Eyesight and Jets

If one wishes to fly jets and is slightly nearsighted in the 20/50 range, all other parameters being normal, which Academy is more eye surgery 'friendly' in order to help a cadet/midshipman reach his goal?

That's not an easy answer, since by the time the eye correction occurs you will be already committed to the service. All I know from the AF side is they will do it if you fit the parameters and ARE selected for UPT. I am guessing the same is true for the Navy.

You should never join either branch using this as your measuring stick. This is repeated 1 million times on this board. To have the goal fly jets is great, but there are so many you have to clear to get there it is unreal...starting with graduating! It always comes off as I am being negative, but it is just coming from the voice of experience. Only 10 -15 guys out of 100 will fly fighters, thus, go for the branch, not because you have a better chance of maybe one day flying. 9 yrs of your life is a long time to give because you joined to fly.

The Navy does not require you to select aviation to get PRK, most people get it done during there junior year because the navy wants to have you meet the vision standards before you select.

Pima said:

All I know from the AF side is they will do it if you fit the parameters and ARE selected for UPT.

Click to expand...

So the Navy will allow eye surgery prior to Aviator selection and the AF will only allow it after selection? I assume then that UPT selection is during the third year to assure that eye surgery is completed and deemed satisfactory prior to graduation?

Pima, I don't think there is anything wrong with having goals and the more loftythey are probably the more one will be willing to work to achieve them. So long as one minimizes the variables, strives to reach the goal, and is mature enough to accept the consequences if he fauls short, no harm is done.

This is a question for Larry Mullen.
In my opinion, to many variables involved forecasting the the future. You can't answer this question for a hopeful SA applicant at this stage with certainty.

I have to respectfully disagree with you Max, because this has nothing to do with DODMERB and is more related to service selection if anything.

100sof?s said:

Pima, I don't think there is anything wrong with having goals and the more loftythey are probably the more one will be willing to work to achieve them. So long as one minimizes the variables, strives to reach the goal, and is mature enough to accept the consequences if he fauls short, no harm is done.

Click to expand...

I think Pima would be the last one to say you shouldn't have goals. But a reality check is also important. Your dream is to be a pilot. Great! Work hard toward that goal. But just like when you apply to a SA, have a Plan B. If you are ONLY willing to serve if you can fly jets, then what will you do if you find you are disqualified physically after you've already made a commitment? Or if you don't get jets, but have UAVs? I'm not saying I think you are thinking like that. But we can't tell from your original post. Read Pima's post as a reminder that it is a difficult thing to do and you will have to work very hard, and that you at least need to consider your options for Plan B. Sometimes things happen that are completely out of our control. You still have the commitment to the service even if you don't get to fly.

Best of luck as you pursue your dreams!

KP is exactly right. There are so many roads ahead of you that may halt your dream, but you still owe back time.

Great example, our friend played football for the AFA. He was injured, but not so bad that he could not fly. Fast forward 8 yrs as a Captain he plays squadron flag football, he gets injured again and now became DNIF. He had just signed his 3 yr committment, and it was over for him. In the end he retired out of the AFA 2 yrs ago as a full bird colonel, never having flown again in 15 yrs. because it wasn't just about flying to him.

On the flip side we have had friends who did not get promoted above major because all they ever wanted to do was fly. They never took a desk assignment, never got a masters, never did PME. His family will lose thousands of dollars every yr because of that decision.

Have the dream, but don't be so shortsighted to see just that dream. Also, what happens if you go to UPT, but they give you a UAV, are you still going to want to stay in the AF, or is it all about the jet? You need to be honest with yourself, expect the best, but be prepared for the worst. That is all I am trying to point out.

AS far as the dream being lofty so you will aspire to obtain them, that is a personal belief. I don't see flying jets being lofty (probably because Bullet did it for 21 yrs), I see it as the same type of goal as if someone said I want to be JAG. What I would say that would be lofty IMHO is the thought that you can get the military to pick up the law school bill. Lofty also would be a flight surgeon for the 22 or Air Force 1, because you really are a rarity when it comes to the military.

100sof?s said:

If one wishes to fly jets and is slightly nearsighted in the 20/50 range, all other parameters being normal, which Academy is more eye surgery 'friendly' in order to help a cadet/midshipman reach his goal?

Click to expand...

the corrective surgery thing is kind of a non issue for you though. Last i read you are at the edge of the parameters for having qualified eyesight already. if not, you can probably get a waiver or something along those lines. I think, but don't quote me on this, that 20/60 vision will not qualify you for surgery. It's got to be a lot worse, like 20/200 or something like that.

20/70 distant, 20/20 near, and fully correctable to 20/20 (with contacts/glasses) is the requirement for the USAF, IIRC.