DoDMERB Colorblindness Test

DogofWar0302

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I have received a Marine-option NROTC Scholarship that I will be using when I begin school this Fall. I managed to pass the DoDMERB vision test even though I am slightly red/green colorblind (I have 20/20 vision otherwise). I hope to joing Force Recon later in my career and I read that color blindness is permitted as long as the candidate can pass a vivid red and vivid green test. Considering I managed to pass the DoDMERB test, would I be able to make it into Recon? Thanks in advance for any and all responses.
 
Not sure if anyone here would have that type of answer; this forum more specifically deals with issues regarding the ROTC world - not so much afterwards.

Maybe trying posting here: Life After the Academy
 
I would actually post it in the DoDMERB section because in the end it will be a DoDMERB decision, the Marines will decide to waive if it a DQ. Waivers are case by case.
 
The OP said that he is DoDMERB qualified - so that's why I wasn't sure if it'd be necessary to post there.
 
The way it works, at least for AF, some career fields require additional exams. I.E. for AF pilot rated you need to pass the FC1 flight physical. You can be AD qualified, but not pilot qualified.

In his case he passed, but it appears he would have to take a higher level vision test, which means he may not be qualified, and it would than be a medical waiver issue, which the Marines would have to waive.

The question I see is he needs to know the level that he must pass on the vivid test, hence a DoDMERB requirement question.
 
Oh - had never thought of those additional exams; didn't realize that those also fell under DoDMERB.
 
I have received a Marine-option NROTC Scholarship that I will be using when I begin school this Fall. I managed to pass the DoDMERB vision test even though I am slightly red/green colorblind (I have 20/20 vision otherwise). I hope to joing Force Recon later in my career and I read that color blindness is permitted as long as the candidate can pass a vivid red and vivid green test. Considering I managed to pass the DoDMERB test, would I be able to make it into Recon? Thanks in advance for any and all responses.

I agree with others that the answer is not clear and you're unlikely to find the answer here, at least on the ROTC threads. I would say though that there are other substantial hurdles to getting to Force Recon that YOU can control and these are what you should focus on. I think the most important thing you can work on right now is your PFT scores and overall fitness. Start building the base to achieve those 300s or something close to it, right out of the gate. You'll need to perform extremely well at OCS and TBS in hopes of getting combat arms and especially Infantry. If you do well in Infantry school and with your first assignments, then maybe, maybe, you'll have a shot at recon.

EDIT: BTW, with hard work I have little doubt you can achieve your goal of recon. Even if you do not do so, the effort you make in achieving that will make you an excellent officer and a leader among your peers. Good Luck! :thumb:
 
Dog, I'm not an expert, but based on our experience, I'm thinking you are likely to be fine. The color vision test DODMERB (and any good eye Dr.) gives is the Ishihara Plate Test, aka PIP. It is very much the definitive test for color vision. I expect in the future you will simply be given the PIP again. I am not aware of other, better tests. It may be the stds for some programs may be more rigorous, and thus a pass on your PIP for your current program may not be a pass for some other program. There is more info online if you wish to look further.
Years ago the sea-going services gave the Farnsworth Lantern Test (FALANT) Which was, at the time, considered the 'gold std' test. Some (Navy and CG) continue to hold it out there as an alternative test for those who do not pass the PIP but are still wanted by the academy. MMA does not accept anything but PIP beginning this past year. AF and Army appear to be less concerned with color vision except for certain careers. Thus the 'vivid' test. If you can discern the colors on a traffic signal, you can pass the 'vivid' test.
The FALANT is more forgiving in the red-green area in that one does not have to deal with all the pastels on the PIP, and the FALANT does not even test for blue-yellow deficiencies.
 
I agree with others that the answer is not clear and you're unlikely to find the answer here, at least on the ROTC threads. I would say though that there are other substantial hurdles to getting to Force Recon that YOU can control and these are what you should focus on. I think the most important thing you can work on right now is your PFT scores and overall fitness. Start building the base to achieve those 300s or something close to it, right out of the gate. You'll need to perform extremely well at OCS and TBS in hopes of getting combat arms and especially Infantry. If you do well in Infantry school and with your first assignments, then maybe, maybe, you'll have a shot at recon.

EDIT: BTW, with hard work I have little doubt you can achieve your goal of recon. Even if you do not do so, the effort you make in achieving that will make you an excellent officer and a leader among your peers. Good Luck! :thumb:


Kinnem,
While applying for my scholarship I scored a 288 on my PFT and after 4 years of NROTC training I figure it can only go up from there. However I think my mental toughness is my main asset so hopefully that will help me to excel at OCS and TBS. Thank you for your advice.
 
Dog, I'm not an expert, but based on our experience, I'm thinking you are likely to be fine. The color vision test DODMERB (and any good eye Dr.) gives is the Ishihara Plate Test, aka PIP. It is very much the definitive test for color vision. I expect in the future you will simply be given the PIP again. I am not aware of other, better tests. It may be the stds for some programs may be more rigorous, and thus a pass on your PIP for your current program may not be a pass for some other program. There is more info online if you wish to look further.
Years ago the sea-going services gave the Farnsworth Lantern Test (FALANT) Which was, at the time, considered the 'gold std' test. Some (Navy and CG) continue to hold it out there as an alternative test for those who do not pass the PIP but are still wanted by the academy. MMA does not accept anything but PIP beginning this past year. AF and Army appear to be less concerned with color vision except for certain careers. Thus the 'vivid' test. If you can discern the colors on a traffic signal, you can pass the 'vivid' test.
The FALANT is more forgiving in the red-green area in that one does not have to deal with all the pastels on the PIP, and the FALANT does not even test for blue-yellow deficiencies.

JMS,
I performed pretty terribly on the PIP test, I think I only got a few correct, but the eye doctor gave me the FALANT test afterwards and I passed it with no errors. I'm assuming when Recon says "vivid red and vivid green" test they would take somebody like me that can pass a FALANT no problem
 
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