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Can you be drafted if you wear glasses?

Author

William Rodriguez

Published Jan 07, 2026

Poor vision typically will not limit your ability to serve in the U.S. Military, so long as your vision problem can be suitably corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses or vision correction surgery. However, each branch of the military has its own regulations regarding vision and vision correction.Poor vision typically will not limit your ability to serve in the U.S. Military, so long as your vision problem can be suitably corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses or vision correction surgery. However, each branch of the military has its own regulations regarding vision and vision correction.

What exempts you from being drafted?

Certain elected officials, exempt so long as they continue to hold office. Veterans, generally exempt from service in peacetime draft. Immigrants and dual nationals in some cases may be exempt from U.S. military service depending upon their place of residence and country of citizenship.

Can you be drafted if you have poor eyesight?

The following conditions may disqualify you for military service: a. Distant visual acuity of any degree that does not correct with spectacle lenses to at least one of the following: (1) 20/40 in one eye and 20/70 in the other eye.

Can I join the army if I wear glasses?

So i should be good as long as my vision can be corrected with glasses/contacts? Yes, so long as it can be corrected to a good enough level. You will probably be fine.

Can you be special forces with glasses?

Standard: Must be at least 20/70 or better in both eyes and both correctable to 20/20 with glasses. Must have normal color vision. Waiver possibilities: If one eye is 20/70 or better and the other no worse than 20/200, or if both eyes are no worse than 20/100. Note: PRK and LASEK surgery is approved by the Air Force.

22 related questions found

What are military glasses called?

GI glasses are eyeglasses issued by the American military to its service members. Dysphemisms for them include the most common "birth control glasses" (also called "BCGs") and other variants. At one time, they were officially designated as regulation prescription glasses, or RPGs.

Can I join the airforce with glasses?

The Air Force now offers a variety of eyeglass frame choices. Once you receive your government-issue glasses (a few days after your eye examination), they are the only glasses you are allowed to wear while at basic training. If you don't really need glasses to see, you won't be required to wear them.

Can you be drafted if color blind?

Color blindness will not make you ineligible to join the U.S. armed forces. But it will make you ineligible for some military occupational specialties, and for good reason. Prospective recruits generally take one or more of three color vision tests when they arrive at a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS).

How tall is too tall for the military?

The cause for rejection for Armed Forces male applicants is height less than 60 inches or more than 80 inches. The cause for rejection for Armed Forces female applicants is height less than 58 inches or more than 80 inches. The Marines are more restrictive.

Can I be drafted if I have ADHD?

While ADHD alone does not disqualify a person from military service, the Department of Defense (DOD) places significant enlistment restrictions on individuals with an ADHD diagnosis and/or prior treatment with medication. Has documentation of adverse academic, occupational, or work performance.

Can the youngest son be drafted?

Contrary to popular belief, "only sons," "the last son to carry the family name," and "sole surviving sons" must register and they can be drafted. However, they may be entitled to a peacetime deferment if there is a military death in the immediate family.

Can you be drafted if you have flat feet?

People often ask: “Why can't people with flat feet join the army?” Flat feet, commonly known as enormous feet, are when people have flat feet. They cannot walk long distances. Therefore, you cannot join the military with flat feet.

Is there a weight limit for the draft?

These requirements are on a scale based on age, gender, and height. For example, an 18-year old male Army recruit who is 5'5 must weigh no more than 163 lbs. A 25-year old male Army recruit who is the same height can weigh no more than 165, and a 30-year old male Army recruit who is 5'5 can weigh no more than 168.

What is the weight limit for military?

As of 2020, the height requirement is 58-78 inches (147-198 centimeters) for men and 58-72 inches (147-183 centimeters) for women. The maximum weight allowed varies by height, from 148 to 267 pounds (67 to 121 kilograms) for men and 120 to 184 pounds (54 to 83 kilograms) for women.

How tall do you have to be to be a SEAL?

Enlisted SEAL

Height: 5 ft. 10 in.

Can you get drafted if you have asthma?

Asthma, only if requiring treatment after a recruit's 13th birthday, may disqualify an individual from serving. This is a change from the military's previous disqualification of all candidates with any history of asthma. If the individual carries an inhaler, he or she is likely to be disqualified.

Can you get drafted if you are the only son?

the “only son”, “the last son to carry the family name,” and ” sole surviving son” must register with Selective Service. These sons can be drafted. However, they may be entitled to peacetime deferment if there is a military death in the immediate family.

Can you be a Navy SEAL with color blindness?

Basic Requirements

Poor eyesight can disqualify you. Vision must be correctable to 20/25. Your uncorrected vision can be no worse than 20/70 in the worst eye and 20/40 in the best eye. You won't be accepted into the program if you have color blindness.

What does 20 70 vision look like?

The ratio measurement of vision describes visual acuity, or the sharpness of vision, at 20 feet from an object. For example, having 20/70 vision means that you must be at 20 feet to see what a person with normal vision can see at 70 feet.

Does the military issue glasses?

Since 1990, military personnel and recruits who required vision correction have received the standard issue S9 eyeglass frames, often jokingly referred to as "birth control glasses" or simply "BCGs" along with the rest of their standard issue gear when reporting into boot camp.

Can you be a pilot with glasses?

Perfect vision is not a requirement. There are many professional pilots who wear glasses. The FAA has vision limitations that are tested during the aeromedical physical examination, but glasses are permitted.

Why do American soldiers wear sunglasses?

Since many soldiers rely on prescription glasses, you may want to consider getting a pair soldiers wear. Not only do they look great, but they are used by the military for a reason. They let servicemen and servicewomen do their duty by being able to see everything in their surroundings.

Can Marines wear glasses?

If you require glasses to have 20/20 vision, you will be given military-issue glasses, which have thick, hard-plastic frames, with thick, hard-plastic lenses. Once you receive them, they are the only glasses you are allowed to wear while at basic training.

What do Marines call glasses?

BCG's. These are what Marines call the glasses you get issued at boot camp, or “boot camp glasses.” Most know them by their nickname, which is “birth control glasses,” because well, you probably don't want to hit the club wearing these things.

Does the military have a height requirement?

NOTE: Height range is 5'0" to 6'8" males and 4'10' to 6'8" for females. The minimum age is 17.