USMA red/green colorblind

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wonder2024

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Feb 8, 2024
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My son might be interested in USMA - both myself and his dad went to USCGA, but recognize that red/green colorblindness is disqualifying there.
From what I've read, it appears as though if the Ishihara treat is failed, a "vivid red/green" test is given (only army does this). If that is passed, everything is fine.
My problem is, I would rather him take that test and know if he is going to pass before going through the effort of starting an application, etc.
We were thinking of having him apply for the summer leadership program for this summer.
Anyone have any insight on the vivid test or how the colorblind situation works for USMA?
THANKS!
 
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wonder2024 said:
My son might be interested in USMA - both myself and his dad went to USCGA, but recognize that red/green colorblindness is disqualifying there.
From what I've read, it appears as though if the Ishihara treat is failed, a "vivid red/green" test is given (only army does this). If that is passed, everything is fine.
My problem is, I would rather him take that test and know if he is going to pass before going through the effort of starting an application, etc.
We were thinking of having him apply for the summer leadership program for this summer.
Anyone have any insight on the vivid test or how the colorblind situation works for USMA?
THANKS!
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DODMERB does eye tests and will show different numbers behind colors and what not. If your child can pass that, then he will be fine.
 
Rixce said:
DODMERB does eye tests and will show different numbers behind colors and what not. If your child can pass that, then he will be fine.
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Yeah, I know he can't pass that test - I'm asking about the "vivid red/green" test that is specific to Army when you fail the first one.
I can find a description of the test, but I'd love to see a picture of what vivid red/green actually look like to see if he can distinguish them before wasting our time.
 
My son failed the regular red/green test - this was not a surprise as he has failed every color blindness test since kindergarten. He said the vivid red/green test he was given was literally the doctor held up something clearly red and asked him what color it was and something clearly green and asked what it was. He was marked as medically qualified.
 
I'm realllllly old. But in my ROTC days the vivid red/green was a red shaving gel cap and a green rectangular box.
 
I'm color blind (red - green), an AFA graduate, former Flight Test Engineer, and now retired. Point is there are places in the military for you son. I applied to USAFA desiring to be a pilot, but my testing during DoDMERB ended that goal. However, I participated in the gambit of programs at USAFA, including gliding. As I tell my students, a candidate should go through the process, if s/he desires, along with having back-up plans if things do not work out. Each DoD component determines their "color vision requirements" according to DODI 6130.03. Army and AF seem to the most lenient . . . lots of info on the Forum around this topic.
 
I am also red-green color deficient and cannot pass the number-color test. For SA, you will need a waiver for USNA (I am currently waiting on one), USAFA, and USMA do not need waivers (I am medically qualified for both). It can limit your career options once in the Air Force and Army at large; do your research and figure out what you can do once you are in the fleet/field.
 
My son "bombed" the Ishihara test and passed the red/green one for USMA with no issues. I wasn't in the room but as he described it, the Dr. held up a bright green piece of paper amd said what color is this? The repeated it with a red one. It your son can distinguish bright red and green then there will be no issue.

He ended up with a USMA appointment but ended up at USAFA knowing he won't be pilot qualified.
 
You should be fine for ARMY. The Army doesn’t require a waiver, my dad was Army Special Forces and also color blind. My DS is only interested in NAVY or Marines so he is also waiting on a waiver. USNA takes a very minimal amount of color deficient kids each year (approx 10-15) . My DS is a college reapplicant and NROTC MO that decided to give USNA another try. You need a waiver for NROTC as well, but not for being a Marine Option if you chose that path. You are considered Restricted if you commission Navy and the only options are: Supply Corps, Intel, Cyber, Marine Corps Ground, Medical. I might have missed some? My son would love to go SWO, if given an appointment, but since he cannot he is willing to do whatever the Navy gives him. He has really enjoyed his NROTC MO experience so far…very tough physical demands but he is enjoying the challenge and the people he has met.
 
Swiss_Miss said:
I'm realllllly old. But in my ROTC days the vivid red/green was a red shaving gel cap and a green rectangular box.
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I was laughing today - son had his eye exam and the vivid red/green test was the red cap of an eye drop bottle and a green box that held some solution.
The eye doctor said there is actually a "red cap test."

I don't care what the test was, my son passed!
 
wonder2024 said:
My son might be interested in USMA - both myself and his dad went to USCGA, but recognize that red/green colorblindness is disqualifying there.
From what I've read, it appears as though if the Ishihara treat is failed, a "vivid red/green" test is given (only army does this). If that is passed, everything is fine.
My problem is, I would rather him take that test and know if he is going to pass before going through the effort of starting an application, etc.
We were thinking of having him apply for the summer leadership program for this summer.
Anyone have any insight on the vivid test or how the colorblind situation works for USMA?
THANKS!
Click to expand...
The vivid red/vivid green test is done at the same time as his appointment with the eye doctor if he fails the PIP test.

As you can see from the posts, there are many ways it can be done. Frankly, not sure if they’re legit but who knows. A common way it’s done is the eye doctor will project a green or red block on the wall (like the letters of a Snellen chart are projected) and you’re supposed to tell what color it is.
 
Helicopter.6214 said:
Won’t they give you the falant test for USNA?
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Each of the SAs has very specific color blindness waiver criteria. The difference is because of mission and operating environment. Sea services are particularly restrictive.

USNA: Musr pass Ishihara. Only a tiny handful of color blindness waivers are given each year, and those midshipmen are limited in the officer specialty paths available to them (no pilot, subs, surface ships and some others) and currently have to agree they will go Marine ground if no Navy options are available.

USMMA: From everything I have seen reported here, hard DQ. Something to ask Admssions.

USCGA: Ditto above. Something to ask Admssions.

Navy stopped using Falant some years ago.
 
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Thank you, unlucky for me I guess. Luckily I am seeking USMA AND USAFA. Hopefully losing another option won’t hurt me big time to attend a service academy.
 
Helicopter.6214 said:
Thank you, unlucky for me I guess. Luckily I am seeking USMA AND USAFA. Hopefully losing another option won’t hurt me big time to attend a service academy.
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USAFA doesn’t have any color vision requirements so you’d be good there as well. However, you would not be pilot qualified so not eligible for a pilot slot upon graduation.
 
99Gold said:
USAFA doesn’t have any color vision requirements so you’d be good there as well. However, you would not be pilot qualified so not eligible for a pilot slot upon graduation.
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All good for me, just wanna be able to serve our country.
 
Helicopter.6214 said:
All good for me, just wanna be able to serve our country.
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Be sure to consider AROTC and AFROTC when researching and developing your alternate plans, should you not be offered an appointment.

Every year, there are more fully qualifed candidates with nominations for USMA and USAFA than there are seats available in the class. At an ROTC unit, you can compete for an ROTC nomination, should you decide to reapply after a turndown. This is in addition to all the usual nominations you are expected to apply to.

You can also fall in love with your school and unit and realize you are thriving exactly where you are meant to be, and still commissioning as an officer after 4 years. Service academies, ROTC and OCS/OTS all produce outstanding, excellent, good, fair, average, poor and abysmal officers.
 
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