End of the Road

Well, owing to a previously unknown color vision deficiency and USMMA's policy of not considering/offering alternate color perception tests (because of USCG licensing rules)... also news to us..., DS's application adventure at USMMA is at an unfortunate end. We learned via the application status changing to 'disqualified' followed by some inquiries.
He will persist with other academies and ROTC options, but I hear the hinges squeaking on doors swinging closed.

I am sure we all share your disappointment. However, since it seems almost every year there are kids who find out half way through indoc that they have failed the color test and need to leave, perhaps it is better to find out now. That squeaking door opens to new things, so good luck in the future.

One of my classmates didn't find out about his color blindness issue until the last quarter of First Class year. Oops. And that is one thing that I can't figure out. Maybe my pre-nomination physical was different from what most potential cadets go through. I know I had a full flight physical at the local AFB. It was 8 full hours of testing, probing, sampling, etc. It felt like that scene in the movie "The Right Stuff".

Sorry to hear about it. Like others have stated, at least y'all know about it early before investing too much time and effort in the process.

JMS said:

Well, owing to a previously unknown color vision deficiency and USMMA's policy of not considering/offering alternate color perception tests (because of USCG licensing rules)... also news to us..., DS's application adventure at USMMA is at an unfortunate end. We learned via the application status changing to 'disqualified' followed by some inquiries.
He will persist with other academies and ROTC options, but I hear the hinges squeaking on doors swinging closed.

Click to expand...

My 2015 son has a color deficiency but is not color blind. We found this out when going through the process as well. I have not heard of any change in rules- thus, don't slam that door shut just yet. You need to check to see if they still accept the Farnsworth Lantern Test---it's actually a very old test and is more accurate... two 2015 kids went through this (and I know of a few older kids as well) and still got their LOA (and both 2015 midshipmen are doing great btw).
If your son is color blind, then you are right, this is the end of the road. If he is color deficient, then you need to take him to get the Farnsworth Lantern Test. We drove to the Great Lakes Naval Station (NW Chicago) for DS to take that test and pass it. My DS can see all of his colors just fine- he just can't pass the dot test. Color blind people can't see colors (or certain colors) but color deficient people CAN see their colors just fine. If your child is sincerely color deficient, he can pass the Farnsworth Lantern test (but there are only a few places in the country that give it). (I know there is also a place in Manhatten that gives that test as well)
Hint; the suggestion for color deficient people when taking the Farnsworth Lantern Test is to let thier eyes adjust before they speak and say what color they see.... if they are truly color deficient, then their eyes will see the correct color and they will pass the test.

Kind Regards.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts.
Aooga15, thanks, too, for your advice. We are aware of the FALENT test and are anticipating having an opportunity to take it via the other academies. But USMMA was very direct in stating they do not accept the FALENT. No alternate color vision tests.

As a current First Classman who is color deficient and took the FALANT on the way in as a DODMERB waiver, I hope to God this policy hasn't changed since I've been here haha. I actually had to retake the number cards again this year and once again failed it for commissioning but they told me they were scheduling me a remedial test. Maybe they changed their policy for acceptance? I think other academies accept applicants who are color deficient though because when I had to take the remedial test the first time they sent me to West Point. Good luck with everything!

policy change

JMS- I am so sorry, but yes, there was a policy change effective for the class of 2017.

"Effective this year, if an applicant gets DQ’d for color deficiency, DoDMERB will not request the Farnsworth Lantern test and no waivers will be granted. So unfortunately that is the end of the road for students trying to get into the USMMA if they fail the PIP test."

kpmid13, yes, this new policy is for the class of 2017 and beyond... the current midshipmen at the Academy are fine.
JMS- Best of luck to your DS.

As the parent of a 2012 grad who needed to take the Lantern Test, passed it and has been sailing since graduation successfully on their liscence I have to wonder aloud what propmpted this change, especially since the other SA's allow it.

Sorry to hear this is the end of the road for the OP but I'd guess the shrinking of the entering class size is part of the reason to be more stringent on the selection criteria. That said since by taking and passing the Lantern test you can get both your Commission, USNR and your USCG Merchant Mariner Lisence it really makes no sense to me - with this change USMMA would like refuse entry to Nathaniel Bowditch if he were alive today...