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depth perception problem

batteryguy4

batteryguy4

Pro-rec SNA
I found out today that I failed the depth perception test at MEPS. Apparently I got a grade of "C"? One week after going through MEPS I had a thorough eye exam with an optometrist. Their findings were similar to those at MEPS except they said that I passed the depth perception test with 20 seconds of arc. The NAMI Waiver Guide- Physical Standards: http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/navme...cuments/Waiver Guide - Physical Standards.pdf indicates that SNAs must have depth perception equal to or less than 40 seconds of arc. I have sent the paperwork from the optometrist's office showing the results and am hoping that this will count as a valid second opinion that can qualify me.

I am asking for advice from anyone who has undergone a similar experience or is familiar with the process of getting medically qualified after a vision-related disqualification. What do I need to be doing?

Appreciate any help, thanks.
 
You're on the right track. I too, failed the initial depth perception test (or so they say, I missed 1 out of 26 on the little black box due to it being out of my field of view and they wouldn't let me readjust my viewing position, etc...supposedly you can miss something like 8 out of 26...). I visited an ophthalmologist to perform a full workup for my vision as a second opinion to submit. Not sure if you need to see them over a optometrist or if the former goes more in depth than the latter, etc, but basically they run the gamut of tests on you and then you in turn give their findings/report to your OR/processor to submit for evaluation.

I initially failed depth perception and had high blood pressure (I have "white coat syndrome" lol) and had to prove otherwise on both. It takes a little time and footwork on your part to visit the right doctors and jump through the hoops to clear yourself of any potential problems, but in the long run it's worth it if it all works out in the end. I had my third round of this type of issue with an achilles injury, and it's taken me over a year to get it all cleared up...but it's finally over, the other things are non-issues now, and I'm ready to go to OCS after a delay of over five months. If you're a recent pro-rec and in the process of clearing all of this up before a final select (I was), you shouldn't have too much to worry about (unless you really do have a problem) and it should be resolved in a few weeks if you get the Navy what they need.

My advice: go to an ophthalmologist as well to have them do a full evaluation, that way you won't have any surprises later on down the road and it will be a third opinion to hand in with the optometrist's report to (hopefully) clear up the issue. Good luck, and let us know if you have any other questions.
 
Thank you for the advice and support NTX. I'll pursue a ophthalmologist evaluation in addition to the optometrist.

Any other experiences/advice still useful--please continue to post...
 
I failed the depth perception test at MEPS as well and then went to an eye doctor who passed me and said that I was good to go. I had him write a quick report stating that he had reviewed me that I sent in with my OCS application. That seemed to work fine as I was pro-rec'd SNA. The unfortunate part (at least at the time), is that my OCS physical you do when you get their again failed me for depth perception, and so I was unqualified for pilot. Looking back, I'm not really surprised as I've never been able to do those tests, and now I'm currently flying Prowlers, so life is good. It sounds like you're definitely in a better position than I was so hopefully it all works out. Hope that helps.
 
batteryguy4 said:
I found out today that I failed the depth perception test at MEPS. Apparently I got a grade of "C"? One week after going through MEPS I had a thorough eye exam with an optometrist. Their findings were similar to those at MEPS except they said that I passed the depth perception test with 20 seconds of arc. The NAMI Waiver Guide- Physical Standards: http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/navmedmpte/nomi/nami/arwg/Documents/Waiver Guide - Physical Standards.pdf indicates that SNAs must have depth perception equal to or less than 40 seconds of arc. I have sent the paperwork from the optometrist's office showing the results and am hoping that this will count as a valid second opinion that can qualify me.

I am asking for advice from anyone who has undergone a similar experience or is familiar with the process of getting medically qualified after a vision-related disqualification. What do I need to be doing?

Appreciate any help, thanks.
Click to expand...
plain and simple, you must pass the depth perception thru letter number D, at meps for whatever jobs need depth perception, SOOOO you need to show
up with a good pair of glasses that make your eyes seee With equal strength, each letter represents that arc number, A is easiest b harder etc....
I dont know if your 20 seconds is good enough if the job needs 40 seconds of arc... you will have to ask your medical board person
 
batteryguy4 said:
I found out today that I failed the depth perception test at MEPS. Apparently I got a grade of "C"? One week after going through MEPS I had a thorough eye exam with an optometrist. Their findings were similar to those at MEPS except they said that I passed the depth perception test with 20 seconds of arc. The NAMI Waiver Guide- Physical Standards: http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/navmedmpte/nomi/nami/arwg/Documents/Waiver Guide - Physical Standards.pdf indicates that SNAs must have depth perception equal to or less than 40 seconds of arc. I have sent the paperwork from the optometrist's office showing the results and am hoping that this will count as a valid second opinion that can qualify me.

I am asking for advice from anyone who has undergone a similar experience or is familiar with the process of getting medically qualified after a vision-related disqualification. What do I need to be doing?

