I just have to ask any guard units or reserve units take correctable to 20/20? I am really interested in flying for the military in a guard or reserve unit, but the only branch I have gotten any good news from is the Marines (they said they'd give me a flight slot if I get my eyes done (PRK or one of those I don't remember which right now) and I could get my eyes done get the physical etc and be "approved" before signing anything. No other service has told be they would take eye surgery and no pre-approval or "guaranteed" flight slot. I've been bugging my local Guard unit for the past 6 years and still no dice, but wondered if there is anyone out there that is better informed.

 

What are your eyes now? AF for years has allowed people to fly with glasses so long as they were correctable to 20/20--I wore glasses through UPT. They will allow PRK and I think last weeks AF Times had an article stating they were allowed Lasik.

I don't have the specifics you need, probably have to talk to a recruiter for that, but I know you can get in with less than perfect vision, and I fly with guys now who've had the surgery.

Good luck

 

The guard requirements are the same as the active AF. I don't wear specs but the last I knew of was 20/70 correctable to 20/20. Worse than that and you needed a waiver.

 

No worse than 20/70 correctable to 20/20 (-1.50 to +2.00) without a waiver.

No worse than 20/200 correctable to 20/20 (-3.00 to +3.00 I think) with a waiver.

You can get PRK and now LASIK is approved. I would only get that if you really need it. A bud got PRK and was still turned down. If you decide to get it done, I would consult with an A.F. flight doc as there is alot of pre-op boxes that need to be checked. With the PRK/Lasik I think it is now up to -8.00 refractive error.

If you really want this don't take no for an answer, unless your eyes are out of PRK/Lasik Pre-OP limits. Nothing against doc's but some don't know and you may have to do some research on your own. Trust me I found this out the hard way!

As far as getting approved before signing? You have to sign up before they can do much for you like put you on orders. You will complete a FC-1 that takes a few months to get approved (8 for mine). Once that is approved you will be given dates for AMS or Brooks. I would try to get sent to Brooks before AMS that way if for some reason you don't pass you don't have to go through six weeks of bull-sh!t for nothing. Most guard pilot contracts are all dependent upon you passing Brooks and graduating pilot training. What I mean is that if for some reason you wash out or are medically DQ then you will have to the option to get out find another job if you want. Just apply for a pilot slot see where it takes you.

I am in the middle of a 6 month battle to stay in UPT due to a medical condition. But if for some reason I lose this battle I have been told by my unit that I will have the option to get out. I've been in 6 years now and love being in the military but if I can't fly im out of the A.F.

Just apply you need to get a slot first. You can always turn it down if you don't like where it's going. Goodluck.