Color vision test at the academy's clinic.

[Justin HELPmomStocksPosts]

I am looking into applying to the Coast Guard academy next year however I have run into the color vision issue. Unfortunately I am red-green colorblind however based on several online tests I am only moderately color blind on a scale of mild-moderate-strong-severe. I contacted the head of DoDMERB at the academy and was told that it would be possible to get it waivered for the DoDMERB however I would have to pass the Innova Computerized test at the academy after being accepted. It seems to me that if I was accepted, I would attend swab summer and then possibly be DQed after already rejecting other schools because of my vision if I failed the test at the academy. That just seems like a nightmare to me.

I can clearly see the difference between red and green however I do not have an understanding of what the test at the academy really is. Does anyone have any info. I have been back and forth with a few difference academy staff and haven't been provided sufficient information on the test and the requirements to pass. I would assume that a slight color deficiency is not an issue if they give waivers out for the DoDMERB in the first place but I'm not sure. If someone has an online link to the test and knows the required score to pass that would be amazing just so I can take it before I go (if I'm accepted) to make sure that I wouldn't be DQed. If not is their another test preferably free that I could take online that resembles the academy's test?

Thanks

Thanks for the help.

 

[hatcap34]

USCGA requires applicants to pass a PIP test or a Computerized Color Vision Test. They set an extremely high standard, being a sea service, and any partial color vision deficiency is almost always disqualifying. To my knowledge, there is not a innova online test; it is done by a machine. PIP tests are available online, but I’d recommend seeing an eye doctor. An eye doctor will certainly be able to provide PIP plates and perhaps a CCVT. They will be able to give an impartial and honest evaluation of your color vision.

Best of luck.

 

[Abacab]

I am looking into applying to the Coast Guard academy next year however I have run into the color vision issue. Unfortunately I am red-green colorblind however based on several online tests I am only moderately color blind on a scale of mild-moderate-strong-severe. I contacted the head of DoDMERB at the academy and was told that it would be possible to get it waivered for the DoDMERB however I would have to pass the Innova Computerized test at the academy after being accepted. It seems to me that if I was accepted, I would attend swab summer and then possibly be DQed after already rejecting other schools because of my vision if I failed the test at the academy. That just seems like a nightmare to me.

I can clearly see the difference between red and green however I do not have an understanding of what the test at the academy really is. Does anyone have any info. I have been back and forth with a few difference academy staff and haven't been provided sufficient information on the test and the requirements to pass. I would assume that a slight color deficiency is not an issue if they give waivers out for the DoDMERB in the first place but I'm not sure. If someone has an online link to the test and knows the required score to pass that would be amazing just so I can take it before I go (if I'm accepted) to make sure that I wouldn't be DQed. If not is their another test preferably free that I could take online that resembles the academy's test?

Thanks

Thanks for the help.

You are smart to find out whether or not you are red green colorblind BEFORE you accept an appointment. We were told that the tests at the academy will be performed in the first week of swab summer so you are correct that you may be DQ'd at swab summer after turning down your plan B-C schools. Some people put down deposits at their plan B-C schools just in case of an extraneous event out of their control that might happen over the summer. Regarding your specific condition, there can only be one solution and that was recommended by @hatcap34 . See an eye doctor and take the same test that they will give at the academy. Our AO said they WILL discover medical conditions and specifically mentioned color blindness. I think that it's a DQ for sure at USCGA but you could go for the Marine option at ROTC or USNA. The Navy itself has only a very few waivers for color blindness. I believe USMA also allows color blindness so you still would have military academy or ROTC options even if you don't at the Coast Guard Academy. Good Luck with everything!

 

[Aeo1818]

I am looking into applying to the Coast Guard academy next year however I have run into the color vision issue. Unfortunately I am red-green colorblind however based on several online tests I am only moderately color blind on a scale of mild-moderate-strong-severe. I contacted the head of DoDMERB at the academy and was told that it would be possible to get it waivered for the DoDMERB however I would have to pass the Innova Computerized test at the academy after being accepted. It seems to me that if I was accepted, I would attend swab summer and then possibly be DQed after already rejecting other schools because of my vision if I failed the test at the academy. That just seems like a nightmare to me.

I can clearly see the difference between red and green however I do not have an understanding of what the test at the academy really is. Does anyone have any info. I have been back and forth with a few difference academy staff and haven't been provided sufficient information on the test and the requirements to pass. I would assume that a slight color deficiency is not an issue if they give waivers out for the DoDMERB in the first place but I'm not sure. If someone has an online link to the test and knows the required score to pass that would be amazing just so I can take it before I go (if I'm accepted) to make sure that I wouldn't be DQed. If not is their another test preferably free that I could take online that resembles the academy's test?

Thanks

Thanks for the help.

Hi this happened to me! I failed the PIP test initially, then took it again at my home eye doctor and passed. I just emailed the medical officer in charge of clearing us with my new score and I was all set. Everyone takes the PIP test again over Swab Summer, so as long as you pass that I think you'll be good. What I did was I accepted and put a deposit at a civilian school, then wrote to my mom over Swab Summer that I passed and she canceled my enrollment. I never took the Computerized test.

 

[Justin HELPmomStocksPosts]

Hi this happened to me! I failed the PIP test initially, then took it again at my home eye doctor and passed. I just emailed the medical officer in charge of clearing us with my new score and I was all set. Everyone takes the PIP test again over Swab Summer, so as long as you pass that I think you'll be good. What I did was I accepted and put a deposit at a civilian school, then wrote to my mom over Swab Summer that I passed and she canceled my enrollment. I never took the Computerized test.

So when you said that you never took the computerized test do you mean you were only tested by PIP or weren't tested for color vision at all during Swab Summer. Also if you don't mind me asking, are you colorblind (and if so how severe) or did you just get unlucky when taking the the first test that you failed. I'm just curious because I'm not sure the extent that you need to be able to see. If they require 100% normal color vison, I'm afraid I will defiantly be DQed however if their is wiggle room, I have a shot.