<p>Can i still be a naval aviator even if i have gone thorugh lasik surgery??</p>
<p>I believe Lasik is disqualifying for naval aviation -- at least for pilots. Lasik is also considered a "disqualifying" condition for admission and requests for waivers are generally not granted. Consult usna.edu under admissions and then medical examination for details. </p>
<p>The reason, BTW -- and as I understand it -- is that there have been problems with Lasik at high G's. While this is not a problem for the vast majority of people, it could be for naval officers, esp pilots. </p>
<p>If you haven't had the surgery, DON'T. If you have, you can still apply but your chances of receiving a waiver appear to be relatively small.</p>
<p>Naval aviation does, however, allow PRK, a surgery with similar outcomes though a completely different process.</p>
<p>Jonan - if you've had the surgery and are considering SA acceptance you may have disqualified yourself.</p>
<p>We were going to have it done until we got the letter last spring before SS stating NO one would be accepted if they had ANY corrective eye surgery. As earlier post stated, once the 21st birthday (point of basic eye stability) is reached they are permitted to have various procedures for correction.</p>
<p>Good luck! :)</p>
<p>If your eyesight is not good enough to be a pilot but you still want to fly, you might want to consider being a NFO(Naval Flight Officer). I think the eyesight requirements for that are less stringent.</p>
<p>What exactly is a Naval Flight Officer? I have a general idea, but I keep hearing different things.</p>
<p>A Naval Flight Officer is an officer who mans the electronic systems of the aircraft in question. Remember Goose in Top Gun? He was an NFO.</p>
<p>With the demise of the F-14, NFO's are limited to aircraft such as the E-2C Hawkeye, the S-3 Viking, and other aircraft where non-flying systems expertise is required.</p>
<p>Unless things have changed, NFO eyesight requirements are less stringent than pilot requirements.</p>
<p>The USMC also has NFO's, but not many.</p>
<p>Zaph, minus the S-3's...they are going bye-bye. I would hate to be an NFO in that aircraft...definitely need sick bags for that job.</p>
<p>So, Owen Wilson in Behind Enemy Lines...was he a NFO on that f-18?</p>
<p>Lyse01 states that PRK is okay for aviation, which is correct. But...It's still disqualifing for admission to the Academy. If you need it and are otherwise Pilot Qualified, then the Navy will provide it after you're already in. Another good site, if you're really interested in Naval Aviation, is Air Warriors at <a href="http://www.airwarriors.com/forum/cmps_index.php%5B/url%5D">http://www.airwarriors.com/forum/cmps_index.php</a></p>
<p>There are a lot of men and women on that site that are out there in the fleet and flying. Just make sure you read it for a while before posting (kind of like CC?) because they don't suffer fiools gently.</p>
<p>thanks for all your advice guys. </p>
<p>And just so you know i haven't had surgery but was seriously considering it.</p>