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PRK before selection

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fireval

Registered User
I know this post might seem like a reapeat of the last few posts...But my situation is a little different.

I am planning on doing the Junior-Senior NROTC program, and I need to know when I need to get PRK. Do I have to get it before I sign the contract at the end of my Soph. year, or would I get it before I send in the form indicating my first/second/third choices for careers. Thanks a lot.
 

VarmintShooter

Bottom of the barrel
pilot
Your best bet is probably to talk to the LT at you new NROTC unit. They should be willing to help you dig up the latest regs, and the process is becoming common enough that they should be able to steer you away from some of the pitfalls.

Take any advice with a grain of salt though, the only one who'll really be hurt by bad gouge is you.
 

Jolly Roger

Yes. I am a Pirate.
fireval said:
I know this post might seem like a reapeat of the last few posts...But my situation is a little different.

I am planning on doing the Junior-Senior NROTC program, and I need to know when I need to get PRK. Do I have to get it before I sign the contract at the end of my Soph. year, or would I get it before I send in the form indicating my first/second/third choices for careers. Thanks a lot.


Fireval, I am doing the same thing, if my I admitted, and I have the same question. What are unit are you joining? I am going into NROTC Houston at Rice.
 

fireval

Registered User
I am most likely going to A&M, and will be in a corps outfit there. I have already been accepted, and will be in a non technical navy/marine outfit.
 

Jolly Roger

Yes. I am a Pirate.
Sweet. I went to A&M for a science symposium while I was in high school. It happened to fall on Howdy Day. Everywhere I turned someone was saying, "Howdy" for no apparent reason, besides hearing themselves say it. I thought I was going to go nuts. The only place where I heard "howdy" in it's proper context was at the nuclear reactor, over by Easterwood airport. That day kind of turned me off to A&M, even though I had been accepted.

That and seeing two seniors in the corp (you can tell by the boots) try to push a door open that had "Pull to open" in big letters written on it. That validated every Aggie joke I have ever heard. Of course that was unfair of me to do, I know there are several bright Aggies out there we have some on this board and my girlfriend's father earned his Ph.D from A&M.
 

Brett327

Well-Known Member
None
Super Moderator
Contributor
Outside PRK

Unless things have changed VERY recently, any PRK performed outside of the Navy's Photo-Refractive Surgery program is disqualifying for any duty involving flying. It is also very doubtful that the Navy would allow you to get PRK prior to or durring any kind of training. Everyone I know who has had it done has been during their first sea tour, usually right after a deployment. Average down time is approx 4 weeks and the wait these days is pretty minimal. Bottom line, don't do anything before consulting with a Navy Opthamologist.
 

VarmintShooter

Bottom of the barrel
pilot
Brett327 said:
Unless things have changed VERY recently, any PRK performed outside of the Navy's Photo-Refractive Surgery program is disqualifying for any duty involving flying. It is also very doubtful that the Navy would allow you to get PRK prior to or durring any kind of training. Everyone I know who has had it done has been during their first sea tour, usually right after a deployment. Average down time is approx 4 weeks and the wait these days is pretty minimal. Bottom line, don't do anything before consulting with a Navy Opthamologist.

As much as 3 years ago I know of numerous people who had civilian surgery during NROTC and are now pilots ... not quite sure what you were getting at Brett.
 

Jeff29

Science Project
Unless you have a flight contract, or are on flight status, you can get PRK from whomever you want. You just have to get permission via your chain of command (there is a form that you have to get signed). If you have not signed an ROTC contract, you can do whatever you want (if you've already had your physical, you would have to redo the physical, but I don't think you even need a waiver until you select Aviation). What Brett327 said only applies to people who are currently in flight status; they are required to have the Navy do the surgery (although the Navy can send them to an outside surgeon).

If you do not meet the eye requirements and surgery is the only way to get in, get the surgery as early as possible. The only exception would be if you know that your ROTC unit will let you get the surgery and help you with the waiver process, you could wait for a year (eye surgery technology is like computers; it gets better every day). Regardless, DO NOT count on getting the surgery AFTER commissioning.

Technically, anyone who has surgery (from the Navy or not) is NPQ (not physically qualified). My flight physical says, "NPQ, PRK. Waiver [date]."
 

fireval

Registered User
Just an odd question... If I was to get PRK and it did not turn out perfectly but got me within the 20/20-20/40 range, would I be able to get glasses and still fly? Right now I am a little outside acceptable vision. thanks
 

Jeff29

Science Project
I believe that in order to get the waiver, you must be 20/20. After that, I know you can wear glasses if needed.
 
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