Hi, I just wanted to know what the color vision requirements are for being an air force officer. I know that you cant fly if you are color blind, but am I correct in thinking that most other jobs are available to people who have color deficiencies? I was just wondering because I know that the navy is very strict with regards to color vision and that the army just has the vivid red/green color requirement. Thanks.
Color Vision Requirments
- Thread starter tibreaker
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Depends on the job and how bad it is as well. Flying wise the navy is not as restricted for vision, many fail AF and try to join the navy in those regards. Unfortunately I cannot remember the reg but they would catch it right away at Meps so no reason to not try and see. I'm fairly positive it's a non-factor for many jobs, however someone else might have better info.
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Keep in mind the pre-commissioning requirements are the ones to research, not the active duty. Often pre-comm requirements may differ, while an already commissioned officer, who is already an invested-in asset and has value, may have more leeway.
Normal color vision is a requirement for all rated positions (pilot, CSO, ABM) and also for some other operational career fields. I had to get a color vision test (CCT) for space ops, and I know a cadet who was DQ'd from space ops for color vision but was able to go in as cyber. I'm not sure what other career fields have this requirement. So although 'normal' color vision isn't required for all AF officers, a color deficiency can limit your career opportunities.
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Here is the link to the DoD reg used by DoDMERB to decide "qualified" or DQ : http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/613003p.pdf
Pg 14 says: "e. Color vision (368.5x) requirements shall be set by the individual Services."
Here is an interesting thread for you: http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/color-vision-air-force-must-read.37647/
Here are some links to the relevant Army reg: http://www.apd.army.mil/pdffiles/r40_501.pdf -- page 43
hornetguy might be a good person to consult about Air Force pilot qual vision questions
Scoutpilot might be a good person to consult about Army aviation vision questions
Pg 14 says: "e. Color vision (368.5x) requirements shall be set by the individual Services."
Here is an interesting thread for you: http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/color-vision-air-force-must-read.37647/
Here are some links to the relevant Army reg: http://www.apd.army.mil/pdffiles/r40_501.pdf -- page 43
hornetguy might be a good person to consult about Air Force pilot qual vision questions
Scoutpilot might be a good person to consult about Army aviation vision questions
Thank you Falcon A, you provided some great resources with regards to color vision and aviation.
However, I just would like to know if I can be an officer in the army or air force regardless of job and be colorblind. At the end of the day I just want to be able to be an officer in the military. Don't get me wrong it would be great if I could fly but I would be more than content with some other job.
In other words, will DODMERB dq me and prevent me from joining the air force or army entirely just because of color vision problems?
However, I just would like to know if I can be an officer in the army or air force regardless of job and be colorblind. At the end of the day I just want to be able to be an officer in the military. Don't get me wrong it would be great if I could fly but I would be more than content with some other job.
In other words, will DODMERB dq me and prevent me from joining the air force or army entirely just because of color vision problems?
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Can you pass the circle blot color blind test? Its the same standard one they do at any doctor office. That's all they tested for me on entry, after that you are in, just limited from select career fields, like rated and afrotc16 said space ops as well. Even if you fail the advanced tests they put you in another career field, people fail for that all the time and they are not DQd from the AF, just those jobs.
If you google it you would find this...
You are given these in order, so if you pass the first, you won't take the second, etc. Passing the first or second test will flag you as normal color vision, and will not restrict you from any MOS. The PIP is very difficult to pass if you have any degree of color deficiency. Even some without a deficiency fail. The FALANT is meant to catch those who fall through the PIP cracks. It is meant to pass individuals with mild color deficiency. If you pass the third, you are flagged as R/G. If you fail all, you are a non-color vision applicant.
Note: It seems that many applicants are being told failing the PIP means they're deficient even if the pass the FALANT. This shouldn't be the case, as the whole point of the FALANT is to be an alternative to the PIP. For the other branches, if you fail the PIP, the FALANT is used in this way since they don't have the vivid R/G test. Apparently the FALANT is pointless when it comes to the Army.
Based on this, you will either have every MOS to choose from (passing PIP/FALANT), a list of less than 50 (passing vivid r/g), or only a few (failing all).
Failing all three tests (no color vision) restricts you to the following: 15P, 27D, 36B, 42A, 42R, 42S, 56M, 68G, 68H, 68W, 68X, 88T, 92M, 92S. MOS 38B, 79R, and 79S are also available, but are not entry-level MOS.
Passing the vivid r/g, in addition to the above, opens up the following: 11X, 12D, 12N, 12V, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E, 13M, 13P, 18X, 31B, 31E, 31K, 68Y, 88H, 88M.
There are additional MOS that may be available for R/G applicants with an ETP (exception to policy): 12C, 35N, 35S, 89B, 92A, 92G.
Lastly, the following may be available to non-color vision applicants with an ETP: 12W, 31B, 31E, 88M, 92Y.
You are given these in order, so if you pass the first, you won't take the second, etc. Passing the first or second test will flag you as normal color vision, and will not restrict you from any MOS. The PIP is very difficult to pass if you have any degree of color deficiency. Even some without a deficiency fail. The FALANT is meant to catch those who fall through the PIP cracks. It is meant to pass individuals with mild color deficiency. If you pass the third, you are flagged as R/G. If you fail all, you are a non-color vision applicant.
Note: It seems that many applicants are being told failing the PIP means they're deficient even if the pass the FALANT. This shouldn't be the case, as the whole point of the FALANT is to be an alternative to the PIP. For the other branches, if you fail the PIP, the FALANT is used in this way since they don't have the vivid R/G test. Apparently the FALANT is pointless when it comes to the Army.
Based on this, you will either have every MOS to choose from (passing PIP/FALANT), a list of less than 50 (passing vivid r/g), or only a few (failing all).
Failing all three tests (no color vision) restricts you to the following: 15P, 27D, 36B, 42A, 42R, 42S, 56M, 68G, 68H, 68W, 68X, 88T, 92M, 92S. MOS 38B, 79R, and 79S are also available, but are not entry-level MOS.
Passing the vivid r/g, in addition to the above, opens up the following: 11X, 12D, 12N, 12V, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E, 13M, 13P, 18X, 31B, 31E, 31K, 68Y, 88H, 88M.
There are additional MOS that may be available for R/G applicants with an ETP (exception to policy): 12C, 35N, 35S, 89B, 92A, 92G.
Lastly, the following may be available to non-color vision applicants with an ETP: 12W, 31B, 31E, 88M, 92Y.
Thanks for the post zero but my question was regarding officers. I'm a little confused with some of the MOS's that you listed though. According to your list I could go artillery but not be an officer. Is this true? That doesn't seem to make much sense. Any clarification would be appreciated. Thanks.
Google the job you want and you can find the requirements, I'm not army but I'd assume enlisted and officer requirements at the same for vision. There are colorblind people in the military, you just have to figure out what jobs you qualify for.