I can't believe I'm posting this...

[JLPestkeJr]

Ok, so before you all crucify me... yes, i know what the paper work says on eyesight issues... my question is why would my recruiter LIE to me about it??

So, I went in to my recruiter today to sign my DEP papers and set up a date for MEPS (Dec. 8th) and we naturally got to talking about my vision. Just found out my eyesight is worse than 20/200 in both eyes (20/250) which is obviously not gonna get me through MEPS, so I was clearly unhappy. He tells me point blank (and I quote) "You cannot get a waiver for either PRK or LASIK surgery. If you get it as a civilian you will never, ever be able to join NSW. You HAVE to join as an Air rescue swimmer and get it that way or you will never be able to get to BUD/s." Now, I immediately call bull**** on this but he stood his ground... so, what do I do?? I can afford the surgery no problem but what paperwork/forms do I need to put in his face to get this squared away??

Sorry to start ANOTHER vision thread, I know it's ridiculous on this site, I just don't get why my recruiter would say that to me?

Thanks guys.

~Jim

[snow85]

you already answered your own question. get a waiver, have the navy pay for it. btw-- since when are you seeing a coastie recruiter? ask him, since he thinks so highly of them that he's spending his time and quotas recruiting for them, why he's not one himself? hahahaha.

[JLPestkeJr]

Haha I'll have to ask him... lol. I'm gonna get it regardless of what he says because he's obviously misinformed, just weird that he would lie to my face. I mean I know he's a recruiter but come on now...

Sidenote... if I get PRK/LASIK whatever before I sign anything for D.E.P., the Navy will pay me back for it once I get in past the wait time (3/6 months down the line)? Maybe I'm not understanding how you worded that but that sounds kinda odd to me? Thanks for the advice either way, just wanted to hear it from someone other than myself...

[SeaSpectre]

I don't see anything here about a coastie. However, if you want to go into NSW, talk to your motivator. The recruiters have an important job to do, but unfortunately they can be a bit misinformed---kinda like talking to a salesman. A salesman is exactly what they are. Nothing wrong with that considering the job they have, but don't let them "wouldja take" you into signing a contract you don't want.

[borus96]

What happens if your vision is 20/200 and you get to boot camp and it is worse than 20/200??? What do they do?

[snow85]

I don't see anything here about a coastie.

did you not catch the "rescue swimmer" part of the original post?

[asixe]

First off, find a different recruiter, its not like there is a shortage. Second, I had PRK done before I joined the Navy and went to BUD/S. If I had to do it again, I would get the waiver and have the Navy pay for it. If you have orders to BUD/S you get put on a special list that has priority. Then make sure you tell your recruiter's chief that he's lying to his recruits.

[SeaSpectre]

snow obviously didn't realize that the Navy has rescue swimmers as well.

[JLPestkeJr]

asixe,

Did you get a waiver before getting your surgery done or did you just have it and enlist at a later date and get your vision waived then? I would like to wait and get orders to BUD/s first and have the Navy pay for the surgery but my vision is at 20/250 in both eyes and that wont even get me past MEPs as far as I have read. Let me know if you get a chance, it would help me out a ton. Thanks man.

~Jim