The USMC, Crappy Vision, Glasses & Laser Eye Surgery?
- Thread starter BerettaNut92
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Maxinquaye
Member
Hi Skunk,
I haven't posted here in quite a bit, but here's the answer you may be looking for.
I joined the USMC in '95, got out in '99. My vision when I joined was bad. I mean BAD. Not sure on the 20 scale, but both eyes had 8.5 diopters plus astigmatism on contact lenses. Legally blind w/o correction, 20/20 with.
Anyway, I had to write a letter requesting a waiver. Of course some MOS's were out for me like MP and a few others. No way to be a pilot (do you have a degree? Go to OCS then!). I believe I also had to go to another doctor for a second opinion.
My letter basically stated that I lived a very active lifestyle and that my glasses had never slowed me down, so no reason to believe they would in the USMC.
When I got to bootcamp, they had to special order my BCG's, so I wore my "civilian" glasses through most of bootcamp. Apparently they special ordered them from the other side of nowhere. I got lots of crap for standing out so much, and my civvies weren't very sturdy, so make sure you have a good solid pair when you enlist.
As for lasik, I can't say since I only just got it about a year ago. I can say my Dr. got me to 20/30 both eyes in one shot! Definitely go with the best, make money no object. Cheaper in the long run. Best thing I've done for my body ever. Including the rigors of boot camp.
Semper Fi!
I haven't posted here in quite a bit, but here's the answer you may be looking for.
I joined the USMC in '95, got out in '99. My vision when I joined was bad. I mean BAD. Not sure on the 20 scale, but both eyes had 8.5 diopters plus astigmatism on contact lenses. Legally blind w/o correction, 20/20 with.
Anyway, I had to write a letter requesting a waiver. Of course some MOS's were out for me like MP and a few others. No way to be a pilot (do you have a degree? Go to OCS then!). I believe I also had to go to another doctor for a second opinion.
My letter basically stated that I lived a very active lifestyle and that my glasses had never slowed me down, so no reason to believe they would in the USMC.
When I got to bootcamp, they had to special order my BCG's, so I wore my "civilian" glasses through most of bootcamp. Apparently they special ordered them from the other side of nowhere. I got lots of crap for standing out so much, and my civvies weren't very sturdy, so make sure you have a good solid pair when you enlist.
As for lasik, I can't say since I only just got it about a year ago. I can say my Dr. got me to 20/30 both eyes in one shot! Definitely go with the best, make money no object. Cheaper in the long run. Best thing I've done for my body ever. Including the rigors of boot camp.
Semper Fi!
JamisJockey
member
Skunk,
Semper Fi, You'll love it! If I didn't make so damn much money out (Debt free next year!), I'd have stayed in.
Don't let them talk you into an MOS until you've had time to think about it. Check your ASVAB scores, see whats available, see what has enlistment bonuses (yes, they will pay you for certain MOS's), and see what you'd like to do.
You could consider MPs, and then look into Embassy duty or something similar down the road for pure entertainment purposes.
Good luck, man! Start practicing those pullups, situps, pushups, and running right now!!!!!
Semper Fi, You'll love it! If I didn't make so damn much money out (Debt free next year!), I'd have stayed in.
Don't let them talk you into an MOS until you've had time to think about it. Check your ASVAB scores, see whats available, see what has enlistment bonuses (yes, they will pay you for certain MOS's), and see what you'd like to do.
You could consider MPs, and then look into Embassy duty or something similar down the road for pure entertainment purposes.
Good luck, man! Start practicing those pullups, situps, pushups, and running right now!!!!!
My son's signed on to the MARINES, he's on the light side too. He's doing his PT'ng now getting ready to go to boot. They told him not to worry too much about the weight. Like another said on this thread, it'll prove to be advantageous during the "crucible".
I went into the NAVY at 110 pounds, I was 107 just before weigh in, but had a bunch of bannanas and a shake.
Now after 24 years of NAVY chow I'm at 190. I watched what i ate, now I can see exactly where it all went.
Good luck to you.
SEMPER FI
I went into the NAVY at 110 pounds, I was 107 just before weigh in, but had a bunch of bannanas and a shake.
Now after 24 years of NAVY chow I'm at 190. I watched what i ate, now I can see exactly where it all went.
Good luck to you.
SEMPER FI
tetleyb
Member
I would have to disagree with this statement. While true, a thinner person maybe able to run "circles" around other people, that isn't all that matters in combat or in combat training.
