<p>GA, you may be able to weigh in on the actual years...but it USED to be that ALL USNA grads got a USN Commission - which was not someone ROTC grads got, they got a USNR Commission. My husband, Class of '72 was USN...then after Vietnam and sometime after our military downsized, ALL graduates regardless of the institution were USNR ( much to the consternation of the USNA grads) and recently they've gone back to this dileneation, but I don't know why. I do know that our mids now, mine and yours, WhistlePig, will have USN Commissions from USNA. </p>
<p>Anyone else know the specifics?? GA, in '80 did you get a USN or USNR Commission?</p>
<p>While I'm recognizing this is far more complex, perhaps politicized than I know, logic and recognizing the stated mission of USNA, it would SEEM that USN commissions would be the default mode.</p>
<p>To put this thread back on its original title- I thought some of you might be interested in this article and the Navy doctor who does the kind of surgery I was mentioning....</p>
<p>
[quote]
GA, you may be able to weigh in on the actual years...but it USED to be that ALL USNA grads got a USN Commission - which was not someone ROTC grads got, they got a USNR Commission. My husband, Class of '72 was USN...then after Vietnam and sometime after our military downsized, ALL graduates regardless of the institution were USNR ( much to the consternation of the USNA grads) and recently they've gone back to this dileneation, but I don't know why. I do know that our mids now, mine and yours, WhistlePig, will have USN Commissions from USNA. </p>
<p>Anyone else know the specifics?? GA, in '80 did you get a USN or USNR Commission?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>The Class of 1980 received USN commissions. During the '80s NROTC grads with full 4-year scholarships also received USN commissions; other ROTC students received USNR commissions.</p>
<p>The service academies didn't issue USNR commissions until the '90s. That was changed back to USN commissions last year with the Class of 2006.</p>
<p>So a mid can have PRK after they enter the academy to improve vision, but cannot have it prior to an appointment to eliminate the need for an eye waiver?</p>
<p>Then it would seem that there may be several factors involved when considering someone for this waiver. If an applicant is correctable to 20/20, and is well qualified for there appoinment, why would they be denied a waiver if their vision can be corrected in their second class year via PRK?</p>
<p>I can understand the Academy not wanting another physician to perform the procedure as well as making sure the patients eyes are done developing.</p>
<p>Not all PRK surgeries will go as expected and correct to 20/20 so the Academy will still need to limit the number of appointments that require a vision waiver so that the Navy can fill it's unrestricted line.</p>
<p>Our B&G explained the reason for the difference (i.e. surgery being disqualifying if surgery was performed before appointment, vs sometime in 2nd or 3rd year) - seems that a male's eye's are not done developing / growing until they are about 20 yrs old (females earlier). Thus they don't want to do the surgery (or allow someone else to do it) until the eyes are fully developed (i.e. no need to do it twice either). </p>
<p>There is a rumor that sometime IN THE FUTURE that USNA may change this rule and allow certain surgeries prior to plebe year (without it being an automatic disqualification) but I wouldn't count on it anytime soon....</p>
<p>I've also seen herein that USNA used to have a "limit" on the number of kids they'd accept/admit that needed the surgery to become unrestricted officers. Hence the need for a "waiver" at appointment review time. But I've also been told that this "rule" may be in the midst of a change, probably due to the ease, availability, and sucess rate of PRK surgeries these days. So maybe sometime in the NEAR future they won't limit the number of Plebes coming in with glasses, eliminating the the need for "eye waivers" on future classes.... Can any current B&G's chime in with what they are being told about this subject?</p>
<p>We were told last year the first change to the waiver rule was not requiring a waiver up to 20/40 vision, prior was anything above 20/20. That occured last year in the Sept/Oct time frame.</p>
<p>I also have heard that there was a problem with some Service Selection slots this year because so many young mids are getting PRK's...and then qualifying for flightline slots that they wouldn't have previously - that the flight side of the slots are being filled up and those mids who in the past would have autotmatically been disqualified and had chosen SWO and other slots - are not as eager to do those, so the Navy is thinking this through right now.....</p>
<p>DQed for -8.50 diopters and a small retinal hole in left eye - had a laser retinopexy to correct it and have minimal risk of retinal detacment.</p>
<p>USMA and USAFA gave me a waiver, USNA denied. BGO is sending them a copy of my USMA appointment seeing if they'll reconsider. But if they don't, I'll likely be saying GO ARMY! soon. I guess it wouldn't be too bad, I'd have 5 extra days of freedom, wouldn't have to report until July 2, haha. Not sure how many hooahs I can stand though, almost went insane at USMA SLS :P</p>
<p>erbium.... to late to consider USMMA???? just a thought....</p>
<p>if not, embrace USMA...it is an amazing place.... and while Navy polks fun at them, they are just as good at giving it back! In either case- you have an amazing opportunity before you, and congrats for a job well done! Getting into any of the federal academies is no easy task! </p>