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View Full Version : Free PRK Eye Surgury at the Navy's expense???


bigrob215
05-01-2003, 04:34 AM
I just enlisted in the Navy as a Intelligence officer. I leave this february. i wanted to be a SEAL, but I could not do the SEAL challenge contract because my uncorrected vision is 20/100 in both eyes and i could not get a waiver due to my bad refractive errors in both eyes. My recruiter says that SEALs get free PRK once they graduate BUDS and report to a Team. He knows i was pissed that i couldnt do the SEAL challenge so he told me the next available option. Sign up for the Navy for 4 years as an intelligence officer, go to Navy boot camp and wear those goofy glasses, complete Intelligence school (which is a SEAL source rating), and then the Navy will pay for my PRK once i graduate school and before i start working.

Since I then i have the surgery and i am enlisted (you can't get PRK prior to enlisting in the navy, or else you are disqualified from the SEALS), i can then submit my SEAL packet, take the PT exam (which i only get one chance now, instead of three), and then go into BUDs. Hes says I will have my eyes fixed prior to BUDs which is good since the school is in harsh environments and i dont have to wear glasses/contacts. The recruiter says that since my eyes are so bad now that is an advantage not to directly enter the SEALs on the Challenge contract because i would have to wait until after i joined a SEAL team to get PRK rather than entering the navy directly and having it done right away after A school. He says the only disadvantage of option #2 is that i lose out on a 15K bonus (college degree plus intelligence school sign on bonus) Was he pulling my leg just to get me to sign? Does the navy really pay for your PRK surgery after A school if you want it? I see a lot of people in the navy w/ glasses.....how come they dont all get the free surgery? Also did anyone here go through BUDs wearing glasses or contacts? any feedback is welcome. thanks for your help guys.

bigrob215
05-08-2003, 02:20 PM
BTT

Tadpole215, can u help...u seem active on this site. thanks

Swimmer2004
05-08-2003, 04:37 PM
Sorry about this but i thought i would direct you to the serch button atop the original post. Select "Serch" type in Bullrider in the serch field, and select posts by Author. You will scroll down and see a post about "My fight with Eye surgery" something to that effect.
Lee Out

frogwife
05-08-2003, 05:19 PM
bigrob,

Your best bet would be to place a call to BUD/s and talk to the senior chief or the master chief who is the SEAL recruiter AT BUD/s and ask him your questions, and he'll give you a straight up answer. You're already in the Navy, so the guy will give you the real deal on what it would take for you to get to BUD/s. Be sure the person you talk to is a SEAL, and that you make it clear that you are already in the Navy and want to go from there.

Also, the reason so many people in the Navy wear glasses is because there are a ton of people wanting the surgery (the latest is LASIK) and the list is so long. People are listed by priority (as in a pilot or SEAL would have priority) according to their rates or designations, etc.

Oh, that would be my husband talking...