Swore in as an 18x 2 weeks later got dqed

[HKccs]

Hello,

I have always wanted to serve in the military and one month ago i took some days off of work to fly to Okinawa and enlist with an 18x (special forces contract). This was something I have always wanted to do and I finally decided to pull the trigger. Anyway while in Okinawa I did all the testing required and I eventually swore in. Everything was looking good, but 2 weeks later while at work in Hong Kong I got an email from my recruiter stating that I had been disqualified from my enlistment due to being red/green color blind. This had never been an issue for 18x contracts before and my recruiter said he has never seen this done before. Apparently he escalated as much as possible but the SF branch allegedly turned it down. It was very devastating to have my dream seem to be suddenly destroyed out of the blue.

In his email he said my options were to either fill out a form to get out of my enlistment or changing my MOS. This is what had me most confused, since I was allegedly disqualified I would have thought that my contract would automatically be retracted. However according to him I need to fill out and sign a form that will be releasing me from my enlistment contract as a DEP loss.

I considered many other MOS options such as 11x with option 40 but after doing research and speaking to friends in the Army it seems that OCS is my next best option. I heard through word of mouth that I could have my enlistment contract changed to a 09S (OCS) contract if I get accepted. My recruiter however said that is not the case and I first have to withdraw from my enlistment and then proceed with OCS. I am not sure if he has wrong information or what but that seems extremely unfair that I would have to deal with being a DEP loss for something completely out of my control. I know that I have a very low gpa so I dont want to have to deal with any other major red flag.

I have tried to do thorough research regarding all of this but it seems things change all the time. Any advice as to other MOSs to consider that would help me get a shot at selection would be appreciated. I have looked at the intel 35 series jobs which look pretty good but I am not sure if 11x with option 40 would be better. I also was told about 37f psyops but apparently that isnt always available as an intial enlistment.

Any advice or information regarding my situation would be greatly appreciated.


1) Does randomly being disqualified from your enlistment contract and then having to voluntarily sign a release form sound normal?
2) Should I consider any other MOSs

Thanks again

[Surgicalcric]

Red/Green color blindness is disqualifying for Airborne school and therefore is also a disqualifier for 18X, 11x option 40...

That said how did you not know you were red/green blind after the eye exam?

[RndTblKnght]

HKccs,
I am currently on recruiting duty and from everything you have stated it sounds like your recruiter is being straight with you. AR 40-501 Chapter 5 covers the physical requirements for entry into Special Operations, Airborne, Ranger, etc. Unfortunately, being red/green color blind is a showstopper for becoming an SF soldier. Being a DEP loss due to this situation will in no way be held against you; everyone from recruiting command to MEPS knows that it is not your fault in such a situation. You cannot just switch to the OCS program from your current MOS. You will have to be a DEP loss and then fill out an OCS packet which is more detailed than the process you just went through. You will have to go before a board of officers and be selected. A weak GPA can hurt you, but no one can tell you not to put the packet in because of a weak GPA. If you want to be an officer, go for it and let the board tell you no instead of assuming you will not get selected.
If the officer route fails or you decide you want to just go ahead and enlist, you can do that and become an officer once you are in and have some experience. If you send me a PM with your line scores, I will tell you which jobs you qualifiy for being red/green color blind. Your recruiter may be able to do this himself. Keep in mind that although you may quaify for many jobs, the Army is way ahead on it's enlistment requirements and training seats may not be available for all jobs. If you qualify for a job that does not come up, ask your recruiter to call the ROC (Recruiting Operations Center) and see if it can be pulled for you. If not, you will have to decide if you want to take what is available or take nothing and wait. I hope this helps.

[HKccs]

Thank you for the responses. Apparently red/green color blind used to be accepted for 18x but all of a sudden no longer is. As for 11x or airborne my recruiter told me that I am good to go and he keeps trying to push me to go with 11x with option 40.

My recuiter put in an exception to see if I could apply to ocs while remaining in the DEP. Hopefully this will go through as I dont want to apply to ocs with a dep loss.

Aside from that I am considering what other MOS will get me closer to SF.

[1stindoor]

Originally Posted by HKccs

Aside from that I am considering what other MOS will get me closer to SF.

I can appreciate your enthusiasm and desire...however, there is only 18 series MOS's for Special Forces...just like there are only 11 series for Infantry, 13 series for Field Artillery, etc.

Not to take away from any other MOS, but I doubt any grunt would say I was basically Infantry because I was a Special Forces Weapons Sergeant, nor would I try to pass myself off as one.

