USNA and color deficiency

J

jchez

5-Year Member
Joined
Sep 3, 2010
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Today I went to my local optometrist to be given my dodmerb eye exam. While there, I found out that I have a color deficiency that hasn't been caught until now (well after my 18th birthday). I asked the optometrist if he had any information regarding whether or not I would still be allowed into the Academy with said deficiency, yet he was unable to give me any information. I was hoping someone knew something?
 
so, you're color blind I take it...and if so then you will be disqualified and no waiver for color blindness that I know of
 
[I was hoping someone knew something?]

Suggest you email Larry Mullen at DoDMERB with any questions. A search on this forum under "color vision deficiency" yielded some interesting results.

Good luck!
 
jchez said:
.... whether or not I would still be allowed into the Academy with said deficiency....
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USNA'02 said:
.... you will be disqualified and no waiver for color blindness that I know of
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There are a limited number of color-blindness waivers granted each year at USNA, however, they come with significant restrictions on service selection possibilities.
 
Jchez - The REAL answer is: cut and paste your posting; provide me your full name and last 4 SSN; and send to me at Larry.Mullen@dodmerb.tma.osd.mil. If you send today, I will reply no later than midnight tomorrow. I can assist you better from there.:thumb:
 
I suffered the same instance and was found colorblind. I was able to pass the Falant by a Flight Surgeon and was not in need of a waiver. However, upon reporting to plebe summer, I did not pass the Falant (after 3 tries):eek:. I was accepted but will have to be Navy restricted line or Marine ground.
 
USNA'02 said:
so, you're color blind I take it...
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I can see color fine and have never had any trouble in this area previously. I just had trouble with a few of the red/green pages in the color deficiency test booklet.
 
Having trouble with reds and greens is a significant problem if you're conning ships or aircraft. The FALANT Lantern test is the defining test from all reports and experience. You could be accepted, but as noted above, your service selection will be restricted. DO RESPOND TO MULLENLE ASAP - he is very knowledgeable and helpful in medical issues. Don't dispair - Roger Staubach was reputed to have color blindness problems.
 
I have a classmate (class of 2014) who is colorblind...don't fear...he painted something green thinking it was black. The thing is you can't be a Unrestricted Line Officer.
 
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