Color Deficiency and the Navy

cmccollum4693

cmccollum4693

USMA 2015 Appointee
5-Year Member
Joined
Feb 1, 2010
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Is it at all possible to attend the Naval Academy with color deficiency? Can you still go on to become an officer in the Navy or Marine Corps with this condition? Can you do NROTC with color deficiency?

Are there any waivers?
 
I knew a few classmates who were color blind. You can get a waiver for it, but you would be going restricted line upon commissioning.
 
And what about the Marine Corps? What would my options be there?
 
cmccollum4693 said:
And what about the Marine Corps? What would my options be there?
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One of my sons (plebe) has a roommate who is color blind and he (the roommate) has every intent on being a Marine. I would think that if he couldn't be a Marine (because of the color blindness), he would know that.
 
There are a certain number of "color blind waivers" available for USNA. I have no idea how they decide who gets them; however, it limits your options upon graduation to USMC and a few restricted line/staff corps positions in the Navy.

The same would apply to NROTC. The army will take you color blind and not sure on the air force.
 
I believe USNA told us that up to 2% (~20 mids) of the class can receive a waiver for color-blindness each year. If I recall correctly, you must sign something on I-Day (or before) stating that you will go USMC. I haven't heard about being able to go Restricted Line. My guess -- and it's only that -- is that Restricted Line is an option for those NPQ for USMC or who, for some other reason, aren't able to go/aren't selected for USMC. You cannot be a pilot, NFO, SWO or submariner with colorblindness -- or so they said.

There may be more options at the other SAs, especially USMA, so you might explore that.
 
For what it's worth, guy in my company who was color blind went Seabees and knew that he was going restricted line his entire time at the Academy.
 
One of my friends was color blind, and he went SWO. Red, right, returning? He can't actually tell.
 
I am surprised that someone who is colorblind was permitted to go SWO; it certainly would seem limited. Interestingly, Roger Staubach is colorblind; he went Supply Corps upon graduation. The acid test for colorblindness is the Falant Lantern test.
 
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