Is it possible to get a vision waiver (color blindness) to join the military? If so, do you have any advice?

2016-04-19T01:03:48-04:00

posted Mon 18 April 2016 09:59 PM
So, I have currently enlisted in the Air Force in the DEP Program, but during my MEPS Medical, I messed up by 4 or 5 numbers on the Ishihara Test (Knowing I'm not color blind but I guess maybe a little deficient which I never knew since my Eye Doctor administered a color blindness test a very long time ago and told me I was perfectly fine, and well being that one person to also take Color Blindness tests online and all) and that bummed me out since I was really hoping for a job within the Special Operations Community and/or Tactical/Special Aviation Mechanic and so on. But I was wondering if there was any possible way TO retest or somehow submit an official Color Blindness Exam taken by my Eye Doctor to them and get it changed. You may get this question a lot and I would like to apologize for being that one person to ask it again. If there is no way to waiver it or get it changed than I will have to just accept what I got and still be very proud that I even got to raise my hand and say the 'Oath of Enlistment'. Thank you all for the Advice and Answers.

Response by TSgt David L. made Apr 19 at 2016 2:01 AM

2016-04-19T02:01:23-04:00

I think once you were tested as being deficient you are out of luck. MEPS has a long memory and doesn't forget such a thing, even something seemly trivial. There are career fields that demand perfect color vision. Good luck though. Maybe someone will have a better answer.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Apr 19 at 2016 3:43 AM

2016-04-19T03:43:04-04:00

Well that kinda blows doesn't it! Sorry can't go into the field of your Heart's Desire but not necessarily the end of the world might be an in to something better. Got a lot of fields in the Military where it is not so much an issue. Don't need good color vision to do what I did. Cryptologic Technician Communications (Now I thing they call themselves Information Technician Specialist and or Cryptologic Technician Networks).

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2016 1:48 PM

2016-04-19T13:48:26-04:00

I cannot speak for the Air Force, but I have served with color blind soldiers in the army. Clearly there are some challenges (like putting your ribbons in order) but depending on your job there may be waivers.

Response by SPC Brian Mason made Apr 20 at 2016 12:41 PM

2016-04-20T12:41:03-04:00

That would have problems. As a medic if was Red/Green colorblind then I couldn't see the blood very well and couldn't perform my MOS. All soldiers are trained as First Responders so anyone that is R/G colorblind couldn't either; leading to less effective treatment. Not sure what other complications it would cause, but MOS requirements could be affected. There's a good reason being CB keeps people out of the military. Safety of soldiers and civilians is way more important.

Response by Avigail Stephen Azman made Apr 20 at 2016 3:37 PM

2016-04-20T15:37:53-04:00

If you need to pass a color blind test contact http://www.colormax.org they guarantee passing the Ishihara color blind test. Hope this helps and Thank you for your service!

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Response by Elijah Slavit made Dec 2 at 2017 4:33 PM

2017-12-02T16:33:16-05:00

Just a head's up, the color vision test is done by good-lite, not the ishihara test plates. Don't spend your time learning those when you'll need to know the other ones.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 18 at 2019 1:50 AM

2019-11-18T01:50:05-05:00

I know it's late, but I originally tried to get a SF contract when I first joined, and met with a representative of 9th SF group; they wanted an 18 E, I got a 92 on the asvab, and my lowest count was 140 my colorblindness stoped me from getting an 18 contract, but because I had red green discrimination I qualified for exactly two jobs infantry, and cook guess which one I took.

Response by SrA Ronald Moore made Apr 9 at 2020 10:08 AM

2020-04-09T10:08:43-04:00

Thank for sharing !