I still say being an 11B squad leader was one of the toughest jobs I've ever had....and that was more than 20 years ago in a peacetime Army.

[Eagle5US]

Originally Posted by HKccs

Thank you for the responses. Apparently red/green color blind used to be accepted for 18x but all of a sudden no longer is.

Not since (as far as I know) the early 80's when I came in (before the 18X program).

As Crip already told you...red/green colorblind is (and has been since my enlistment timeframe) disqualifying for AIRBORNE SCHOOL. All SF Soldiers are ABN QUALIFIED.

Take your answer and leave it at that - no need to try and expound on what WE tell YOU.

[HKccs]

You are done here...
Don't post here again...

Eagle

[Surgicalcric]

Originally Posted by HKccs

Thanks for the replies

Previous criteria?? What criteria would that be?

Someone in this thread has already stated that passing the red/green test has been a REQUIREMENT for attendance to ABN since he enlisted in the 1980's... Either you missed that post or you are listening to someone's advice who doesnt know what they are talking about.

Crip

[whocares175]

red/green color blindness is a disqualifier as has been stated numerous times. lets face it, youre trying to get into a combat arms MOS. how do you expect to ID someone if you cant see them as well becasue theyre wearing green? do you really want to hesistate and ask yourself "is that a green uniform or grey uniform?" before firing. that would be something you need to know as the army makes us wear the grey acu's. another question i have.....have you ever been tested as color blind before? crip or any other medics/docs correct me if im wrong, but as far as i know and have researched (barring any traumatic eye injuries of some sort) you dont just become color blind. its a deficiency from birth. just like you dont just regain color vision either.

[Retiredfire]

In 1991 while at MEPS I Failed the Ishihara Plate Test (Failing is inability to identify 8 or more out of 15 plates), but was retested by with the Farnsworth lantern test and passed. All Colorblindness is not absolute and even within the different categories degree of impairment can vary greatly.
This Test (Ishihara) has followed me through out my life, I have subsequently failed it for my Captains license and for employment with a Fire Department. In both of those situations i was able to retest and with a different but approved test and pass (yes i got hired and yes i recieved my captains license).
Another example would be a FAA flight physical test for color vision out of the 7 primary approved test 3 are of the Ishihara variety. For those who fail there are 8 alternative test that if passed satisfactory satisfy the requirement.
All this said, my military experience with the Military was almost 20 years ago and probably irrelevant.
Best of luck
T

[letinsh]

Originally Posted by Retiredfire

In 1991 while at MEPS I Failed the Ishihara Plate Test (Failing is inability to identify 8 or more out of 15 plates), but was retested by with the Farnsworth lantern test and passed. All Colorblindness is not absolute and even within the different categories degree of impairment can vary greatly.
This Test (Ishihara) has followed me through out my life, I have subsequently failed it for my Captains license and for employment with a Fire Department. In both of those situations i was able to retest and with a different but approved test and pass (yes i got hired and yes i recieved my captains license).
Another example would be a FAA flight physical test for color vision out of the 7 primary approved test 3 are of the Ishihara variety. For those who fail there are 8 alternative test that if passed satisfactory satisfy the requirement.
All this said, my military experience with the Military was almost 20 years ago and probably irrelevant.
Best of luck
T

I have a similar story. Failed the Ishihara at MEPS in San Antonio. Left without the 18X contract I wanted. Did a bit of research and pestering of my recruiter (a few weeks of calling daily - squeaky wheel and what not ) and he lined up the Farnsworth Lantern test for me.

Passed with a perfect score, but he wouldn't take me to MEPS for the 18X I wanted. Said he would only take me down there again if I went 11x option 40 - something about paying my dues...

I walked, went to the Guard and got my REP-63, no problem.
The rest, as they say, is history.

[The Reaper]

This is the latest of many threads from people who are asking the same questions about being DQed for color blindness.

I hope new members learn to search and find the other ones before starting yet another thread about the same thing.

TR

[whocares175]

if thats the case any chance of making the thread a sticky and changing the title to "DQ'd for color blindness"?

[The Reaper]

Originally Posted by whocares175

if thats the case any chance of making the thread a sticky and changing the title to "DQ'd for color blindness"?

Why stick this one versus any of the others?

Easier just to use it as a screening tool for laziness and demands for personal attention.

TR

[Dozer523]

I'm pretty sure Bill Joyner is Red/Green color blind.