I joined the Marine Corps in 1981, went to boot camp, then ITS (Infantry Training School). After which, became a machine gunner on an M60. My standard combat load was much more the Skunkabilly weighs now. An M60 alone, no ammo, was 28 lbs. Now add 1,500 rounds of .308 ammo, your 782 gear, your ALICE pack, etc and I was pushing 150-175 lbs on my back.
Now, hump 20-30 clicks a day, set up OP's, LP's, factor in a 50% alert on guard duty,etc for 30-40 days, when your only sleeping 2-4 hours a night.
I spent many operations carrying the "slightly built" guys and their equipment, because they just could not hack it.
Being able to run 20 miles looks great. On paper and that is about it. However, you need a good combination of both, being able to run and being able to handle your own load, to be an effective combat marine. Not some REMF/pogue.
And if your not joining the Marine Corps looking for a combat role or even not considering a combat role, don't join. Look elsewhere. The Army, Navy, and the Airforce, I am sure will be happy to take you. If you want to get dirty, climb through the mud, live in hell, and be proud of your accomplishments for the rest of your life: The United States Marines Corps is the place to go.
JamisJockey
member
Oh yea, some advice for Skunk and any other young man on his way to the Marines:
when you go to boot, only take the clothes on your back, your ID, and anything else the recruiter tells you to.
When you get out of boot:
Cut down on your personal belongings. Figure out what you're going to really, really want when you get out of boot camp. Get rid of whatever you can. Your loved ones will probably get tired of storing those personal belongings if they take up too much room.
You can't keep guns in the Barracks, so if you have firearms you'll have to check them into the Armory. This means someone else might fondle them at will. Leave 'em home, unless you want to have something to plink with.
Have fun.
when you go to boot, only take the clothes on your back, your ID, and anything else the recruiter tells you to.
When you get out of boot:
Cut down on your personal belongings. Figure out what you're going to really, really want when you get out of boot camp. Get rid of whatever you can. Your loved ones will probably get tired of storing those personal belongings if they take up too much room.
You can't keep guns in the Barracks, so if you have firearms you'll have to check them into the Armory. This means someone else might fondle them at will. Leave 'em home, unless you want to have something to plink with.
Have fun.
MarineTech
Member
Skunk, as much as I'd like to see you join my old alma-mater, you need to keep one very important fact firmly planted in your brain housing group.
You are not going to be able to shoot nearly as much as you do now.
As an enlisted Marine living in the barracks, you are not allowed to keep personal firearms in your barracks. Some units will allow Marines to keep personal firearms in the unit armory, but that leaves them at the tender mercies of armorers who may like to play with things. It also means that you're going to have a tough time finding an armorer with keys to the armory to check your firearm in and out on the weekend. Your other option is to find and make friends with somebody that lives off base. Once again, your firearms are left to their tender mercies, and if they get PCS orders for another base, or EAS out of the Marines, you're left hunting for another storage spot. I got very lucky in that MCAGCC 29 Palms, CA had a SEVERE shortage of barracks space when I was out there in the early 90's. E-4s and above in my unit were given the option of drawing BAQ and COMRATS and living off base. I jumped on it and had my own apartment, and thusly, a place to keep my guns. Don't expect to see a situation like this anytime soon though.
Also even as an 03-humpalot, unless you get sent to one of the hot spots, you're only going to see actual live fire training a very few times a year. If you're not an 0300 MOS or an MP, you're probably only going to pull a trigger for your yearly trip to the rifle range.
Having been on the board since the TFL days, I know how much you like to shoot. I just don't want you to get disillusioned and think that the Corps is "a shooters paradise".
You are not going to be able to shoot nearly as much as you do now.
As an enlisted Marine living in the barracks, you are not allowed to keep personal firearms in your barracks. Some units will allow Marines to keep personal firearms in the unit armory, but that leaves them at the tender mercies of armorers who may like to play with things. It also means that you're going to have a tough time finding an armorer with keys to the armory to check your firearm in and out on the weekend. Your other option is to find and make friends with somebody that lives off base. Once again, your firearms are left to their tender mercies, and if they get PCS orders for another base, or EAS out of the Marines, you're left hunting for another storage spot. I got very lucky in that MCAGCC 29 Palms, CA had a SEVERE shortage of barracks space when I was out there in the early 90's. E-4s and above in my unit were given the option of drawing BAQ and COMRATS and living off base. I jumped on it and had my own apartment, and thusly, a place to keep my guns. Don't expect to see a situation like this anytime soon though.
