Posted on 10/10/2006 6:48:36 PM PDT by Zebra
My son is a candidate for the United States Naval Academy. He is a good athlete (varsity wrestling), top of his class at an excellent school and had perfect SAT scores. He has had his heart set on Annapolis for years. The problem is he has mild amblyopia. One eye is correctable only to 20-50. His overall vision is 20-20 because his dominant eye takes over. I understand that DODMERB lists this as a disqualifying condition for admission; however, I understand that vision waivers are available in certain circumstances, although I have been unable to get a clear answer as to whether this is only in cases where vision is correctable to 20-40 or better in EACH eye. I would very much appreciate hearing from anyone who has had experience with this process in similar circumstances. Thanks for any information. Go Navy!
God Bless your Son
One third of the USNA Brigade has laser eye surgery while there.
My husband is a USNA graduate. He suggests you call the Academy. Give me a moment and you will have mail.
To the best of my knowledge he may be able to get admitted but he would be somewhat limited in what he could serve as. I have heard that he could serve in something like Naval Security Group. (Intelligence and things like that)
We went through this with my son and his application to West Point last year.
Bottom line, based on his experience, is that if they want him they will submit him for a waiver. Good luck as the application process can be a long drawn out affair (we were still submitting paperwork in May when Reception Day was just weeks away, and he had let all his other college opportunities go by the wayside). Worked out in the end though.
If he is submitted for a waiver, I'd suggest keeping on top of the DODMERB with frequent phone calls to see where his paperwork is etc.
Again, good luck!
Thanks much!
He does understand that his vision condition eliminates a number of options. Intelligence is an area of interest for him. Thanks for the response.
I have heard that it is a good idea to stay on DODMERB during this process. He is applying to a number of excellent schools, but second best is a distant second to the USNA. Thanks for the advice.
He may be able to have a very successfull career with his eyesight as it is but in a twisting turning dogfight when it get's down to pilot versus pilot, your sons 20-50 eyesight may place him at a distinct disadvantage versus an opponent with 20-20+ eyesight.
Call the Academy itself.
They should have the information for you.
Go to http://serviceacademyforums.com/
and post your questions there. There is a retired corpsman from DoDMERB who is knowledgweable and helpful.
You may also want to check and see if it was a mis-diagnosis of convergence insufficiency, which has the same symptoms.
CI is an eye muscle condition (as oppossed to a neural condition) that has the same symptoms, but is less common.
CI is easily treated with orthoptics or vision therapy, even as an adult.
He can always join the Marines and be on the top of the heap.
Haha.
A lot will depend on if the Academy wants him or if they
think HE want's it enough.
I had bad eyesight too and failed the eye test for the Corps
twice, but they knew I wanted in and though I failed the third time, a sympathetic Gunny got the navy corpsman called away then went and changed my score to passing,
I didn't know if I should have praised or cursed that Gunner
while I was at Parris Island, but now I treasure that memory.
The Corps takes care of it's own.
Best of luck to your son, may he make the grade.
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