AFROTC Detached Retina

DoctorSpock

New Member
Joined
Jul 5, 2016
Messages
3
I will be starting college in August and I've decided I want to pursue AFROTC (I am not on scholarship). However, I am a bit concerned over a medical issue I previously had that may disqualify me. When I was two weeks old I had to have surgery to reattach my retina's. Other than those two surgeries, my vision has been stable (I need to wear glasses, but fine otherwise). I've done multiple contact sports (doctors were totally fine with it) and have had no issues. Otherwise, I don't see anything else that could disqualify me from pursuing an Air Force career. What I don't want to do is go through two years of AFROTC and then find out I can't sign the contract because I'm medically disqualified. Thanks for the help.
 
It will not be a waste of time. It will keep you fit. You will meet new friends and you may even learn something. There was a post today that as a college programmer you will go through the medical process your first year. So it would only be one year, not 2.

This is what I see as pertintant to the retna and optic nerve from http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/613003p.pdf starting around page 11.

d. Retina
(1) Current or history of any abnormality of the retina (361.00-362.89, 363.14-363.22), choroid (363.00-363.9) or vitreous (379.2x). e.

Optic Nerve
(1) Any current or history of optic nerve disease (377.3), including but not limited to optic nerve inflammation (363.05), optic nerve swelling, or optic nerve atrophy (377.12, 377.14).
(2) Any optic nerve anomaly.

If your condition fits the above listed criteria you would still have a chance at getting a waiver.

Be the best you can be academically and excel in ROTC. Make them want you and you may get that waiver.
 
It will not be a waste of time. It will keep you fit. You will meet new friends and you may even learn something. There was a post today that as a college programmer you will go through the medical process your first year. So it would only be one year, not 2.

This is what I see as pertintant to the retna and optic nerve from http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/613003p.pdf starting around page 11.

d. Retina
(1) Current or history of any abnormality of the retina (361.00-362.89, 363.14-363.22), choroid (363.00-363.9) or vitreous (379.2x). e.

Optic Nerve
(1) Any current or history of optic nerve disease (377.3), including but not limited to optic nerve inflammation (363.05), optic nerve swelling, or optic nerve atrophy (377.12, 377.14).
(2) Any optic nerve anomaly.

If your condition fits the above listed criteria you would still have a chance at getting a waiver.

Be the best you can be academically and excel in ROTC. Make them want you and you may get that waiver.


Thank you! That's good advice. I've done a fair amount of reading on the retina issue and I'm finding that they really do not want to waiver the problem for whatever reason. I think the reduction in force is part of it as well. I might give it a shot anyways and see what happens.
 
Different military branches may have varying degrees of tolerance for waivers for each condition. If you goal is service or scholarship over Air Force, you may want to investigate the different branches to give youself the best chance of commissioning.
 
Were you a premature baby and had retinal laser for retinopathy of prematurity?

Babies aren't just born with retinal detachments, there is, almost without exception, an underlying cause.

A history of bilateral retinal detachments with repair is going to be a major uphill battle for a waiver (and has nothing to do with force shaping). As long as you understand the odds of a waiver and have a solid backup plan that you truly like then you will be fine.
 
Were you a premature baby and had retinal laser for retinopathy of prematurity?

Babies aren't just born with retinal detachments, there is, almost without exception, an underlying cause.

A history of bilateral retinal detachments with repair is going to be a major uphill battle for a waiver (and has nothing to do with force shaping). As long as you understand the odds of a waiver and have a solid backup plan that you truly like then you will be fine.
Hi there. So I was born at 27 weeks (13 weeks early) with retinopathy. I just was just too early really for everything to be done and my eyes suffered for it. Laser eye surgery saved my vision (twin wasn't so lucky). My eyes have been fine ever since and I'm healthy as a horse. Yeah I know it's an uphill battle, but I still do want to give it a shot. You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.
 
Back
Top