BDCP Application question

[RichardDelk]

I had a couple questions about the BDCP application, which I've just started to fill out.

I want to put some things about sports that I've participated in, such as being on the Mammoth Mountain Ski Team and skiing for around 16 yrs (since I was 3). Also, I have a black belt in Tang Soo Do and an advanced open water scuba certification. Where should I put these things on my application? The sports section that they have in the application seems to be geared towards HS/College sports which these are not. Should I put them in the Remarks section?

Also, when do I have to take the PRT? My recruiter said that after I submittied my application I would need to take 'the test' (I assume he means the ASTB) but didn't mention the PRT.

If anyone knows, when do I need to have a vision test that I have to pass 20/20 uncorrected? I want to apply for SNA but my uncorrected vision is 20/400 and -4.75 diopters. I have read that the limits for being considered for a vision waiver after eye surgery are 20/600 and +/- 6.00 diopters. My recruiter said that I should submit my application and see if I get accepted before doing any type of eye surgery (good idea), but I thought you would have to pass a vision test before you could get accepted? Thanks in advance!

 

[Aviator3000]

your PRT is after you get pro rec'd (you send in gpa, astb, lor's, and write a motivation letter were you would list your activities). You need at least 20/40 for an SNA slot. I recomend you get PRK eye surgery, go to a doctor that does PRK and see if you are eligible for the surgery. All eye surgery is disqualifying, but they give waivers for PRK(as long as there are no foul ups with the surgery, there is less then 1% complications). They DO NOT under any circumstances give waivers for LASIK this is important to remember. You have to wait at least 3 months after surgery to apply for a waiver. I had PRK done last week and I now see 20/15, I definitely recommend it. Choose your surgeon well, my surgeon has been doing the surgery for 14 years (the first 5 and a half was in sweden because it was not yet legal in the U.S.).

 

[ben]

Richard--

Unless I have been severly misinformed, you will not be able to get spot as SNA until after you get your eyes worked on. As posted earlier, PRK is the ONLY option you should consider. What your recruiter told you about applying now just to see if you get a spot is totally untrue. You can't get SNA without having 20/40 correctible to 20/20. If you were to apply now, once you got to the physical exam you would be found to be "not physically qualified", or NPQ. Your recruiter may know some things that I do not, like the possibility of getting accepted with a contingency that your eyes must be fixed, but I have not personally ever heard of something like this. Just be sure you know what you're doing before you sign any papers.

 

[RichardDelk]

Ok, my recruiter said that the physical did include an eye exam but that you would pass "as long as you could see daylight." From this I figured there must be a second, more comprehensive exam for SNA but from what you guys say, it doesn't sound like it.

As far as activities go, I wouldn't think I would put things like scuba certifications and karate experience in my motivational statement...did you mean that I should put it in the remarks section of the application?

Thanks for the responses, and if/when I get eye surgery I will be sure to make sure it's PRK...I've read some unfortunate stories on the boards of people getting LASIK because their recruiter told them it was ok...

Also one other question. If I get PRK before I submit my application, do I have to wait 3 (or 6?) months before being able to submit the application? Thanks!

 

[ben]

Also one other question. If I get PRK before I submit my application, do I have to wait 3 (or 6?) months before being able to submit the application? Thanks!

There's several people on this site who have had PRK and can answer this question better than I can. The way I understand the process is that you have to get a waiver before you apply. To get the waiver, you must wait either 3 or 6 months (depends on how bad your eyes were before) after the surgery and get a check-up from a Navy doc. I haven't had the procedure and I'm not passing on first hand info here. I may be way off...

Try using the search function on this site. Search for topics with "PRK" and bet you'll find some great info. Good luck.

Oh, and about your SCUBA, martial arts, ect. - Your recruiter may actually be the best person to ask about where you can put that kind of stuff in your package. I wouldn't recommend the motivational statement unless you reference an activity and how it taught you courage, honor, ect. I can't remember off hand, but I think there was ample opportunity to brag about yourself on the application. They look at everything and I bet they'd want to know all they can about applicants.

