Vision Acuity

[thepetester]

Hello,

My son recently was dq'd from USAFA and West Point because his left eye only corrects to ~ 20/50. His right eye is 20/20 or maybe even 20/15 uncorrected (perfect vision).

I have read online that for ROTC, the requirement is corrected to 20/20 in one eye and 20/100 in the other. Is that correct? This was from 2010 and I cannot find any current information.

Thanks, Pete

 

[clarksonarmy]

From Army Regulation 40-501

2–13. Vision
a. Current distant visual acuity of any degree that does not correct with spectacle lenses to at least one of the
following (367) does not meet the standard:
(1) 20/40 in one eye and 20/70 in the other eye.
(2) 20/30 in one eye and 20/100 in the other eye.
(3) 20/20 in one eye and 20/400 in the other eye.
However, for entrance into USMA or ROTC, distant visual acuity that does not correct to 20/20 in one eye and
20/40 in the other eye does not meet the standard. For entrance into OCS, distant visual acuity that does not correct to
20/20 in one eye and 20/100 in the other eye does not meet the standard.

http://goldenknightbattalion.wordpress.com/2011/03/23/dodmerb-part-2-its-only-a-flesh-wound/

 

[Pima]

Just remember that if they believe the candidate is competitive the commissioning source will request a waiver.

AROTC may waive and AFROTC may not. Just like WP may waive and AROTC may not. DoDMERB DQs, but the source is the one to decide to waive.

 

[clarksonarmy]

Medical standards have nothing to do with competitiveness. You either meet the standard or you don't. The commissioning sources standard is just a lower standard than the DODMERB standard. The standard I posted from AR 40-501 is what Cadet Command will use to determine whether they will waive the DQ for the DODMERB standard. They are not going to take into account GPA or PT test score or extracurriculars. They are only going to want to know what your visual acuity is.

That being said, don't give up. Standards are raised and lowered often, and although the reg says one thing there may be more current guidance that lets the Command Surgeon waive some conditions. Until you receive a final determination from the Command Surgeon you still have a chance, but use the reg to manage your expectations.

 

[Pima]

Let me clarify my statement. If a scholarship is offered and the candidate needs a waiver it will be the commissioning source that requests it. A candidate can not request a waiver.

At least that is how it will work for USAFA and AFROTC.

My assumption is that since the OP has applied to SAs they already had their exam, unlike candidates that apply ROTC only, which in that typical case they will not get an exam until offered a scholarship. Hence my comment about being competitive.

 

[thepetester]

Thanks for the information.

I heard from the DOD-MRB Deputy Director. He was EXTREMELY helpful.
A mistake was made with the AFA and AFROTC, he actually qualifies medically.
For West Point, he is medically DQ'd.

For the AFROTC, he qualifies, just needs to be awarded the scholarship.
For the AROTC scholarship he would need a waiver.

 

[Pima]

FWIW, two things to remember regarding AFROTC and future career options.

1. The scholarship is a 2+2. It is not a straight 4 year like AROTC. He will need to be selected in the spring of his sophomore year for SFT. If not selected, chances are they will disenroll him from AFROTC
~ Selection boards do not take into account if the cadet is on scholarship. It is what is known as. Masked. IOWs nobody sees that information.
~ Avg selection rate is 55-60%. There were a couple of years in the 90s, but don't presume that was common, it was actually very uncommon and it came back to bite them. Those year groups are now vulnerable to being not commissioning AD.

2. If they want to go rated, in the summer of their junior year they will be sent to Wright Pat. for a 3 day trip. 2 of those days will be all day exams. It is a two tier exam. One will account for their DoDMERB the other will be the Flight Class 1 physical (FAA) . Those exams include everything from hearing to vision to EKGs, plus everything in between, in essence every aspect of his body will be poked and prodded.. The final exam of the two days will be with an AF Flight surgeon.
~ Just putting it out there that if he wants to fly don't assume that the DoDMERB Qualified is the bar set for flying.

I don't know what the FC1 standard is for eyes, so you may want to investigate this aspect while you await the results because if he gets both scholarships and wants to fly, but finds out that his vision would need a waiver for flying he may change his mind on which scholarship to accept.
~ IE wants to fly anything in either, but if can't fly would rather be in a tank in the Army than at a desk in the AF.

College is 4 years, and AFROTC historically does not allow a Guard/Reserve option like AROTC does That means he will have at least 4 years ADAF. Plus, for AFROTC grads most will not report for duty for 6-9 months, which really !sans he will be closer to five years when he can officially leave.

Good luck.