PRK

S

speedbump

5-Year Member
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Feb 25, 2012
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What is the ROTC policy on PRK? I am a non-contracted MS I cadet, and my eyes are well out of requirements, but with PRK, I'm expected to be within the normal guidelines. I will then need a PRK waiver instead of the various waivers I now need.

I know for a fact that there's a 6-month waiting period after PRK to submit my waiver packet, but does anyone know if PRK in itself is a nonwaiverable disqualifier? I'm getting conflicting reports from various sources, and I was hoping someone here would have the answer.

As stated earlier, I'm an MS I so the 6-month healing period shouldn't be a problem, but the issue lies in whether I'll be able to get it before school gets out or I'll have to get it in late-August/early-September, as I'll be in a different place this summer and PRK requires frequent check ups with your surgeon. If I get it done early September and turn in my packet as early as possible in March, I'm not sure if my waiver request will be approved in time for me to contract as a non-scholarship MS III cadet.

(Sigh)
 
I would definitely also be interested in this from a Marine Option NROTC perspective.
 
speedbump said:
What is the ROTC policy on PRK? I am a non-contracted MS I cadet, and my eyes are well out of requirements, but with PRK, I'm expected to be within the normal guidelines. I will then need a PRK waiver instead of the various waivers I now need.

I know for a fact that there's a 6-month waiting period after PRK to submit my waiver packet, but does anyone know if PRK in itself is a nonwaiverable disqualifier? I'm getting conflicting reports from various sources, and I was hoping someone here would have the answer.

As stated earlier, I'm an MS I so the 6-month healing period shouldn't be a problem, but the issue lies in whether I'll be able to get it before school gets out or I'll have to get it in late-August/early-September, as I'll be in a different place this summer and PRK requires frequent check ups with your surgeon. If I get it done early September and turn in my packet as early as possible in March, I'm not sure if my waiver request will be approved in time for me to contract as a non-scholarship MS III cadet.

(Sigh)
Click to expand...

Why not ask your cadre? Or are they giving you some of the conflicting answers?
 
Out of curiosity, are you doing PRK for rated chances?

AFROTC has the same deal, and our DS was a candidate for PRK at your age, but traditionally they do not want to do this surgery until you are 20. Number 1 reason why is the fact your eyes are still forming until that age. SA's will pay for this, but not until they are entering the equivalent of your MSIII yr. I use the SA's as a rule of thumb when it comes to ROTC cadets. Kind of like saying what would they do? Our DS's eyes corrected by their self and he never had the surgery. He is an AFROTC rated cadet with a UPT slot.

His classmate decided to do it and, out of all of the cadets asking for rated, he was the only one to get Nav, not pilot. The reason why is it is a surgery, with inherent risks. The surgeon did Tiger Woods, and Vijay Singh's eyes, so he was not a slouch. It cost thousands of dollars out of pocket. His eyes did not heal as fast as they thought, and he was DQ'd for pilot. A yr later and he is still fighting to at least get alternate for UPT.

I know each service determines the waiver, but I will say to you, what Bullet and I said to our DS. Eyes are not something you mess with unless it is an absolute must.

Clarkson is correct talk to your det., but more importantly ask yourself what if it doesn't go as plan, is it worth the risk?
 
my nephew got PRK at the Naval Academy... either sophomore or Junior year. He asked about doing it prior to I-Day, and they said no, absolutely don't do it. He said the Academy requires that THEY do it, and they pay for it. Apparently the way the Academy specifies PRK leaves the greatest ability for the eyeball structure to withstand the G-forces during flight and not split open (sorry to be so graphic). He passed his physical and was appointed to Naval Aviator billet a little over a year ago.
 
If the USNA is the same as the AFA, it is rising C2C yr.

Again, it is after they are @20 yrs old. The reason they do it is because they are taking the medical risk since at this point whether they graduate or not they will serve in the military.

ROTC will not pay for it at any point. It is on your dime.

One thing to also think about is timing issues. LDAC will occur when you are rising MSIII, and @ 20, but you can't do it if you are at LDAC, and you need it healed to be able to participate in PT fall semester. That leaves a small window.

If you wait to rising MSIV, you get back into the situation of the waiver issue from DoDMERB when it comes to branching.

Talk to your cadre if this is your path to determine what time frame is optimal.
 
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