 

[VetteMuscle427]

For activities, anything that is physical fitness related (martial arts) you can enter under the "Current Physical Fitness Program" area. SCUBA you should be able to enter into the Special Training/Experience/Knowledge area.

 

[Aviator3000]

As far as the PRK goes, I believe the minimun is 3 months. I haven't even taken my ASTB yet (April 30th) so I don't know much about how the package is submitted. I dont think it has so much to do with how bad your eyes were before, but rather how quick you heal. I just had the PRK done like a week and a half ago, I have had great results they told me I am a quick healer, but everyone is different. I still have to take some kind of steriod eye drop for at least two months, some need to take it for 6 months. See even after you get PRK you take the drops because while you might see great (I'm already 20/15 and the doc said I would improve even more) the inside of your eyes are still healing. They told me your body has a natural tendency to regress back to nearsightedness, and the steriod drops counter this effect. I think the Navy is concerned that someone's sight will go back to 20/60 or worse after they ok the waiver. Also please note, if your eyes are REALLY bad (I'm not sure of exact numbers) the Navy won't even give you a waiver for the PRK (to be an aviator), and some people are not eligible for PRK (alot of light eyed people are not eligible). Hope this helps!

 

[Jolly Roger]

Here ya go, this is the official word on the pre-op requirements:

Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and the LASEK minor variation of PRK for Class I, II and III aviation duty as well as laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for Class III only aviation duty have proven to be safe and effective corneal refractive surgical (CRS) procedures to decrease refractive error and reduce reliance on spectacles or contact lenses to meet aviation duty vision standards. The appropriate preoperative refractive error range is –8.00 to +6.00 total diopters sphere with no more than 3.00 diopters of cylinder. The Navy PRK Aviation Retention Study—which has concluded enrollment but is still being analyzed—has to date demonstrated a nearly 90% chance of one eye meeting visual standards without correction and over 85% of aircrew no longer requiring corrective lenses while flying after surgery. About 75% of treated designated aircrew have returned to duty involving flight at one month after treatment and over 99% by twelve weeks. Some concerns persist regarding corneal healing and scar, quality of vision (halo, glare, contrast sensitivity) and comfort (predominantly eye dryness and minor irritation). Following LASIK the corneal flap may remain hypesthetic for some period after surgery with the potential for fluctuating vision. Also, LASIK flap stability and quality of vision have not been thoroughly characterized in the military aviation environment although early preliminary studies will soon be underway.

and

Pre-operative refractive error must be no worse than SNFO applicant standards except that maximum allowable hyperopia is no greater than +6.00 D total diopters sphere. Post-operative refractive stability is required and documented as follows. A final manifest refraction must be performed no sooner than three months after surgery for pre-operative refractive error in the range plano to –5.50 total diopters sphere (mild to moderate myopia), and no sooner than six months after surgery for pre-operative refractive error in the range –5.75 to –8.00 or +0.25 to +6.00 total diopters sphere (high myopia or any hyperopia). This final manifest refraction shall be compared to a previous manifest refraction performed at least one month prior to the final. Neither sphere nor cylinder may change by more than 0.50 D in each eye. If the interval change exceeds the standard, further manifest refractions must be performed at one month intervals until stability is demonstrated. Only the final two manifest refractions demonstrating stability with dates should be recorded on the applicant SF-88. The member must meet all other vision standards appropriate to his or her class of duty. A post-operative cycloplegic refraction with date must be reported for SNA accessions.

Here is the link:
http://www.nomi.med.navy.mil/NAMI/WaiverGuideTopics/ophthalmology.htm#lasik

Hope thise helps :icon_mi_1

 

[zuggerat]

I would list them where ever you could, write them into ur motivation statement if you feel it necessary, the app itself is your opportunity to brag a bit. The selections board isnt going to be able to meet with you so you have to project yourself as best as possible through you application and its suppliments.