My DS is colorblind

[believe2023]

My ds is color-blind. I have contacted the USAFA and was told that it was ok and he did not need a medical waiver. He does not want to be a pilot, he wants to study aerospace engineering. I was just curious if anyone has had experience with the color-blind issue. Thank you.

 

[Cerberi]

It used to be that a significant percentage of every class had to be pilot qualified (PQ) to start and thus if you were not PQ, there were less slots available. I wouldn't be surprised if that has changed over the years as the USAFA mission has changed. However, he may find himself limited to an even more narrow set of career fields overall with color blindness.

If you spoke to someone at USAFA admissions and they told you it was ok, you should be fine, but he should investigate USAF career fields and see if he would be happy in the ones that can be filled with someone that is colorblind. FYI - studying aerospace engineering at USAFA is not a guarantee of working as an aerospace engineer in the USAF.

 

[Capt MJ]

My ds is color-blind. I have contacted the USAFA and was told that it was ok and he did not need a medical waiver. He does not want to be a pilot, he wants to study aerospace engineering. I was just curious if anyone has had experience with the color-blind issue. Thank you.

This is an older thread, but related:
https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/color-vision-air-force-must-read.37647/

I second cerberi's recommendation for your son to research just what career paths will be open to him, if he will be happy with most of them - the needs of the Service usually trump personal desire, though that is taken into account. Major may or may not have much to do with it.

There are several color blindness threads throughout SAF, in SA and ROTC Forums. Use Search field to find.

 

[Maplerock]

My ds is color-blind. I have contacted the USAFA and was told that it was ok and he did not need a medical waiver. He does not want to be a pilot, he wants to study aerospace engineering. I was just curious if anyone has had experience with the color-blind issue. Thank you.

Hope it works out. A word of caution though. The academies like kids that take charge and are self sufficient. I wouldn't make it a habit to call them on his behalf. Some parents will argue that fact, but they usually have a helicopter parked in their yard.

And, I may be wrong, but I thought color blindness was a DQ, and color deficiency sometimes was waiverable.

 

[believe2023]

Thank you all so much. I have learned so much from this forum. Is there someone my son can contact directly to find out his options..he will not pass the PIP test. It is his dream to serve his country and he knows there are many ways to do that, Although the USAFA or the USNA may not be in his path and as upsetting it may be for him, he wants to know his full options as he explores other possible paths. Also, do the same rules apply to AFROTC and NROTC?

 

[tex2021]

My ds is color-blind. I have contacted the USAFA and was told that it was ok and he did not need a medical waiver. He does not want to be a pilot, he wants to study aerospace engineering. I was just curious if anyone has had experience with the color-blind issue. Thank you.

My DS is a USAFA c/o 2021. He passed USAFA medical even with the Red/Green Color deficiency (color blindness). DS does not intend to pursue a pilot slot because of this condition. Good luck to your DS with the appointment process.

 

[believe2023]

Thank you tex2021...my son does not want to be a pilot either.
Wishing your DS all the best.

 

[NJ Falcon]

Cadets with color vision deficiency will qualify for unrated positions when they commission. As long as your son knows that going in he will be fine.

 

[believe2023]

Thank you very much.