Navy Nuke Color Blind Waivers

[jordanttyler]

Good afternoon y'all, Bit of a long and complex story here, so please hang with me. Always had a fascination with submarines and nuclear power, so when I went in to talk to a recruiter for the first time back in January I was set on, and excited, for, pursuing nuke. Was ecstatic when I got a 97 on the ASVAB and alpha qualed, went to MEPS on Feb. 27. Failed the color blind test at MEPS, 6/12 or something, learned I couldn't be a nuke, signed as a CTR. Not the end of the world, but I would much rather be a nuke than a CT. Looked into waivers, didn't find much until my recruiter and I found a section in the Navy Med. Manual (15-103) under nuke that stated that waivers existed for individuals who could "effectively discern between primary and secondary colors." Went to a civilian eye doctor, had him test me w/prescription color lenses, passed the PIP test, had him write a letter saying I could effectively tell the difference between primary and secondary colors w/uncorrected vision, and my recruiter submitted a waiver request. Heard today that it was denied, no explanation was given, but my recruiter thinks it may be because the letter came from a civilian doctor. Is there any way I could see a Navy doctor, or possibly re-rate to Nuke after boot camp? Any and all advice would be great, thanks.

[GLW]

............... a Navy doctor, or possibly re-rate to Nuke after boot camp? Any and all advice would be great, thanks.[/size]

39 years ago I "re-rated",....

but that's just a memory, and the Navy does change,...

[Radwraith]

When they deny, they usually have a reason. Even if it's something like "Enough people in rate". That said, CT is not a bad gig and might gig and may even get you on a sub!

[jordanttyler]

When they deny, they usually have a reason. Even if it's something like "Enough people in rate". That said, CT is not a bad gig and might gig and may even get you on a sub!

That's what I had been told as well, so I was surprised when no explanation was given. I doubt it has to do with finding enough people in rate, as there wouldn't be a 40k bonus if the rate was filled. I'm not upset about CT, but would rather be a Nuke.

[Radwraith]

That's what I had been told as well, so I was surprised when no explanation was given. I doubt it has to do with finding enough people in rate, as there wouldn't be a 40k bonus if the rate was filled. I'm not upset about CT, but would rather be a Nuke.

Also remember, CT's are spooks! If they've got their claws into you they won't want to let go easily! It's the whole "spy game" thing! That could also explain the lack of explanation. Spooks don't talk much or explain their reasoning unless you're part of the "club". (Which you're not...yet!)

[Marlin]

Also remember, CT's are spooks! If they've got their claws into you they won't want to let go easily! It's the whole "spy game" thing! That could also explain the lack of explanation. Spooks don't talk much or explain their reasoning unless you're part of the "club". (Which you're not...yet!)

That's what I had been told as well, so I was surprised when no explanation was given. I doubt it has to do with finding enough people in rate, as there wouldn't be a 40k bonus if the rate was filled. I'm not upset about CT, but would rather be a Nuke.

   I remember CTs kicking our top secret radiomen out of the radio shack because they were not top secret enough, pulling out some of the equipment installing their own. The downside is if you wanted to qualify in subs and earn the submarine warfare pin (Dolphins) CTs are not onboard long enough to do the quals. It takes normally six months to a year depending on the boats operational schedule. CTs were only onboard for missions a couple of weeks to a couple of months. A bartender at a local craft beer establishment is a CT. Not the career path I would have expected for an ex-CT but he seems happy.
   Nuke is a tough billet to fill I would think if your recruiter could he would get you in, I guess I should say Talent Acquisition Specialist that is what they are called now. A Lieutenant Commander responsible for recruiting in two states was the guest speaker at a SubVets meeting i attended (by Zoom) recently he talked about the need for nukes. He was a P-8 pilot so he caught a little ribbing about their inability to find subs from his sub qualified staff and the SubVets at the meeting.

Good luck however your career turns out and thanks for your future service.