Color vision

17hopefull

5-Year Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2013
Messages
6
Does anyone know if waivers are granted at USNA for color vision deficiency.
Will a candidate be able to be further tested on their own and submit results to DODMERB???
 
USNA can waiver up to 2% of an incoming class for color vision issues. Those waived have to sign something that states they understand that they must select USMC ground, restricted line, or staff corps upon graduation.
 
color vision issues

USNA can waiver up to 2% of an incoming class for color vision issues. Those waived have to sign something that states they understand that they must select USMC ground, restricted line, or staff corps upon graduation.
usna1985 do you have any current information on this topic. I was informed that USNA was not issuing waivers for color vision issues this year. My information was second hand I have not read anything to support this.
 
In fairness, USNA "can" waive up to 2% of each incoming class for color deficiency. That doesn't mean they must -- or even will -- issue any waivers in a given year.
 
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I was fortunate to receive a color vision medical waiver for USNA last spring. Like 1985 said, there are only a certain number of waivers that medical is willing to award, though exceptions are made. My roommate for plebe summer actually failed the color vision test on I-Day (no previous problems) and was granted a waiver within an hour, no questions asked, so the waiver process is "ambiguous" to say the least.

If you're a very qualified candidate and you got your DoDMERB results in quickly (i.e. last fall, January at the latest), there's no reason to believe that you shouldn't get a waiver. Considering that BFEs and TWEs are beginning to trickle out right about now, most of medical's allotted waivers have probably been exhausted, unfortunately. Time is the enemy.
 
I was fortunate to receive a color vision medical waiver for USNA last spring. Like 1985 said, there are only a certain number of waivers that medical is willing to award, though exceptions are made. My roommate for plebe summer actually failed the color vision test on I-Day (no previous problems) and was granted a waiver within an hour, no questions asked, so the waiver process is "ambiguous" to say the least.

If you're a very qualified candidate and you got your DoDMERB results in quickly (i.e. last fall, January at the latest), there's no reason to believe that you shouldn't get a waiver. Considering that BFEs and TWEs are beginning to trickle out right about now, most of medical's allotted waivers have probably been exhausted, unfortunately. Time is the enemy.

I complete my DODMERB physical last July. Was notified of waiver pending shortly after. Was told by admissions to wait for notification if more testing was needed. Didn't hear anything so completed my application and applied for nominations. Because of where I live I could only pick one academy to be nominated for it's a very competitive area. Received a nomination spoke to DODMERB was told it was up to academy. I know that I am red green deficient but not color blind and would pass the FALANT test. But they don't send candidates for that test anymore. Next thing I know is I received a letter from admissions that I was DQed for color vision problem. When I spoke to admissions I was told that they do grant waivers for color vision problems. I would like to try to reapply but would like to know how to go about getting retested for color vision.
Is it possible to take the vision test again for next year or will the results they have be the only one they use.

PS I have been told that I would good candidate. A varsity track runner, Eagle Scout with a lot of volunteer work with the community and veteran groups and an A student with a large number of college and AP courses.
 
I know that I am red green deficient but not color blind and would pass the FALANT test. But they don't send candidates for that test anymore.

We learned KP is no longer considering the FALANT (for the first time this year as I understand it), but I had not heard that about Navy. If true, it is annoying that for all the promotional stuff the academies manage to put out there, they seem not to be able to publish something so critical to many applicants... I imagine that the regulations still allow for an alternative color vision test, but administratively they just decide it is an easy means to weed out applicants. A clear statement from the academies on this point would allow many to temper their expectations.
So was Navy as coy as KP to write 'if your (incurable/unchangeable) medical condition changes be sure let us know'?
 
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