight is correctable to 20/30 or 20/40 with corrective lenses, you can serve.  That makes me feel that you are legally blind in one eye and the condition is not correctable with glasses or contact lenses.  If this is not true, and your vision is correctable, you have been rejected for your scholarship inappropriately and should petition and challenge the decision.  Understand that if you were striving for a pilot's position in the Air Force, your eyesight will disqualify you.  But if your eyesight is otherwise correctable, you could serve as an officer in any service that has waivers, just not as a pilot.

The vision requirement is generally the same for officer and enlisted, with pilots having the highest vision requirement.  Some other specialties will also require high acuity in both eyes, but other specialties should be open to you.

Please write back, if you have additional questions.  Good luck to you.