Also even as an 03-humpalot, unless you get sent to one of the hot spots, you're only going to see actual live fire training a very few times a year. If you're not an 0300 MOS or an MP, you're probably only going to pull a trigger for your yearly trip to the rifle range.
Having been on the board since the TFL days, I know how much you like to shoot. I just don't want you to get disillusioned and think that the Corps is "a shooters paradise".
jrhead75
Member
Back in my day (1975) it was as has been mentioned earlier, correctable to 20/40 (IIRC), and you were good to go.
As for aviation, you can't be a pilot, but you can be aircrew.
That must've been in more PC times, bro...we called 'em "Birth Control Glasses", because you were guaranteed not to get any while wearing them.
As for aviation, you can't be a pilot, but you can be aircrew.
PromptCritical
Member
You could wait until you get in and have it done on the military's dime. AFAIK the waiting list is something like a year long and we all know about the quality of Navy medical. I know, my best friend is a Corpsman.
jrhead75
Member
I was on I&I duty up at NAS Whidbey during the late 70's and got the same deal. As there were lots of good ranges around, and one outstanding gravel pit, I got in a bunch of shooting.
But Marinetech is right. Generally speaking, you'll have to be creative, lucky, or married to keep firearms at hand in the service
JamisJockey
member
That reminds me. We shared our barracks with the other Station shift work types (crash crew, ops, fuel)....one of the crispy critters had been keeping a gun in his room...it was found during a barracks inspection....he recieved a Court Maritial for that one and we never saw him again.
Ahh...right up my alley
I enlisted in the USAF with moderate myopia. At the point of my Honorable Discharge four years later, said myopia had increased modestly. The change in my prescription was proportinate, which is to say my lens strength got stronger every year since I received the diagnosis of myopia at age seven.
Several years after my discharge, I elected to invest in LASIK corrective eye surgery. At the time, my myopia had advanced to the point that my prescription was about to exceed the corrective abilities of contact lenses, which I had been wearing for several years. There was no persuasion available to convince this Caucasian to return to glasses!
During the LASIK pre-operative screening appointment, my uncorrected vision was as follows:
Left Eye: -10.5 diopters
Right Eye: -9.5 diopters, with astigmatism
After the procedure, my vision was corrected to 20/20, and the effects of my asigmatism were no longer apparant. During every post-operative check-up (~7 appointments over 12 months), every doctor who examined me commented on the extreme degree of oblation (surgical correction) that I underwent, and the positive outcome of my procedure. Certainly, I was well satisfied with the results.
(Tmix - feel free to chime in and explain in layman's terms just how steep my correction was here....)
Having uncorrected 20/20 vision when in uniform will open a lot of doors for you, Skunk. Contrary to what has been stated, it is not possible to have "fighter pilot vision" when you have corrective lenses perched on your nose. Don't argue here -- I am ex-USAF, after all.
PM me if you want more information here. I could go on all day....
Good luck in your endeavor.
TM
Skunk, I can offer a few comments here. This is a road already travelled by the Tall Man.
I enlisted in the USAF with moderate myopia. At the point of my Honorable Discharge four years later, said myopia had increased modestly. The change in my prescription was proportinate, which is to say my lens strength got stronger every year since I received the diagnosis of myopia at age seven.
Several years after my discharge, I elected to invest in LASIK corrective eye surgery. At the time, my myopia had advanced to the point that my prescription was about to exceed the corrective abilities of contact lenses, which I had been wearing for several years. There was no persuasion available to convince this Caucasian to return to glasses!
During the LASIK pre-operative screening appointment, my uncorrected vision was as follows:
Left Eye: -10.5 diopters
Right Eye: -9.5 diopters, with astigmatism
After the procedure, my vision was corrected to 20/20, and the effects of my asigmatism were no longer apparant. During every post-operative check-up (~7 appointments over 12 months), every doctor who examined me commented on the extreme degree of oblation (surgical correction) that I underwent, and the positive outcome of my procedure. Certainly, I was well satisfied with the results.
(Tmix - feel free to chime in and explain in layman's terms just how steep my correction was here....)
Having uncorrected 20/20 vision when in uniform will open a lot of doors for you, Skunk. Contrary to what has been stated, it is not possible to have "fighter pilot vision" when you have corrective lenses perched on your nose. Don't argue here -- I am ex-USAF, after all.
PM me if you want more information here. I could go on all day....
Good luck in your endeavor.
TM
jrhead75 : Naw we called them that too...but my momma taught me to watch my mouth in mixed company.
If you go 03 (Infantry) you WILL get more trigger time than once a year, more like once every other month or so. More if you are spinning up for deployment.
