<p>Ok so I've applied to USNA, but haven't heard anything back. If I'm good enough to get in, will my need for contacts force me to wear those glasses? My vision is horrible so I need something and I'm assuming you can't wear contacts at USNA because you'll be in the water? Not that I wouldn't attend for this reason, I just hate glasses; I've never felt comfortable in them. If I had to wear them for training would I be able to keep my contacts at the academy and wear them during class and leave and such? Thanks.</p>
<p>I am not an expert, but I would think you would have to wear them.</p>
<p>You have to wear the "horrible" glasses for plebe summer. You will be sweaty, muddy and tired. Too many chances for an eye infection for you to wear contacts.</p>
<p>Once the academic year is underway, contacts are allowed.
CM</p>
<p>The 'horrible glasses' are called: BCG....Birth Control Glasses. Everyone looks so awful in them that it's a guaranteed opposite-sex repellent!</p>
<p>OOOOOOOooo, i thought it stood for "basic cadet glasses." I learned something new today about the academies</p>
<p>That's what we called them for males. For females they were RPG's (Rape-Prevention Glasses). Not the funniest joke ever penned, especially in light of some foolish Midshipmen's recent behavior, but that's what we called them.</p>
<p>I do not know the regulations now, but back in my day I distinctly remember wearing my contacts during Plebe Summer, and I THINK I remember some of my classmates wearing regular glasses. If the regulations have changed, then obviously you'll have to stick to them.</p>
<p>But keep this in mind: During Plebe Summer, the very LAST thing on your mind will be how good you look. Your head will be shaved, you are going to lose a ton of weight, you will be tired and haggard, and will be so overwhelmed that you'll think you'll NEVER be rid of that deer-in-the-headlights look in your eyes. Just roll with it and you'll be fine.</p>
<p>What candidatemom says above about contacts is true. If not looked after, they can lead to some real problems. That said, I've run the O-Course, fought fires, and a whole bunch of other stuff without any problems. I suppose it's a risk factor rather than a certainty.</p>
<p>Hang in there, and good luck. You'll be alright. :)</p>
<p>Z- They don't use the RPG moniker anymore...probably after Tailhook, that's too sexist a label. It's BCG for one and all. And no, you don't wear contacts during Plebe Summer, period. In a few rare instances, some Plebes got to wear their regular glasses. This was due to unusual circumstances, one I know of where the Navy screwed up on their refraction and so they 'let' the Plebe wear his own glasses. However - it caused him grief as he stuck out for this fact alone....Bottom line....expect to wear BCG if you need correction. And look around you - lots of others will be looking as stupid as you - but trust me - it will be the LAST thing on your mind.</p>
<p>Well, Peskemom's information is much more current than mine, so there it is.</p>
<p>I can assure you, however, the the RPG description remains. Quietly, but it does. </p>
<p>They really are awful things. Yeesh! :(</p>
<p>Yes you have to wear those wonderful glasses. One of the happiest days of Plebe summer for my daughter was when she was permitted to wear her own glasses and THEN she was able to wear her contacts! That didnt happen till the end of Plebe summer.</p>
<p>There IS an important advantage to those glasses--when your mom is going blind looking at all those Plebe Summer pics on dropshots, USNA Parents and Thorton, she'll be able to pick you out easier! I'm just grateful my dd has very curly hair and is very tall...</p>
<p>Since we were issued 2 pairs at USAFA, one guy snapped the bridge on purpose, then tapped them. Our Cadre thought it was pretty funny. He still breaks out the BCGs to be funny sometimes.</p>