Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Navy Vision Requirements

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Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 3/16/2011


Question
Hi,
I recently had a DODMERB physical for Navy ROTC and was turned down because I have "Myopia - refractive error greater than -8.00 diopeters (spherical equivalent).  However, with my contacts or glasses I can see better than 20/20.  What do you think my chances are for obtaining a waiver?  Can you give any insight as to why vision matters as long as it is correctable to 20/20? (Since I do not want to fly).  Thank you!

Very respectfully,
Megan

Answer
Megan,
The DODMERB is for ROTC and Service academies only and sometimes are a little more strict.

Here's a direct quote from the military medical regulations,

"Cause for rejection is 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 if yours are correctable to 20/20 you don't even need a waiver.  In Boot Camp you won't be allowed to wear your contacts, you must we military issue glasses.  Immediately afterwards, however, you can wear your contacts.

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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