When my lease is up its 90% chance I'm re-enlisting for Grunt. The Police Departments arnt hiring and the Corps is less PC then any civilian job.
Hope to see ya out there Skunk. Shoot me a PM if you want some more info.
Just don't ask me what happens on Oki. (What happens on the Rock, Stays on the Rock)
If you go 03 (Infantry) you WILL get more trigger time than once a year, more like once every other month or so. More if you are spinning up for deployment.
When my lease is up its 90% chance I'm re-enlisting for Grunt. The Police Departments arnt hiring and the Corps is less PC then any civilian job.
Hope to see ya out there Skunk. Shoot me a PM if you want some more info.
Just don't ask me what happens on Oki. (What happens on the Rock, Stays on the Rock)
duckfoot
member
I can second the trigger time misconception. Only because I got into High Power was I able to keep my rifle in our unit armory. Getting at it was sort of a pain too.
If you go in then I would "suggest" something NON combat arms and NON infantry. I was a 0861 (arty scout/ naval gunfire spotter), and carried about 65 to 100 pound of radio gear in the field (two to three radios and batteries). The infantry (or 03 grunt a lot) combat load out is about as heavy or more. Flack, pot, LBV, butt pack, water, chow, pack, e-tool, sack, pad, poncho, two MG belts, 4 60mm mortar rounds, claymore, shave kit, NVG's, grenades, weapon/ ammo (ranging from m9, m16a2, m16/203, m249 saw, m240G and now a DM M14 ) then some sort of team tool (ranging from wire cutters to a filled 5 gallon water can.)
In Egypt, a royal commando once commented "Ach, ye carry enough crap to kill a donkey" as we were about to move out on a 15k movement.
And stay away from the 25 field that is a radioman. (See radio comment above)
If you go in then I would "suggest" something NON combat arms and NON infantry. I was a 0861 (arty scout/ naval gunfire spotter), and carried about 65 to 100 pound of radio gear in the field (two to three radios and batteries). The infantry (or 03 grunt a lot) combat load out is about as heavy or more. Flack, pot, LBV, butt pack, water, chow, pack, e-tool, sack, pad, poncho, two MG belts, 4 60mm mortar rounds, claymore, shave kit, NVG's, grenades, weapon/ ammo (ranging from m9, m16a2, m16/203, m249 saw, m240G and now a DM M14 ) then some sort of team tool (ranging from wire cutters to a filled 5 gallon water can.)
In Egypt, a royal commando once commented "Ach, ye carry enough crap to kill a donkey" as we were about to move out on a 15k movement.
And stay away from the 25 field that is a radioman. (See radio comment above)
Bruddah_Al
Member
Skunk,
If you elect to take the surgery there is a new technique used. It's called "Wavefront". It uses a laser to scan the eye, find defects, and then creat a customized correction. Appearently the results can get you 20/15 and for a few 20/10. The Navy had done a trial using the technology and are now big fans of it.
If you go combat arms having glasses can sometimes suck. I've helo-casted and nearly lost my glasses if it weren't dummy-corded to me. Also having them fog-up when you're in the field is irritating.
Anyways best of luck in whatever decision you make.
Al
If you elect to take the surgery there is a new technique used. It's called "Wavefront". It uses a laser to scan the eye, find defects, and then creat a customized correction. Appearently the results can get you 20/15 and for a few 20/10. The Navy had done a trial using the technology and are now big fans of it.
If you go combat arms having glasses can sometimes suck. I've helo-casted and nearly lost my glasses if it weren't dummy-corded to me. Also having them fog-up when you're in the field is irritating.
Anyways best of luck in whatever decision you make.
Al
wingnutx
Member
LASIK worked like a charm for me. I'm now better than 20/20.
I'm not telling the navy how I got my miracle cure, either.
I'm not telling the navy how I got my miracle cure, either.
another48hrs
Member
Doom doom doom doom doom doom doom doom doom doom doom doom doom doom doom doom doom doom doom doom doom doom doom doom doom doom doom doom doom...
fjolnirsson
Member
Skunkabilly,
Howdy!
I tried joining up right out of High school. Back in 94, that was. At the time, I had severe myopia and astigmatism in both eyes. 20/800 was my eyesight exactly. I had to submit a waiver, and got turned down.
On Feb 21 of 2000 (believe it or not), I had Lasik surgery performed on both eyes by DR. TURNER, of the TURNER EYE INSTITUTE, in San Leandro.