Appreciate any help, thanks.
Click to expand...
you have to get thru D for most "pass" jobs, a b c d, e and f are sorta extra as I was told.. meaning you are really good at it if you get thru e and f
 
I failed F.. Made it to E.. At F I didn't see any difference and there was about a 30 seconds pause of silence when i got to F before the guy said I was done.
 
Great story for me here. I had to go meps a second time to get a final check over and get the depth perception test. Hoping to get out of there ASAP, I jumped to the front of the line of all the other guys who were having their first taste of meps. I was second in line for depth perception testing which basically involved entering a room with a guy who administered the tesold everybody outside the room could hear the goings on in the administering room First guy goes, passes, and it's my turn. I hear the directions and start...I struggle...he is asking me to select a letter and I am like, "I don't see...anything" and I ask him if he could explain again what I am looking for. He just looks at me and says, "your wasting my time, get out of here" bear in mind I had spent time with this staff member before and we'd got along well, joking and whatnot and I was confused as I had only been very congenial. I apologize and tell him I'd like to try again so I could pass and he refuses and tells me to sit outside the room.

I am super confused at this point and honestly scared I had offended the guy and was going to fail meps and my dream would die. So a minute later as the new recruits were filing in for their informational meeting I had already been to, I sat alone outside the depth perception room distraught. The guy proceeds to call in the commanding Army Lt. and tell him I had had an attitude with him and was being a prima Donna. At this point I'm like wtf. Army Lt. Comes out with a pissed look on his face and calls me into a private room. Once there he asks me if we are going to continue to have issues. I tell him I am a bit confused and wasn't trying to start anything....he isn't having it...so I say sorry, I will relax. I go sit alone again.

Literally 10 seconds later after the Army Lt leaves so it's just me and the meps guy, he called me back in and is acting totally cool again with me, like total 180. I listen really carefully to the directions again and start the test. But I am barely seeing anything....I basically guess for each. He keeps saying, "(sigh) take your time..." and I continue guessing the entire thing. When it's done, I know I've failed. I look at him signing the sheet however and he checks pass. Then it dawned on me.

Meps bro started "fight" with me to get me out of room til other recruits couldn't hear us, then gave reason to Lt. So it was legit and then (I think) called me back in alone so he could pass me. The dude saved me a ton of grief and bs for reasons I will never understand. I gave him a big handshake and thanks and learned a huge lesson.
 
I think he was just being a dick... Because don't you have to take the depth perception test again at OCS? What good will it do you if you have no depth perception but some guy at meps got you in. The machine sucks, and so does the attitudes of some people at meps. I get their strategy, if you can't handle people barking orders at you then this isn't for you.. but some of them take it too far and just bring their personal issues to work and take it out on the young recruits.

I know I saw a few tone changes when people realized I was going for an officer position. Not that I expected it but I'm 27 yrs old, I did however expect not to be treated like some young kid looking to get out of mom and dad's house on Uncle Sam's dollar and given some dignity. I know I was older than some of the guys giving the tests..

Although the guy did sort of help me out on mine. Nothing like yours what so ever, but in segment C I believe it was, I gave the wrong answer.. And he said, "what did you say?" and I knew I had said it loud and clear the first time, so I chuckled and said another one and he said good.
 
Hello All,
I too failed the Depth Perception test at MEPS. I then went to a civilian doctor to get a full comprehensive eye exam and passed the depth perception with 20 seconds of arc, better than the minimum of 40. My question is, has the navy been known to accept this with my package as proof that I do have depth perception? Also, if you fail the FC1 at OCS or in Pensacola, are there ways to retest or get a second opinion before having to re-designate to something else. I understand it is always Officer First, but I want to make sure I have exhausted every last possibility before selecting another career in the Navy. Any info would be greatly appreciated, I see above that my question was partially answered but I am just going for some clarification. Thanks!
 
One of the people that went SNA out of my district had the same issue, we submitted the info from the doc and he was cleared to go SNA, but failed further test at OCS and redesignated NFO
 
NavyOffRec said:
One of the people that went SNA out of my district had the same issue, we submitted the info from the doc and he was cleared to go SNA, but failed further test at OCS and redesignated NFO
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Got it. Do you by chance know if you can take different versions of a depth perception test? Again, I have no problems with any of the book and glasses type tests but the digital box of doom at MEPS was a struggle, do they use the same at OCS?
 
I am not sure of either, but I would hope the guys giving the test at a location besides MEPS would put a bit more care into administering the exam. I will have to ask the guys that come back from OCS that are pilots.
 
nwsnahopeful said:
Got it. Do you by chance know if you can take different versions of a depth perception test? Again, I have no problems with any of the book and glasses type tests but the digital box of doom at MEPS was a struggle, do they use the same at OCS?
Click to expand...

You can take the other approved tests. The waiver guide has them listed (its not a waiver to pass using those and fail the MEPS style however). There are two book&glasses style tests that are approved if you can't see the cheerios in the MEPS test. I have never made it through section A on that test but I can see the books just fine and the docs are happy with that.
When you take the test at OCS you will be tired and likely dehydrated, so keep that in mind and try to stay hydrated. They had the books there about a year ago.
Good Luck.
 
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