Contact Lenses at VMI during Ratline?

VMI2017+3

D-35k Pilot
5-Year Member
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Jun 7, 2016
Messages
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Are Rats allowed to have contact lenses during the Ratline, the new cadet handbook makes no mention of them. it only says to bring two pairs of eye glasses if needed. I have a pair of contacts and a pair of glasses, is that acceptable?
 
Honestly - you need to bring what the packing list tells you. Especially for the first month or so of the Rat line you are going to be doing a lot of really physical and really vigorous and really dirty, really sweaty physical contact , outdoor - in the woods and in the river type activities. You know- the kind of activities that maximize your chances for lost lenses or badly cleaned lenses that lead to scratched corneas etc... So while the contacts will work just fine - as a contact/ glasses wearer myself I would advise bringing the 2 pairs of glasses they tell you to and make sure that at least one is really durable construction (and bring a pair of croakies for them too ).
 
My son wore contacts during the ratline, but not during hell week. No time for them during hell week. I think some days during the ratline he had time and some he didn't so it may be a day by day thing after hell week. His contacts are daily dislosable so losing them was not a huge issue. If you aren't wearing disposables you may want to stick with glasses.
 
I'm wearing ones that last about 2 weeks. Thanks for the response!
 
Roommate made it through the entire ratline with contacts, even perfected putting them in in about 10 seconds during hell week. You should be fine, but I would advise bringing glasses for hell week.
 
I'm going to bring glasses too, but one pair? It would be costly to get another pair because insurance won't cover them? Already had to buy new lenses to get rid of transitions? Or are they going to want two pairs despite having contacts?
 
Quite honestly, they really don't care. I made it through with just one pair, and I don't wear contacts. Just make sure they fit right on your face, it can be a pain to have them flopping around when you can't touch them to adjust them.
 
Thanks so much, are you still at VMI out of curiosity? Or are you alum?
 
I think my son took an old pair as a back up. He also had to get new ones to get rid of transitions. You should be fine with one pair if you also have contacts.
 
Honestly - you need to bring what the packing list tells you. Especially for the first month or so of the Rat line you are going to be doing a lot of really physical and really vigorous and really dirty, really sweaty physical contact , outdoor - in the woods and in the river type activities. You know- the kind of activities that maximize your chances for lost lenses or badly cleaned lenses that lead to scratched corneas etc... So while the contacts will work just fine - as a contact/ glasses wearer myself I would advise bringing the 2 pairs of glasses they tell you to and make sure that at least one is really durable construction (and bring a pair of croakies for them too ).
GREAT point! Key words "at least one pair is really durable construction w/ croakies." Don't think I'd recommend contacts during all the PT sessions!
 
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