Lasik/PRK rules for AFROTC

Hello,

I am a college freshman doing AFROTC that dreams of flying the F-35s that are going to be introduced around 2016.

My vision is -2.00/-2.25 and has been that way since the 8th grade.

If I don't have to get Lasik/PRK, I don't want to. Is that vision waiverable for getting a rated slot?

If not, is Lasik/PRK an option? For example, would I be allowed to get it the summer after my freshman year and then be allowed to participate in Field Training?

Any information on Lasik/PRK would be great.
Thanks.

Time out for a second.

You never want to mess with your eyes unless you have to do it.
They will not do this operation until you are @20-21 yo.

Your exam will tell you if you are a candidate.

If you do it, beware that if you do not time it right, they may not give you a UPT slot. UPT candidates go through a 3 day DoDMERB at WPAFB. as rising srs.

You are a freshman in college, this issue is @2 yrs away. Work on getting SFT. selection. No SFT = No POC, NO POC= No Commissioning.

1 step at a time.

So lost, anyone care to clarify the acronyms?

^ I don't blame you. They don't even appear to be in the 1,669 Air Force Acronyms that I googled: http://www.all-acronyms.com/tag/air_force

However, based on reading past posts, I will attempt to translate:

SFT = Summer Field Training. Some years only 60% of Cadets are selected, some years 90%+. After Sophomore year in school. If you are not selected, you are out of AFROTC.

UPT: Based on Performance at SFT and other Tests given to identify piloting attributes, you are selected for a Flight Training. Not all AFROTC cadets are selected for the various Flight billets.

POC - not sure, but I suspect something having to do with advancing to Jr. year of AFROTC (also called Advanced Course, or Advanced Standing).

DODMERB: Dept. of Def. Medical Evaluation Review Board: This is the review Board that grants waivers to disqualifying medical conditions that arise in the Physical Exam and/or the multipage Medical History form the cadet fills out. DODMERB asks for medical records from physicians who have treated the cadet/applicant, request any further tests they may need, and reaches a decision about whether to Waive the prior disqualification, or to let it stand. In times of force buildup, waivers are common. In times of Force drawdown, they are difficult to get.

I got most of it. Assuming that I do get selected for SFT and all that after sophomore year, what is DoDMERB?

Pima said:

If you do it, beware that if you do not time it right, they may not give you a UPT slot. UPT candidates go through a 3 day DoDMERB at WPAFB. as rising srs.

Click to expand...

What a coincidence. I'm a 300 in AFROTC and I'm getting PRK next week. Also my vison is the exact prescription as yours.

Like Pima said dont touch the eyes unless you have to. However, you will be DQed with that vision for a pilot slot (your eyes are prob around 20/200 and you need at least 20/70 uncorrected).

Basically you need to be contracted (H.S.scholarship/In-College Scholarship or post FT) prior to getting the surgery. If you get it prior to contracting you will be DQed from all rated slots and you could potentially get dropped from the program. Most kids at my det get it right after FT. If you get it between fresh and soph year, your FT slot could be in jeopardy because you cannot go to FT while recovering from PRK/LASIK ( 1 year).

But I agree with Pima, dont worry about this just yet. Keep tabs on it as a underclassmen and ask around at your det and see if anyone has gotten it done. FT is what you need to focus on right now. Feel free to PM me if you have any more questions. Best of luck!

P.S. - POC = Professional Officer Corps (juniors and seniors)

Oh, forgot one Acronym from PIMA's post that likewise isn't listed in the 1,669 Air Force Acronyms I linked to above: WPAFB.

I'm thinking it is this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wright-Patterson_Air_Force_Base

P.S. Don't know about Air Force, but at the Naval Academy, they're very particular about how and when eyes are surgically corrected. G-forces come with driving fast planes that put internal pressure on the cornea. If an eye surgery isn't done according to Navy regs, the mid is disqualified for Aviator, since they don't want rupturing corneas in flight. As mentioned above, this tends to be done after a mid's sophomore year, but before the Sr. year, at the Academy. The Navy pays for it.

Exactly the information I needed, thank you

WPAFB is indeed Wright Pat. The significance is that once selected for UPT by the board, your rising senior (college) summer they will fly you out to WPAFB for a 3 day physical.

This is about not only timing, but find a doc that understands the DoDMERB regs. Like Dunninla stated it can also be the fastest way to be DQ'd.

AFROTC will not pay for it, this is on your own dime.