srleslie

Anyone know what the requirements are for the Ishihara test? I can pass it with the FAA and miss 3-4 but what does the AF require? Thanks.

KC10 FATboy

I can't speak to what the USAF color standards are. I just know that I pass them.

However, I will say that after you get in to the Air Force and have signed the dotted line, they will send you to Brooks Air Force Base. There will you go through a more extensive and evasive eye and heart exams. They will screen you for different color deficiencies than what a normal eye test covers.

I'm trying to tell you in a nice way, don't cheat the system. I've heard of guys memorizing the different color charts. You can google most of them. But, washing out of UPT before getting there, and then finding out you're going to be a maintenance officer or some other unwelcomed job for 4 years would really suck. If you have a deficiency, make sure you let whoever is recruiting you know and whether it is a go/no-go item for you.

Call a Officer Recruiter. They should be able to find out for you. Good luck in your research.

LivingInMEM

New color vision requirements are in effect. Basically, you'll need 14/14. They are issuing waivers for rated personnel, but I don't know that waivers are possible for new accessions. A USAFR or Guard squadron may be able to push a waiver through for a new hire if the AD won't consider it.

LivingInMEM

I just read a message today that all AFRC, ANG, and AD Med Testing Facilities should also have a new CCT (Cone-something test) by now and 75% is required in each color.

crewdawg

Another minor note, MFS is moving to Wright-Patt, this spring. No more tearing up the riverwalk after passing the biggest physical of your life!

I'm sure they kept he F2 (?) plate. Not exactly sure what that this but I do remember having to read one plate after finishing a few books.

zondaracer

I can confirm with personal experience, not that I tried to cheat the system but they will tell you that you have eye problems that you never knew existed

bunk22

Here is a good thread at airwarriors about a guy having issues getting into the Air Force due to color vision issues. He was NQP'ed actually and has some interesting info. The Navy keeps it simple, pass the FALANT light test and you're in. It's probably the easiest test out there and without it, I probably would not have been able to fly military.

USAF to USN Inter-Service Transfer for Color Vision

USMCFLYR

Thanks Bunk for the post.
I'm very impressed with the effort and research that guy has put into the process.
He isn't one to give up and I can relate to that since I had many of the same fights; though he is far more informed than I was regarding the requirements and such for each of the services.
You and I Bunk seem to have identical eyeballs too

USMCFLYR

KC10 FATboy

When in doubt, go to the source document. That is something I learned a long time ago and as an evaluator, I lived and died by.

Now that you are armed with the knowledge, you can hold them accountable for when they violate their own regulations.

Aerospace Medicine, MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS AND STANDARDS

http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/share.../AFI48-123.pdf

Cone Contrast Test (CCT) equipment will be sent to AF MTFs and ANG and AFRC units not co-located with an MTF no later than January 2011. Beginning 1 January 2011, or upon receipt of CCT equipment, all flying/special operational duty personnel or other career fields requiring color vision testing will be tested using both the CCT and PIP I/PIP II. Passing score on the CCT is defined as 75 or greater on each of the three colors, red, green and blue.

6.44.10. Color Vision.
6.44.10.1. Flying Class I. Color vision deficit or anomaly of any degree or type. See aircrew waiver guide.
6.44.10.1.1. All Flying Class I applicants must pass color vision testing during the initial FC I exam (PIP 1 and PIP II). If passed, subsequent MFS color vision screening testing includes the following approved tests by AF/SG.
6.44.10.1.1.1. PIP I (minimum passing score 12/14, tested monocularly).
Note: All USAFA and ROTC cadets receiving initial flight physicals during the 2009-2010 academic year will be held to the 10/14 PIP I standards. For the purposes of this AFI, the academic year will end 1 Jul 2010. All other aircrew who were previously qualified for flying duties based on the previous 10/14 PIP I and fail the new 12/14 PIP I standard will be considered for waiver in their current weapon system after appropriate evaluation. A formal ophthalmologic evaluation must be accomplished to determine the type and degree of color vision defect.
6.44.10.1.1.2. PIP II (minimum passing score 9/10 tested monocularly).
6.44.10.1.1.3. F2 Plate (able to correctly identify number, location and
orientation of squares, tested monocularly, performed only during the Medical
Flight Screening exam).
6.44.10.1.1.4. Confirmatory testing by the ACS on any history of color screening test failure, to include Anomaloscope and Cone Contrast Test, may be required. 84 AFI48-123 24 SEPTEMBER 2009
6.44.10.2. Flying Class IA/II/III: Must possess normal color vision as demonstrated by passing the approved PIP I and PIP II. Testing must be accomplished at each PHA. Follow up testing for previously waived color defectives will include at least the PIP I and PIP II and other testing as determined by AFMSA/SG3PF. See aircrew waiver guide.
6.44.10.2.1. PIP I (minimum passing score 12/14, tested monocularly).
6.44.10.2.2. PIP II (minimum passing score 9/10, tested monocularly).
6.44.10.3. Color vision screening done at base level must be performed monocularly under an approved and standardized illuminant (i.e., MacBeth easel lamp with a 100 watt light bulb or a True Daylight AE lamp from Richmond Products). Three or more incorrect responses in either eye (including failure to make responses in the allowed time interval (no more than 5 seconds)) using either the Dvorine or Ishihara (14 test plate version) PIP I, is considered a failure. The same testing conditions and time intervals
apply for the PIP II. The minimum passing score on the PIP II is no more than one incorrect response. No other PIP versions, such as the Richmond PIP, or Beck Engraving versions, or other PIP tests for color vision are authorized. Test scores must be recorded as number of correct/total number presented. The Farnsworth lantern test (FALANT) is not authorized.
6.44.10.4. Color defective aircrew with a valid waiver may wear issued neutral gray tinted sunglasses and laser eye protection when operationally authorized. However, aircrew with defective color vision are not authorized to wear the yellow High Contrast Visor (HCV).
6.44.10.5. AFMSA retains certification/waiver authority for all color vision deficiencies.

bunk22

He is a trooper no doubt, not giving up. If he had gone Navy, he wouldn't have had those issues. Navy has kept it simple with the FALANT test, pass it and your in (luckily for us!!!). That mess KC10 FATboy posted seems to be the problem this kid is having. One basic test, one basic standard should be that is needed it seems. Afterall, Navy doesn't seem to have an issue with color vision related mishaps. If it ain't broke, why fix it?

The Navy's standards:

Color Vision: Must pass any one of the following two tests:
(1) FALANT or Optec 900: 9/9 correct on the first trial or, if any are missed, at least 16.18 correct on the combined second and third trials.
(2) PIP color plates (Any red-green screening test with at least 14 diagnostic plates; see manufacturer instructions for scoring information), randomly administered under Macbeth lamp: scoring plates 2-15, at least 12/14 correct.