Color blind waivers

SCMids

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Jan 14, 2016
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My son was disqualified for color deficiency. I understand there are only about 20 waivers for that. First question, is that number true? Second, he received a waiver today. Does that mean . . .?
 
You're right: waivers for color perception are very rare. The number seems to vary from year to year, probably depending on factors like the needs of the Navy and the "quality" of that year's candidates (air quotes because this info is not published, and we are all guessing).

If your DS got a waiver, that's promising. USNA has to decide whether to grant waivers on a case-by-case basis. They're not going to invest the time to put one in for a candidate they don't want.

Your DS should understand that there are jobs in the Navy he won't be eligible for, that are not even waiverable, like Navy pilot. (Can someone else speak to whether he can go unrestricted line?) But if he's offered an appointment, he has four years to learn what his choices are and to choose accordingly.

Good luck!
 
Congratulations, could you tell me how he was notified. Best of luck to your son
 
You're right: waivers for color perception are very rare. The number seems to vary from year to year, probably depending on factors like the needs of the Navy and the "quality" of that year's candidates (air quotes because this info is not published, and we are all guessing).

If your DS got a waiver, that's promising. USNA has to decide whether to grant waivers on a case-by-case basis. They're not going to invest the time to put one in for a candidate they don't want.

Your DS should understand that there are jobs in the Navy he won't be eligible for, that are not even waiverable, like Navy pilot. (Can someone else speak to whether he can go unrestricted line?) But if he's offered an appointment, he has four years to learn what his choices are and to choose accordingly.

Good luck!
It seems intuitive that if they only grant about 24 that they intend to take those 24. Our fingers are crossed. He is a midsib and was a very competitive candidate until the color blind test. Maybe he's back on track now.
 
If a waiver has been granted, I would take that as a good turn of events. However, he will most likely go, upon graduation, to a Restricted Line community where his "handicap" will not risk death and destruction such as Supply Corps. Aviation, SWO, and Sub deck officers have to be able to distinguish between red and green because that, visually, is the only way to tell the right from left side of a moving ship/aircraft at night. Red and green lights are also all over control panels with red traditionally being a very bad light to come on and green a good one. The Marines, however, allow certain degrees of color blindness and the exact parameters, I don't know (Marine Air is out, obviously).

While many shipboard Supply Corps types will stand bridge watches as a part-of-the-team move and to professionally enhance their careers, your son would not be able to do that. But as far as him being a great candidate for USNA and the Academy being interested in him, things are going well. How's he like Marine green? Where's Hoops for a little motivation talk?
 
If a waiver has been granted, I would take that as a good turn of events. However, he will most likely go, upon graduation, to a Restricted Line community where his "handicap" will not risk death and destruction such as Supply Corps. Aviation, SWO, and Sub deck officers have to be able to distinguish between red and green because that, visually, is the only way to tell the right from left side of a moving ship/aircraft at night. Red and green lights are also all over control panels with red traditionally being a very bad light to come on and green a good one. The Marines, however, allow certain degrees of color blindness and the exact parameters, I don't know (Marine Air is out, obviously).

While many shipboard Supply Corps types will stand bridge watches as a part-of-the-team move and to professionally enhance their careers, your son would not be able to do that. But as far as him being a great candidate for USNA and the Academy being interested in him, things are going well. How's he like Marine green? Where's Hoops for a little motivation talk?
Definitely likes the Marines!
 
If a waiver has been granted, I would take that as a good turn of events. However, he will most likely go, upon graduation, to a Restricted Line community where his "handicap" will not risk death and destruction such as Supply Corps. Aviation, SWO, and Sub deck officers have to be able to distinguish between red and green because that, visually, is the only way to tell the right from left side of a moving ship/aircraft at night. Red and green lights are also all over control panels with red traditionally being a very bad light to come on and green a good one. The Marines, however, allow certain degrees of color blindness and the exact parameters, I don't know (Marine Air is out, obviously).

While many shipboard Supply Corps types will stand bridge watches as a part-of-the-team move and to professionally enhance their careers, your son would not be able to do that. But as far as him being a great candidate for USNA and the Academy being interested in him, things are going well. How's he like Marine green? Where's Hoops for a little motivation talk?
Good explanation, I didn't think of the red / green, starboard / port issue.

ScMids, good luck with your DS. Hope to see you there on I day!
 
If DS is fortunate enough to gain an appointment, make sure he investigates the limitations that his color deficiency will have. He may not be happy with the options and he may want to choose a different way to serve our country.
 
If DS is fortunate enough to gain an appointment, make sure he investigates the limitations that his color deficiency will have. He may not be happy with the options and he may want to choose a different way to serve our country.
He's a midsib. He knows those restrictions well. He's in a West Point, so he may have a choice. He seems fine with restrictions at USNA. Wants to serve and get that world class education. Bottom line: he's good with the restrictions!
 
He's a midsib. He knows those restrictions well. He's in a West Point, so he may have a choice. He seems fine with restrictions at USNA. Wants to serve and get that world class education. Bottom line: he's good with the restrictions!
Another step forward. He got the letter telling him of the restrictions and asking him to sign agreeing that he wilL accept those restrictions. I asked him What he thought, but he had signed it before I was finished with my question.
 
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