I-Day Color Vision Test

[c.steveken9]

I just recently received an appointment to the Naval Academy, but before I got the good news I had to go through the process of becoming medically qualified. For DoDMERB I took the color vision PIP test and failed. I then took the FALANT color vision test and barely passed.

My question is: What happens if I fail the color vision test at the Academy on I-Day? Will they send me home? Or, will they just commission me in restricted line?

Any insight or suggestions would be much appreciated!

 

[USAFA_Falcon_15]

Don't quote me, but when I was taking my tests the doc told me naval really cares about your eyes. That being said it'd be a huge concern to me. I'd call the academy and ask. They're gonna fond out either way, may as well find out now. My advice however, might not be the neat ask someone like Pima who seems to know it all on here.

Best of luck

 

[c.steveken9]

I'm just curious if anyone that's using these forums knows whether or not they would send me home or just limit my service options after the academy if I were to fail the color vision test on I-Day?

 

[Mongo]

Probably don't know as much as those who "know it all". However, I will try. I have never seen an official cast in stone' policy for this. Generalization is that color blindness is a nonwaiverable DQ. However, there are a few waivers made personally by the Supt. The FALANT test is the official final authority. You have passed it. Therefore, you will report to I-Day where you indeed will be given another FALANT test. Pass it-no problems. Flunk it and you may be sent home. The old DoDMERB moderator, RetNavHM, did induction physicals for several years. If I remember correctly, he stated that he had never seen a candidate sent home. They are however required to sign an agreement that they are aware that they are ineligible for unrestricted line. However, they can also select USMC ground. I have heard that each class is limited to 2% color blind. Therefore, perhaps, if the I-Day test drives the total over 24 or so, some may possibly be sent home. Not sure. Really nothing you can do about it. Especially if you want to be a Marine grunt. Good luck.

 

[c.steveken9]

Thank you Mongo, I appreciate it. So do you think I have a better chance of being sent to do Marine Infantry or restricted line, rather than be sent home? I've been stressing over this idea a lot lately.

 

[Mongo]

Thank you Mongo, I appreciate it. So do you think I have a better chance of being sent to do Marine Infantry or restricted line, rather than be sent home? I've been stressing over this idea a lot lately.

Yes. 2% of the class is allowed to be color blind. Part of these are those discovered on I-Day. I just looked it up. Statistically, they know how many of these will be those discovered on I-Day. I was going to suggest half jokingly and then maybe seriously that you ignore your check-in time and check in with the first group.

One thing, only those go Marine who select it. If you want it, great. If not, you will be restricted line. Great chances of an outstanding career there since you, as a grad, will be a rarity.

There are several questions here of which I do not know the answer and maybe you should find out. How color blind are you and how will it progress as you age? It would be unfortunate if you barely passed for, say, aviation, and then, after gertting your wings, flunked either for marginal performance or aging. And are the standards the same for surface, subs, and aviation? Perhaps kp can weigh in here.

 

[kp2001]

There are several questions here of which I do not know the answer and maybe you should find out. How color blind are you and how will it progress as you age? It would be unfortunate if you barely passed for, say, aviation, and then, after gertting your wings, flunked either for marginal performance or aging. And are the standards the same for surface, subs, and aviation? Perhaps kp can weigh in here.

Luckily color blindness isn't one of those things that progresses (always a few outliers). The standards for color vision are the same throughout the Navy, at a minimum you need to be able to get 9 out of 9 on the FALANT (there is a little more involved, but that's the easiest way to state it) and that gets you aviation or any other line billet. For the SWO/SUB community it's important to be able to see the port/starboard running lights, hence, the color vision requirement.