How was BT and AIT if you wore glasses? How were you trained with astigmatism?

Jayden Manning — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 20:39:44 -0400

Can you ware your black glasses (civs)
How do you train with astigmatism when it comes to shooting ( had past experience have the idea just follow through ) I know my vision is different with out glasses I walk in to base of threshold of a door way it's anyoing
Do you go through a eye exam at bt
What to do wen your glasses break

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Jun 12 at 2017 8:49 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 20:49:38 -0400

Yes you get an eye exam at boot camp. Yes you get issued glasses. No you can't wear your civilian glasses. I personally don't know how to train for shooting with astigmatism. I shoot with glasses and the primary issue is making sure your glasses are in the exact spot they are supposed to be for optimal vision. If your glasses break you get new ones. If your boot camp glasses break, they get you new ones. But good luck though, those things are mighty durable. I still have mine. Scratches galore on it, but still in one piece.

Response by PFC Jonathan Albano made Jun 12 at 2017 9:12 PM

PFC Jonathan Albano — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 21:12:36 -0400

Shooting with an astigmatism is, fundamentally, no different than shooting without one. I went through most of my time in service without even knowing I had one. Just pay attention when the Drills are talking about sight picture and you'll be fine. Looks like your other questions were already answered.

Also, pro tip, wipe your glasses down with shaving cream before you go to the range. It'll keep them from fogging up while you're qualifying on your rifle.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2017 9:48 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 21:48:44 -0400

Learn how to use grammar before you worry about eyesight and glasses at BCT.

Response by SGT Matthew Sesar made Jun 13 at 2017 8:41 AM

SGT Matthew Sesar — Tue, 13 Jun 2017 08:41:37 -0400

Your glasses should be the least of your worries man, keep your mouth shut and your eyes and ears open and you will do fine.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Jun 13 at 2017 11:19 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Tue, 13 Jun 2017 11:19:14 -0400

I was issued the old black birth control glasses. The best part is I was also issued sun glasses as well. No one treated me different, I got screwed with just like everyone else. Shooting is no different. Just be aware you might shoot opposite than you think. As a DS I had many right handed privates who ended up shooting left.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2017 3:38 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Jun 2017 15:38:03 -0400

As others have mentioned, you'll receive an eye exam and the standard issue glasses meant to take more punishment than your standard civilian glasses. You'll also be issued inserts for your protective eye wear, which is what I preferred to wear all the time during basic combat training. As long as your vision is correctable to 20/20 (mine actually doesn't correct to a full 20/20), you should be able to qualify with iron sights during marksmanship training. As long as you can shoot 23/40, you'll pass. I learned how to adjust for my slight bit of astigmatism while shooting.

I was allowed to wear my civilian glasses once I went to AIT, but if you're infantry going to OSUT, you'll likely just wear the military issue until you complete all your training and then be able to wear your civilian glasses once you get to your first duty station. Given how much punishment I know my ballistic eye gear went through, I know my civilian glasses would not have survived. Even after I could wear civilian glasses, I still switched out to my military issue when I went to the range, and while deployed.

Response by Capt Dwayne Conyers made Jun 13 at 2017 6:35 PM

Capt Dwayne Conyers — Tue, 13 Jun 2017 18:35:14 -0400

My only problem was having photogrey glasses. They got dark in the sun, which was apparently a violation when we were in formation.

Response by Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2017 6:43 PM

Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Jun 2017 18:43:56 -0400

I have an astigmatism (not a soldier or vet - but avid shooter). I have otherwise perfect vision and rarely wear glasses. I have no problems shooting open sights but some issue with a scope - thats where i have to force eyes to focus with alot of blinking and its harder. I just prefer open sights. Its harder if dominate eye is same as the eye with astigmatism.

My son is going to BCT soon. He wears glasses. His recruiter said Army also does Lasik. My son had said he didnt want Lasik becaue glasses are apart of his idenity. I showed him what the BCGs look like...birth control glasses...and he said he might look into the Lasik.

Side question -I understand Army offers Lasik surgery or vision correction. Does that happen before or after AIT?