Cross Eye Dominance

36cmadawg

5-Year Member
Joined
Dec 8, 2012
Messages
35
Would there be a problem in the military if a soldier was cross eye dominant? I've been hunting all my life and being the youngest of the family, I've always inherited right handed guns and shot right handed, even though I'm left eye dominant. Just wondering if that would be problem at a DODMERB exam or something.
 
A few "long time shooters" might say something like "wow...that's different."

And that's ALL anyone will say.

No problem at all!

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
I had the displeasure of being a cross eye dominant shooter. That said, I haven't shot a gun in....6 years.
 
I had the displeasure of being a cross eye dominant shooter. That said, I haven't shot a gun in....6 years.

It's a pain because I'd like to shoot clays with my dominant eye on the stock, but it feels awkward having my left hand on the trigger. Plus my safety is designed for righties. And I like having my bolt action on the right when I deer hunt. Hopefully when I'm in the military I can put those ambidextrous M4s to my advantage and master left handed shooting!
 
practice, practice, practice

DD is left-handed, but right eye dominant. Had to learn to shoot (rifle, pistol and bow) right-handed. But did that long before involvement in military. The first time I saw her draw back a little kid bow left-handed and try to site it with her right eye, I knew something was odd. :shake:
 
Would there be a problem in the military if a soldier was cross eye dominant? I've been hunting all my life and being the youngest of the family, I've always inherited right handed guns and shot right handed, even though I'm left eye dominant. Just wondering if that would be problem at a DODMERB exam or something.
I am the same way. It was a struggle the first time I was trying to do weapons quals. The Instructor picked up something was odd and "diagnosed" me. He gave me a couple pointers to compensate and I ended up shooting expert. If you already know you are cross eye dominant and can already compensate when shooting, then you will have no issues in the military.
 
Both of my sons are cross eye dominant and very active shooters. Wife, daughter, and in laws as well. Its genetic.

Lots of folklore and tricks about how to handle, but the best advice we received was that its easier to train your eye than it is to work with the weaker/less coordinated muscle group.

We found this to be very true.

Though my kids can even wing shoot shoot ambidextrous, they are now both significantly better right handed.

Hint: issue M4's and M16's are not ambi, and are tedious for lefties due to the ejection port location.

Use of RDS/optics reduce the impact a bit compared to shooting leftie with irons. So its not as bad now.

But you'd be well served to try an AR both ways ahead of time just so you won't be surprised.

If you want to try to retrain your mis-dominant eye, putting a piece of scotch tape on your shooting glasses is the most effective way. Keeps your peripheral vision active, but your brain will switch to the eye with the best focus.

You'll be fine either way, but I'd find a Buddie with a civvy AR and go practice if you are concerned.

Realistically it won't be an issue early on at USMA, as an experienced shooter you will be way ahead of 80% of your squadies. Especially if they continue to use the RDS like past years.

You would need to dial it in if you try to do anything competitive involving shooting like Sandhurst.
 
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