Laser eye question for army

[Hawleywood]

i was going to join the army to be infantry with a ranger option i go to get my physical and my eyes are not good enough for infantry so now im a comsec radio repair with ranger option and my first assignment is to train with a ranger BAT. if i get laser eye surgery to correct my vision to 20/20 would i be able to get infantry training and become infantry. and if that is possible and i get laser eye surgery during my comsec radio repair training would i be able to leave that class and go to infantry training.

[Ivan_The_Mute]

Ok, a few quick things. 1: Please improve your posts. Proper grammar and usage are required on this board. 2: Are you in the service, or are you in a DEP program right now?

The reason I ask #2, is (for the USAF at least,) having any kind of ocular surgery is an automatic disqualifier for service. That includes RK and LASIK procedures which actually improve vision. Further, since (I assume, as you've already been DQ'd from serving in a line-infantry position) you've already gone through MEPS and your vision is on record, any action which would improve your sight drastically would automatically be noted, and you'll likely get DQ'd from serving at all.

You'll want to speak to your recruiter to get the specifics, but I'd hold off on getting any sort of refractive ocular surgery until you get permission from your chain of command. And also, best of luck in your service. If you intend on becoming a Ranger, you'll need it.

[Billyd]

Also, around these parts it is considered rude not to first introduce yourself in the New Members forum prior to posting elsewhere. Please proceed to that area and post a proper introduction.

[PhilK]

Originally Posted by Ivan_The_Mute

The reason I ask #2, is (for the USAF at least,) having any kind of ocular surgery is an automatic disqualifier for service. That includes RK and LASIK procedures which actually improve vision. Further, since (I assume, as you've already been DQ'd from serving in a line-infantry position) you've already gone through MEPS and your vision is on record, any action which would improve your sight drastically would automatically be noted, and you'll likely get DQ'd from serving at all.

You'll want to speak to your recruiter to get the specifics, but I'd hold off on getting any sort of refractive ocular surgery until you get permission from your chain of command. And also, best of luck in your service. If you intend on becoming a Ranger, you'll need it.

The Army allows you to have ocular surgery and you can actually get it done on post.

Priority goes to the combat arms, so they can have better vision to engage targets.

[army_grunt_11B]

Hey Major, do you know if the Guard pays for it as well, I hate wearing BCGS, but the closet Fort is Fort Reily and its a four hour drive so its not something I can just drive up and ask them about it, as they dont even allow guard members in POVs on post, also I don't use tricare, so is that a dependent factor?

[PhilK]

Originally Posted by army_grunt_11B

Hey Major, do you know if the Guard pays for it as well, I hate wearing BCGS, but the closet Fort is Fort Reily and its a four hour drive so its not something I can just drive up and ask them about it, as they dont even allow guard members in POVs on post, also I don't use tricare, so is that a dependent factor?

I have known Guard guys who have gotten it done at Ft. Hood. BUT...that was when the hospital was not getting enough people from 1st Cav and 4th ID because of deployments.

I would call the clinic and see if they do the surgery first and then see what they require for you to get it done. It might require you being AGR or on the bubble for deployment.

[army_grunt_11B]

Ok, does being on ADSW orders for the last 6months of my service count as AGR? They have me on orders as an GWOT recruiter.

[Ivan_The_Mute]

Thanks Major, I stand corrected (and am considering an intra-service transfer.)

[JohnP]

After years of study, the Air Force decided to change their long-standing policy which disqualified applicants who have had LASIK surgery from flight training and navigator training. The change became effective May 21, 2007. Prior to the change, officers who had had the surgery, prior to flight school could not become Air Force aviators. Under the old policy, a select-few pilots and navigators who had already graduated from flight training could apply to have the surgery and become part of an on-going study group. The change also removes the altitude and high-performance aircraft restrictions for people who have had LASIK.
The results of the study are finally in, and the Air Force has found that there was little to no effect on LASIK-treated eyes when subjected to high G-forces of combat fighter aircraft, the wind blast experienced during aircraft ejection, or exposure to high altitude.
Due to stresses placed on the eyes during flight combined with the active lifestyle of military members, the recommended refractive surgeries are Wave Front Guided Photorefractive Keratectomy, or WFG-PRK, and Wave Front Guided Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis, know as WFG-LASIK, using the femtosecond laser. The eyes are more trauma resistant after surgery using one of these methods compared to other forms of refractive surgeries.
With all refractive surgeries, there is no guarantee of "perfect" sight after undergoing the procedures. Individuals must still meet the standards prescribed in AFI 48-123, Medical Examination and Standard s, for entrance into the Air Force and aviation and special-duty positions.

This is the current policy for the Air Force.