The guidance in the system now will soon be updated to reflect the DP requirement...not sure of the timeline, but it will be pretty quick.

So your can get the job contract, but will they come back after you and make you take DP? Or just a few "lucky" guys got in at the right time...?

Thanks for the update TE.

No guarantees, but they likely won't come after you for DP. The requirement is for the JTAC qualification so it may prevent you from getting that qualification...but you may be able to get the vision therapy talked about earlier...no guarantees there either since it's not currently covered by Tricare...clear as mud I know...

Thanks for the insight TE, and for taking the time to find out what you did. When I get done with the Class III, I'll try to shed some light for those worried about the testing...if it doesn't violate anything. I know there were older documents to use as examples, but as for as what tools are used and how the testing is conducted I think a lot of guys who have some time to wait before they can go get their CIII's are curious what all is involved.

Thanks again.

I was worried about it, but took it the other day by requesting it at the med group. Take your time. I stared at stereograms in an attempt to train my eyes to recognize it. Not sure if it helped, but I failed DP in MEPS, and blew it away the other day.

$4000? That's crazy. You should try looking around. The vision therapy place I went to charged $100 per visit. For Me it took about 16 visits. You can probably get it done in less visits if cost is a deal breaker. I would not start of with sterograms if you have poor depth perception. In VT the will probably start you off with something called a lifesaver chart. It's all about training your eyes to work together.

So after talking with my recuiter, it sounds like the rules that the Functional are looking at, and the rules regarding recruitment are somehow different. Due to this difference, I lucked out and was able to get a CCT slot despite failing DP at MEPS. It also appears that if the regs are changed now, my slot will be 'grandfathered' in.

The one concern is that I might get tested again on DP during my flight physical. Just so I know when to expect it: When during the pipeline do Combat Control Trainees get tested for their class III flight physicals?

Also; TheRoad64, you said you stared at stereograms to help you. What kind were you looking at? Are those the same thing as the 'Magic Eye'designs?

Had a few Vision Therapy sessions and was able to pass the Depth perception test. Now just waiting on the rest of the FCIII

These.

http://www.eyetricks.com/3dstereo.htm

I don't know that they worked. But I passed DP

DP will probably be tested at least two more times: once in basic for your physical there, and again at STTS (AST) when you get your class III.

Have they changed it back to DP is required to go CCT? Or can you still get in with failing it at MEPS?

The official requirements sheet that I have says depth perception is required for CCT. I just took my annual flight physical and I was tested again as well.

We had a Trainee who failed the test at MEPS but passed it at his civilain Optometrist. Our Medical Squadron submitted the civilai test along with his Class III Physical as evidence that while he failed the USAF Test, he did actually have acceptable depth perception. It took an extra couple of months to get the test, do all the paperwork, and get acceptance from Air Education and Training Command (AETC), but his Physical was eventually approved by AETC.

Im confused, I dont see the point in being able to get a GTEP CCT contract right now but then when you get to basic and re-take the DP test and fail, you have to pick another job?

It is just a loop hole that will soon close. You are correct, there is no point in getting a GTEP slot when you don't meet the standard. On the other hand, if you have a GTEP slot and fail at BMT, it is more incentive for the USAF to send you to an Air Force Optometrist to see if you pass other depth perception tests.

I am one of the people that got a GTEP but failed DP, the meps recruiter told me DP is only required for PJ. I ship Dec 28, I know that i have depth perception i played baseball for years. The doctors at meps told me the DP test at basic is alot easier than the bogus one they have at meps, so we'll see.

Good luck. And your Recruiter has it backwards, PJs don't require depth perception, CCT does.

The Doctors are somewhat correct. I failed the DP test at MEPS, but when I got my Flight III physical during second week of basic I passed it. The test is pretty much the same, only the machine isn't as beat up and they don't try and rush you so much. I just took my time and got it right, the magic eye books I spent a couple weeks looking at between MEPS and BMT might have helped. Just know that you WILL have to pass it during BMT. One member of my flight did not, even after several attempts, and got reclassed.

How is PJ's get a by on depth perception from a flight physical?

Let me explain why I ask this question.

I'm the Air NCO for my squadron JCSE, at Macdill AFB. Were an Airborne Unit. I have a jumper that just got DNIF'd because he didn't pass the Depth Perception test.

We are just Air Force Comm guys, and the lowest form of jumpers. Were nobody special and follow Field Manual 3-21.220. as the joke goes. "how do you spell joint? A.R.M.Y."

If there is a way to get PJ's a classIII Flight Physical with out depth Perception. Can somebody tell me how that is, So I can get my Jumper back on Status?

I know this is a lil off topic. But this particular jumper was wanting to go PJ but believes all doors are closed now? any help would be much appreciated.

As best as I can tell from AFI 48-123 and AFPAM 48-133 both PJs and CCT must meet the same vision standards including depth perception when tested during MEPS medical examination and when tested during initial CCT/PJ (FC III and marine diving duty) medical examination.

Failure on initial screening during MEPS medical examination screening or the initial CCT/PJ (FC III and marine diving duty) medical examination requires a full optometry or ophthalmology evaluation. It is the waiverable baseline that is difficult to nail down as it is the possible/potential underlying medical condition that is causing the defective depth perception that is the concern.

“The failure is a failure of the test and does not define a condition or give a diagnosis. The failure can be due to microtropia, monofixation syndrome, a cranial nerve palsy, brain tumor, retinal disease, ocular mortility, disorders, etc.” The depth perception test is a screening tool used to see if other tests are needed to find a potentially serious medical condition.

Generally a failure caused only by a refective error where the person only needs to wear correction to meet the DP standards. Meeting DP standards with required wear of correction devices (glasses/contacts)is potentially can be qualified without needing a waiver. It's the other bad stuff they might find that one needs to worry about.