Can't find a recruiter

[MGoBrew11]

Hey all. I'm a long time lurker of these parts and this is my first post. I know people have had similar problems to mine but the answer is always too specific to really help.

Two weeks ago I contacted the Detroit Navy recruiting center and was given the number for an officer recruiter. They said they had no email, notice or reason to believe that he was on leave. In the last two weeks I have left said recruiter two voicemail and called him two other times unsuccessfully (is this too aggressive or annoying by the way?). I have yet to hear back. Does anyone know a more effective way of reaching an OR in the SE Michigan area?

I'm kind of running out of time here, I'll be a senior at Univ of Mich in the fall and need to get eye surgery if I want to qualify for aviation. Therefore, I really need to get going on this whole process but can't really start if no one ever returns my calls.

Any advice/help would be appreciated.

 

[mtsupilot09]

Sounds pretty normal. Officer recruiters are really busy, and getting in touch with one can take awhile. It took me a couple tries too. Be persistent but not annoying. Keep trying. Maybe call the main office number and ask to speak to an OR. Persistence is the name of the game.

 

[MGoBrew11]

Thanks mtsupilot. I will keep on trying to reach the same OR then.

In the meantime, does anyone know if it would be advisable to begin looking into making consultations and appointments for corrective eye surgery BEFORE talking to a recruiter to speed up the process later on? I have seen contradicting information on these forums on which eye surgeries are acceptable to the Navy right now.

 

[mtsupilot09]

How bad is your vision? Are you applying SNA and SNFO?

 

[MGoBrew11]

I want to apply SNA, SNFO and Intel

My vision is pretty bad. Don't know the specifics but my prescription is a -4.00 and -3.50 or something like that.

 

[mtsupilot09]

FWIW, there is A LOT of eye-related topics on this site. PRK, you're good to go. I might be mistaken, but I'm pretty sure LASIK is also accepted. I knew of one guy that had LASIK and was a pilot designator. Anyways, once you do get in touch with your recruiter you'll be able to find out what the Navy is doing right now. This site is a valuable source. Best of luck!

 

[BigJeffray]

Last I've heard, PRK is still the only allowable surgery (for all practical purposes), so go for PRK. I had PRK in March, which was also when I got pro-rec'd, and looking back on it, it would have been nice to have had the surgery earlier so I could be closer to OCS, but I'm looking at November/December now. I suggest getting some consultations and shopping around now, but waiting to consult a recruiter before the surgery, though. Check out this thread for a little more info on PRK requirements. I didn't feel like reposting it. This forum has been incredibly helpful for me, and countless before me, so use this resource as best you can. Good luck!

 

[michaelcarter]

I had LASIK done a while back you need 2 post opp exams after your surgery that says your eyes are good and you should be ok.

the ORs take a while to get in touch with. good luck.

 

[MGoBrew11]

Thanks all, I got a hold of the OR. I'll be meeting with him soon. He told me right off the bat though that I'm not eligible for SNA because I'm past the max refractive limit? He said SNFO and Intel would be okay to apply to.

That didn't really sound right to me based on information I've read on this site, does anyone know for sure?

My prescription is -4, -3.75. I don't know anything specific other than that.

 

[BigJeffray]

"Pre-operative refractive error measured under cycloplegia must not exceed - 8.00 to + 3.00 (SE) and 3.00 diopters of cylinder.
Anisometropia should not exceed 3.50 diopters (using SE for each eye).
SNA applicants must meet refractive, cycloplegic, and vision standards postoperatively."

Straight from the waiver guide regarding PRK surgery. You should be good to get the surgery as you fall within the -8.00. Review the waiver guide. There's a link in my last post to another thread that has the link to the actual guide. Make sure you exhaust all options and avenues to pursue YOUR dream before you give up. Just use some tact when talking it over with your recruiter.

 

[MGoBrew11]

Yeah, that is what I thought. I had seen that post earlier. I guess I'll bring it up with him then. I'd be perfectly happy with SNFO though too, and that doesn't require surgery. We will see...