Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 11/1/2010

Question
Hi, im in the process of trying to join the military. Im looking for a career in special forces. Ive already looked into getting a contract to go to BUD/S for SEAL training but I hit a roadblock with my eyesight.
I have (according to my eye doctor) 20/70 in both of my eyes, correctable to 20/20. But SEALs want 20/40 in your better eye and 20/70 in your worse correctable to 20/25. I was already offered Diver and Air Rescue but im looking for a combat capable unit. I can do Navy EOD but once again im looking for something more combat oriented.
So my question is what other special ops units in the military would accept a candidate with such eyesight. I tried looking into Rangers and Green Berets but couldnt find anything. Thanks in advance for your help.  

Answer
Lucas,
As you've discovered, the SEALS have their own physical standards, independent of the Navy, and stricter than the Navy.  That's true with most of the SpecOps programs but some aren't as strict.  The Army Rangers require distance vision correctable to 20/20 in one eye, and 20/100 in the other eye.  Infantry Airborne Ranger would be your best bet to see direct combat action.

Normally the Army only selects soldiers with at least 3 years time in Service before trying for the SpecOps program (Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course).  But now there is a new program that allows you to go straight to the SFAS after Army Boot Camp - skipping the 3 year wait.  Ask your local Army Recruiter for more details.

Also, there is Delta Force, but god only knows what their vision requirements are, they're so secretive in everything they do.

Of course you don't have to be SpecOps to see combat.  Today's Infantry soldier is seeing more action that they ever would have believed.  Vision requirements for Army Infantry is
- 20/40 in one eye and 20/70 in the other eye.
- 20/30 in one eye and 20/100 in the other eye.
- 20/20 in one eye and 20/400 in the other eye.
Which basically means the worse one eye is, the better the other eye must be.

The same vision requirements hold true for the Marine Corps Infantry, which is also seeing a lot of combat action right now.
So basically you're looking at the Army or USMC.  If you're in good enough physical condition to qualify for a SpecOps unit, I envy you.

Colonel H