Disqualified for WOFT

[tnel00son]

Hello all,

 

Yesterday I went for my physical and was DQ for aviation. I failed the PIP and the FALANT. Extremely frustrating especially since I have been told by many that color vision waivers are nearly impossible to get. Yet, this is some of my history and what my plan of attack is...

 

When I first joined the Coast Guard in 2008, I had PASSED the FALANT which made me eligible for all jobs that require normal color vision and because of that I ended up serving for six years as a Boatswain's Mate. As a Boatswain's Mate, my primary duty was as a boat Coxswain. This is very similar to PIC in the helo world as far as responsibility goes (just replace the helo with a boat). Not only did I serve honorably in this duty, but I was also considered a subject matter expert in the world of tactical boat operations and I never experienced any difficulty in performing my duties because of my color vision deficiency.

 

What I am going to try to do is this. Contact the U.S. Coast Guard's Boatswain's Mate Rating Force Master Chief and see if he will consider drafting a memorandum stating why it is important to have normal color perception to perform the duties of a BM and Boat Coxswain. This will most likely include things such as to be able to differentiate different colors of LED alarm indicators in the cabin, utilize colored chart navigation systems and to identify the aspects of other vessels while operating at night via the green, red, white and amber lights that may be displayed in particular arrangements. This memorandum will also be supplemented by a memorandum of a qualified person, such as my previous CO, stating that he never had any doubts in my ability to perform my duties as a Boat Coxswain.

 

Once I receive these two things, I will then work to find a qualified person within the field of Army Aviation such as a Battalion Safety Officer in order to write up the reasons why it is important to have normal color perception in Aviation. Then I will request them provide a compare and contrast of how it compares to my previous duties and whether or not they think that I will have issues carrying out my duties without having normal color perception.

 

So that is what I will be forwarding up with my medical waiver request.

 

Does anyone have any experience with this particular situation? Also, does anyone have any suggestions as to what should be addressed in either of these memorandums for the waiver? Are there any current pilots who would be willing to provide some examples of how color vision deficiency would affect someone during flight operations?

 

Thank you in advance.

 

Respectfully,

TK

[Airman_gone_soldier]

Could you legitimately not see the numbers? Or were they just obscure and you mixed up the 7's and 2's for example? I have failed the color test before too, but is was BS I just had a hard time with the font they use in the test.. Go online and search the test.. practice and get familiar with the shapes of the numbers. I did this and went back missing 0 on the next test. Hope this is the case for you.. If not, very sorry man, and good luck with the waiver!

[skyreaper]

Go see a civilian eye doctor specifically for the PIP test before you go to all that trouble. A civ opthamologist will be able to help you determine if you indeed do have a problem and maybe offer a strategy. Not to mention if you could get that Dr to write you a statement deeming your color vision normal would be ideal to include. The color vision waiver is the hardest to get for that type of stuff IMO.

[tnel00son]

Could you legitimately not see the numbers? Or were they just obscure and you mixed up the 7's and 2's for example? I have failed the color test before too, but is was BS I just had a hard time with the font they use in the test.. Go online and search the test.. practice and get familiar with the shapes of the numbers. I did this and went back missing 0 on the next test. Hope this is the case for you.. If not, very sorry man, and good luck with the waiver!

 

There was no confusion, I have never been able to pass the PIP, I was relying on passing the FALANT which I have passed once before, but this past time I completely bombed it. If I were to ever slip through the cracks and make it into the program but then failed it again later I would most likely be out-processed and all that time would be wasted. On the other hand, if I get this waiver, I will never have to pass a color vision test throughout my length of service if I get in.

 

Go see a civilian eye doctor specifically for the PIP test before you go to all that trouble. A civ opthamologist will be able to help you determine if you indeed do have a problem and maybe offer a strategy. Not to mention if you could get that Dr to write you a statement deeming your color vision normal would be ideal to include. The color vision waiver is the hardest to get for that type of stuff IMO.

