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OCS Class 20Jul25

Got an eye ball topography and the doctor said I may have early onset keratoconus which is a dq for pilot for sure (no waiver available) and nfo I’m hearing conflicting things.
I was selected for NFO and went to OCS last fall. During medical screening I was hit with keratoconus diagnosis. It will disqualify you from any aviation job for sure and is listed as a non-wavierable condition for military enlistment in the first place. After my diagnosis I was discharged and sent home from OCS without commissioning. I recommend that you get another test done and make sure you have medical documentation stating that your keratoconus is "stable and correctable to 20/20". You need to see those exact words to have any snowballs chance at getting a conditional wavier. If you are able to get those exact wording, you still will only be eligible for restricted line designation. I was able to get a wavier for supply after lots of medical documents and involving my congressman. Im just waiting to hear back from the board now. You have to be a squeaky wheel about things and push when people tell you no initially. It is possible to commission with keratoconus but it is an uphill battle. Please do not ship to OCS without getting a medical wavier or at least documentation stating the wording above. It will save you a lot of trouble. Message me with any questions. Best of luck.
 

joetting21

NFO Select
I was selected for NFO and went to OCS last fall. During medical screening I was hit with keratoconus diagnosis. It will disqualify you from any aviation job for sure and is listed as a non-wavierable condition for military enlistment in the first place. After my diagnosis I was discharged and sent home from OCS without commissioning. I recommend that you get another test done and make sure you have medical documentation stating that your keratoconus is "stable and correctable to 20/20". You need to see those exact words to have any snowballs chance at getting a conditional wavier. If you are able to get those exact wording, you still will only be eligible for restricted line designation. I was able to get a wavier for supply after lots of medical documents and involving my congressman. Im just waiting to hear back from the board now. You have to be a squeaky wheel about things and push when people tell you no initially. It is possible to commission with keratoconus but it is an uphill battle. Please do not ship to OCS without getting a medical wavier or at least documentation stating the wording above. It will save you a lot of trouble. Message me with any questions. Best of luck.
How did they find the keratoconus? I thought for NFO you didn’t have to get topography done. Or could they see it outside of that? I got my eyes checked and don’t have anything wrong but just genuinely curious
 

Empire16

Well-Known Member
NFOs get a topography too for whatever reason. My vision is 20/20 never had a problem with my eyes ever. Never would have thought about keratoconus until I get the civilian topo.
 

jishdotcom

New Member
I was selected for NFO and went to OCS last fall. During medical screening I was hit with keratoconus diagnosis. It will disqualify you from any aviation job for sure and is listed as a non-wavierable condition for military enlistment in the first place. After my diagnosis I was discharged and sent home from OCS without commissioning. I recommend that you get another test done and make sure you have medical documentation stating that your keratoconus is "stable and correctable to 20/20". You need to see those exact words to have any snowballs chance at getting a conditional wavier. If you are able to get those exact wording, you still will only be eligible for restricted line designation. I was able to get a wavier for supply after lots of medical documents and involving my congressman. Im just waiting to hear back from the board now. You have to be a squeaky wheel about things and push when people tell you no initially. It is possible to commission with keratoconus but it is an uphill battle. Please do not ship to OCS without getting a medical wavier or at least documentation stating the wording above. It will save you a lot of trouble. Message me with any questions. Best of luck.
I'm still awaiting my board that just met for CW. Just a quick question, what goes on in OCS Medical? Is it just a quick eyes and ears type of thing, or is it a full in depth body search thing?
 
I'm still awaiting my board that just met for CW. Just a quick question, what goes on in OCS Medical? Is it just a quick eyes and ears type of thing, or is it a full in depth body search thing?
It's several days worth of sitting in NCNE hospital and having tests done. For aviation designatiors we had hearing tests, several eye exams, a meeting with flight doc, chest x ray, blood work, urine test, dental exam, and then some other basic check up style medical things. For the eye exams I think we did a standard read the letters on the eye chart test, they take pictures of inside your eye and do a topographic view, and then dilate your eyes. Nothing too invasive happens. I think MEPS is more in charge of that stuff.
 
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