jennsmom

Just wondering if anyone knows if the vision requirement for CGA is ever waived for diopter > 3.5 and 20/25 vision in one eye. Right eye is 20/15.

My son really has his heart set on Coast Guard, but we recently found out from DoDRMB that he did not meet the medical standards (vision) for US Naval Academy.

He did medically qualify for USMA and USAFA, but his first choice is CGA.

Should we pretty much assume it will be same for CGA as Navy?
Thank you for any info.

Luigi59

Common USCGA Disqualifications

Eyes and Vision: Uncorrected visual acuity worse than 20/400 in either eye. Vision not correctable to 20/20 in either eye. Refractive error exceeding plus or minus 8.00 diopters (spherical equivalent). Astigmatism exceeding 3.00 diopters and anisometropia exceeding 3.5 diopters. Refractive error corrected by orthokeratology, kerato-refractive, PRK, laser, or any other corneal enhancement.

Waivers are possible for almost anything.

haroldg48

except color blindness which is a DQ, I think.

Bossf51

Red/green is tested even when you get to the Academy. A few years ago something like 8 kids were DQ'ed the day after R-day for that. So don't fudge it.

zachogden

Also don't lie about sleepwalking either. Alfa company had to go an a little SAR op the last week of swab summer to find a missing swab... found him curled up on the parade field with his blanket. he's sleep[walking] at home now. pretty sad actually.

(Not saying he lied, the moral of the story is that if you have a condition and think you can hide it, chances are pretty good they'll find out.)

USNA69

An irresponsible comment. DodMERB contractors are only capable of administering the Ishihara color blindness tests. Those who pass it are considered medically qualified. Howver, the sea sevice Academies require a further test upon admittance, the Falant Lantern Test. Those who fail the Ishihara during DodMERB are offered a chance at the Falant during the medical exam process. However, those who pass the Ishihara during DoDMERB may have problems not discovered until admissions. It is not fudging it, again an irresponsible comment. And one of the unfortunate shortcomings of the system since Concorde is not qualified to administer the final sea service color blindness test. I feel for those every year who flunk it. They fudged nothing. They were a victim of economics.