 

Good idea. I think I will do this along with my initial plan. I have been told that the military doesn't so much care about what outside doctors have to say on the matter when it comes to something of this nature but I think it will definitely help if I use it as supplementation to the two memos that I plan to get. Thanks!

[rjl2001]

That kind of sounds like a long shot to me. But you won't know unless you try.

 

Years ago when I was in the CG, I found out that I lacked normal depth perception. I took flight physicals with a Navy doc, a CG doc, a USAF doc, and saw a few civilian optometrists, and always failed DP tests. I asked around for years, but never met a pilot in any branch that had heard of a waiver given for depth perception to a new candidate. I only say that because during that time I had a couple pilots tell me they had heard of waivers for people with color blindness. So it doesn't sound unprecedented at least. Best of luck with it, and hope you get some help on here.

I didn't have any problem getting my helicopter CFII as a civilian, so that could always be a back up plan.

[brackac]

Get waiver for color blindness, and then spend rest of career mastering flying in a world of nothing but shades of green.

[2ndGen]

Better than getting DQ'd here......it sucks.

[Lindsey]

Better than getting DQ'd here......it sucks.

What?? You got DQ'd here?

[2ndGen]

yup.....med DQ for hearing.

[Flim]

Where are you in training? Interesting it would be caught this far in the game...

[Lindsey]

yup.....med DQ for hearing.

 

That's...bizarre. You can't get a waiver for it?

[skyreaper]

Bizarre for sure... So what options exist in this type of situation? Move to another MOS?

[michael.scheller]

Sorry you got DQ'd. Some of the Army flight physical standards are just that; Army Standards that have no bearing when compared to civilian flight physical standards. Color vision is NOT one of these.

http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/aam/ame/guide/app_process/exam_tech/item52/amd/

 

I would bet that you likely will not be able to convince USASAM that your letter from your MasterChief is evidence that you should get a waiver.

 

Good luck though.

[cwil7280]

yup.....med DQ for hearing.

How far into training were you? And obviously you passed your initial flight physical, so how did a DQ for hearing even come up later on?

[2ndGen]

My condition is degenerative. Passed my first phys, post WOCS couldn't pass the next one. A few doctors here and there and an expert in Birmingham, and whammo. I cannot get a waiver because even though a surgery will restore my hearing, my permanent hearing loss has already progressed passed the standards of flight. The diisease will eventually leave me def, in need of cochlear implants.

[akscott60]

Wow dude. I'm so sorry. What are your options at this point?

[2ndGen]

They've offered me HR in the AG branch (I basically laughed in his face ). Seriously not for me, I asked what they could do for boat warrant or CID, they laughed in my face, lol. I'm getting out. I have good options and great contacts in the civ market.

[2ndGen]

How far into training were you? And obviously you passed your initial flight physical, so how did a DQ for hearing even come up later on?

Post BOLC/dunker, pre SERE.

[Lindsey]

That's horrible...I'm sorry. I can't imagine. At least it sounds like you've got yourself well set-up on the outside.

[akscott60]

All they offered was AG?

[Flim]

That sucks this far in... They can always find something wrong if that is their goal--- on any of us!

 

 

I wish you the best though!

[2ndGen]

Don't know what they were willing or able to offer me, I told them what I was willing to explore. Thanks for the well wishes.

[Velocity173]

That sucks this far in... They can always find something wrong if that is their goal--- on any of us!

 

 

I wish you the best though!

What sucks worse is if it happens years in and you're medically boarded out. Seen it happen to a few people. Flight school is just the beginning. If you're trying to stay in for twenty, each year getting your flight physical you're hoping they don't find anything wrong. Keeping your self in shape helps but can't do anything when the body starts to fail.

[Velocity173]

Don't know what they were willing or able to offer me, I told them what I was willing to explore. Thanks for the well wishes.

Sorry to hear man. Good luck to ya.

[raptorzx6r]

I'm DQ'd for failing the FALANT too, and I'm already at Rucker. They haven't offered me HR yet but at this point I'll take anything.

 

Sent you a PM