So I’ve just completed the final part of my application to USNA which was the DODMERB. After I was done with the optometrist, he explained to me that I passed everything on the eye test except the depth perception test. He told me it wasn’t horrible, just not good enough to be considered “passing”. He also told me that he didn’t know what this meant for me in regards to the academy. After a bit of reading, it has come to my understanding that this will only disqualify me from being a pilot, but not admission to the academy. I have no idea if that is correct or not. Can someone verify this for me?
Do you have corrective lenses? If so, have you ever been diagnosed previously with an issue on depth perception? You could always call Dodmerb and ask if you could do a retest with a different doctor.
In any case, I doubt you would fail to get that waived at USNA for the depth perception dq (unless you completely bombed the score). But, yes, you will not qualify for aviation.
@aoeuidhtns Thanks for the quick reply.
I’m not too worried about being disqualified from being a pilot since I was leaning more towards EOD anyway. I’m way more concerned with being disqualified from the academy itself. I have corrective lens, but it is my understanding that it is not for depth perception. My eyesight is weaker in my left eye than my right so I wear glasses that correct it to 20/20. I don’t believe that I have been previously diagnosed with an issue on depth perception. Do I need to get it waived before I hear whether or not I have been given an appointment to the academy and how do I do that?
Submit the paperwork and they’ll follow up with you. Dodmerb should be the first to reach out to you if it’s a borderline case, again depending on their depth perception cut-off. If they think it’s borderline, they’ll contact you asking for more information, otherwise if they consider it a disqualification dodmerb sends your file to USNA.
At this point, I believe USNA will go through your application, and if they believe you would be a successful candidate regardless of your depth perception, then they’ll file for a waiver. They’ll send you the waiver process with further instructions in any case.
Plenty of people come out with some kind of blemish on their medical records, so I wouldn’t worry too much at this point. Just keep an eye out for next steps from the academy.
@aoeuidhtns Alright thanks for the information, I really appreciate it. I’ll keep an eye out for emails from USNA and DODMERB.
@aoeuidhtns So my I just received an update from DoDMERB telling me that my file is complete and has been reviewed and they determined that I didn’t meet the standards, but I “may not be out of the running yet” first because of the depth perception issue. They also pointed out that because I wear Invisalign that also “disqualifies” me. The treatments will be over in early-mid June and then I will of course have a retainer for the rest of my life. I know that you said I can file for a waiver for the eyesight problem, is that the case here as well?
Yeah that was expected from dodmerb, but admissions will review and begin the waiver process if they believe you’re a strong candidate. I thought braces were fine as long as they were out before July, but maybe it’s different for Invisalign/Anapolis vs. Army. Have you tried asking around serviceacademyforums.com?
@aoeuidhtns I’ve really only been asking around here, although I have been reading other’s posts on a number of websites. It’s just been making me anxious since I’ve heard back from all my other colleges, I can’t move forward until I hear back from USNA since it’s my first choice. So I’ve been spending most if not all of my time re-answering questions on websites and checking my application for any updates. Every time I type in “U” or “D” in my search engine, it immediately suggests the DoDMERB Site or the USNA Site.