Hi all,

I believe I am posting this correctly. I have some questions regarding the Vision requirements for PJ/CCT. Currently I am 22 and have been to MEPS to physical for the Navy... I had planned on doing their challenge program for SEAL. While at MEPS I found out for the first time in my life that I had a color vision "issue". I have 20/20 vision all around with normal depth perception etc.. But I failed the Ishihara test (the one with the dots). My navy recruiter had told me that it DQ'ed me from any Naval SPECWAR program except possibly diver with a waiver. I have unofficially taken the CCT and PJ PAST test with a recruiter as well as one for the Navy. Ive gotten myself to where I can complete the CCT PAST twice back to back with decent numbers. Is there any way around this issue for PJ or CCT? The air force recruiter im with now told me to get a civilian doctor to do an exam, and if I pass it then it will be accepted by MEPS and I should be good to go medically. Im set on doing specops and do not really want to take another job. If its possible to take another AFSC and retrain into PJ later then I would be willing to do that as well. Any help would be appreciated, Thanks in advance guys.

- Jonathan

There is no way to avoid the medical disqualification documented by a MEPS Medical examination. The Air Force Recruiter is in error as it's more than just a MEPS acceptance by being also an Air Force HQ AETC/SG acceptance.

Would it be possible for him to present his findings to the SG and be approved for a retest?

I do know that waiver's are not given out for this, so if they won't let you at least retest you may need to consider a different path... it sucks but you gotta keep moving along in life!

A civilian has no direct access to present any findings. It goes through AFRS and MEPS. It appears color vision requirements have also become more stringent or robust.




Rapid Quantification of Color Vision: The Cone Contrast Test


USAFSAM teams with Innova Systems, Inc. for new color vision test

Color Blind Test

Well as it seems the AF recruiter is still adamant about me getting a civilian Dr. to do an eye exam. I was hoping to somehow get a retest at MEPS but it doesnt seem possible until 2 years from now when the physical expires. It sucks. This has been a desire of mine for awhile now and physically and mentally I am to a point where I feel like I can make it through the program. Of course there are things that I simply cannot prepare for during the pipeline, but for the most part I am ready to go. My entire reason for wanting to join the military is to join the SOF community. Not that traditional military service is a bad thing, the military machine would not work with out all of the parts from all of the branches, but the SOF community is a huge dream of mine. Now It seems i have to give it up because of something completely out of my control. Very disheartening. Thanks guys for the help and if anyone else has info please post up and let me know.

Well then do what the recruiter is asking and give him the civilian eye exam to forward. All I stated is both MEPS and AETC/SG have to accept it.

The only other significance being pointed out by my comments are the specific color vision tests needing to get a good to go pass on.

Hello, just to pipe in because I had to go through a similar experience. I failed the MEPS color vision (and depth perception) according to the Air Force standards. Once you have that disqualification it is very difficult to move forward and get past it. After some networking and many emails later I managed to take the AF FC III flight physical and passed the color vision test (it was the new cone-contrast one that Yukon posted a link to above). The physical was approved! So there's always another path or option to pursue to get where you want.

It is true as far as I know that you cannot get a waiver for the color vision failure for MEPS, but if you manage to take the flight physical and still fail, it IS possible to apply for a waiver. Finding a doc that will go through that process with you for an extremely low chance of the waiver being approved is the challenge.

Good Luck!