Expert: Howard Lorenz - 11/9/2007

Question
I am 18, and i am a senior in highschool. i swear into the Air Force this coming Thursday. (mock swear-in at meps.) I want to be a PJ, but my visions bad.  I know about the whole being humble, and putting others first which is in me. But hear me out. I am a great athlete. i play basketball, and i can swim 45 meters underwater.(and further) I am so physically able to do this. and i am a team player, definetly willing to put others first, and mentally, having considered it for a while now. But my vision is not good at all. maybe it is about 20/2400 im guessing. and i know it has to be 20/70 uncorrected at worst. This is the only thing holding me back. it really hurts. But is there any...and i mean any lasik or prk procedures i can get to qualify? I am a vessel who wants to be trained by the Airforce to be a PJ. I know there is hope for me. Could it be that a there is no hope for me lasik or prk??? my physical and mental specs and dedication below
_Age 18
-Dedicated lives by PJ motto(that others may live)
-6ft4 Athletic
-188 lbs
-Can do the (push ups & sit ups)
-chin ups
-pullups
- and swim 45 meters
-great postive teamwork attitude
-will die for others, to save lives.
IS THERE HOPE FOR ME WITH ANY TYPE OF LASIK OR PRK PROCEDURES. SO THAT I CAN BECOME A PJ TO ENSURE "THAT OTHERS MAY LIVE" ?

Answer
Hello Nicholas,

Sounds to me that you are of the needed type A personality that we need in the PJ's. The one thing you have to remember is that you are fighting a war with the regulations for 'Entry" into the Air Force. Does this mean that you can never become a PJ? No it does not. Once you are in the airforce, you can have the surgery done at an airforce medical center, it may take some time. You have to become qualified in the careerfield that you will enter the airforce under. If you keep fit and hold the same desire to become a PJ, you can apply to cross train later.

There is no guarantees, but it is possible. You have to get into the Air force and work the system from the inside. The entry rules are what they are. The other thing you have to remember is that ALL airforce jobs pay the same.

My advise to you is, get in...Become qualified....EXCELL in your new job....have the surgery. Let the eye docs know your plans...Let your supervisors know your plans. They can help as well as the Military Personnell Flight.

All in all , if you are not able to get in, You are still apart of a team that supports the PJ's Mission. All of the missions that the Air Force does on a daily basis is in support of the Main Mission...The war on terror...

You are on the right track, you have to get in and figure out how to work the system to your advantage. If there is a will, there is a way!

HW