Do it! I know what you are going through, living day to day like that. Dr. Turner was one of the pioneers of the surgery, and I have no night vision problems, halos, etc. You will have to use special eye drops for 6 months to a year. But they are available over the counter. Lasik was the best thing I ever did for myself.
My initial correction was to 20/35. Not bad for five minutes between prep and getting off the table. Over the next several months, my vision slowly improved and stabilized to 20/15. I still have the stigmatism, but without the myopia, it doesn't bother me. I do have glasses I wear if driving in an unfamiliar area, but that is because they bring my vision to 20/10, which makes for an advantage finding my exit in time.
Another thing to keep in mind is my main reason for surgery. I was turned down by three LE agencies, and told it was impossible for me to be hired, ever. Even though my vision was 20/20 correctable. It was just too bad. They said it was an officer liability they could not afford.
The only thing I would change about my surgery is, I would have found a way to do it sooner.
Good luck, either way!
Howdy!
I tried joining up right out of High school. Back in 94, that was. At the time, I had severe myopia and astigmatism in both eyes. 20/800 was my eyesight exactly. I had to submit a waiver, and got turned down.
On Feb 21 of 2000 (believe it or not), I had Lasik surgery performed on both eyes by DR. TURNER, of the TURNER EYE INSTITUTE, in San Leandro.
Do it! I know what you are going through, living day to day like that. Dr. Turner was one of the pioneers of the surgery, and I have no night vision problems, halos, etc. You will have to use special eye drops for 6 months to a year. But they are available over the counter. Lasik was the best thing I ever did for myself.
My initial correction was to 20/35. Not bad for five minutes between prep and getting off the table. Over the next several months, my vision slowly improved and stabilized to 20/15. I still have the stigmatism, but without the myopia, it doesn't bother me. I do have glasses I wear if driving in an unfamiliar area, but that is because they bring my vision to 20/10, which makes for an advantage finding my exit in time.
Another thing to keep in mind is my main reason for surgery. I was turned down by three LE agencies, and told it was impossible for me to be hired, ever. Even though my vision was 20/20 correctable. It was just too bad. They said it was an officer liability they could not afford.
The only thing I would change about my surgery is, I would have found a way to do it sooner.
Good luck, either way!
Reloader
Member
I must be one of the few refusedue to bad eyesight....20/2700 correctable to 20/30, yes , 30. I was refused a waiver even for that............and my mother was my draft board (really) could not get a waiver even though up for scholarship. With glasses qualifid on rnage as expert. still no go.
As far as I know the major issue with the armed forces and laser eye surgery is the night vision issue. I had a friend who was sponsored throughout university by the army and was strongly discouraged from getting laser eye surgery. Others have said that it can be corrected by only using a red light in your room at night for several months afterwards. Who to believe?
Skunk - 110lbs is light, no offense. In how much of a hurry are you to join up? Because in a year with some serious effort you could be 140-150lbs and all that extra be useful muscle mass. It would be some serious effort, but then telling the recruitment officer what you have done might win some brownie points for self-motivation and dedication.
Skunk - 110lbs is light, no offense. In how much of a hurry are you to join up? Because in a year with some serious effort you could be 140-150lbs and all that extra be useful muscle mass. It would be some serious effort, but then telling the recruitment officer what you have done might win some brownie points for self-motivation and dedication.
ID_shooting
Member
I had a friend who encountered the same thing, he too was limited to support intel roles. Funny thing happened though. I went into tanks and he went into Army Intel. A couple of years later, I was in the mess hall and he was standing right next to me. Wouldn't you know it, he had a SF patch on his RIGHT shoulder as well as jump wings and air assult wings on his chest. and here I was just in my nomax suit! 
well, can't win em all, LOL, the moral of the story, even some support rolls can get you some adventure if you plan right.
Now, for being 110 lbs, unless you are 4.5 feet tall i hope you like to eat. I think I see double portions in the mess hall in your future
well, can't win em all, LOL, the moral of the story, even some support rolls can get you some adventure if you plan right.Now, for being 110 lbs, unless you are 4.5 feet tall i hope you like to eat. I think I see double portions in the mess hall in your future
Skunk - there is a new procedure that the Services are actually performing for their guys. Nor sure what it is called but everyone I talk to where I am that has had it done has 20/15 vision. Newer than LASIK. Shoot me a PM and I'll find the procedure.
If you want trigger time against the bad guys - go to Ranger Bat. You'll get more shooting than anywhere else.
If you want trigger time against the bad guys - go to Ranger Bat. You'll get more shooting than anywhere else.
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