My recruiter said the army would pay for lasik surgery, is that true?
socialbreakdown@sbcglobal.net asked:
I’m applying for army ocs, and the recruiter said the army would pay for LASIK. Will they? Or do I get it in writing?
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My recruiter said the army would pay for lasik surgery, is that true? |
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you get everything in writing…… nothing is guaranteed unless its written in the contract….
Before you sign any contract, get everything in writing. They will promise you the moon, but not deliever.
I would definitely get that in writing. I have heard it both ways sometimes they do and sometimes they dont. I think it all depends on how much use you will be with lasik to them in order for them to pay for it.
Get it in writing. Better yet get a lawyer to go over everything. The military isn’t like a job you can just quit if you don’t like it.
Well, probably, but it will disqualify you for many things, including aviation, airborne, Ranger, Special Forces, HALO (high altitude, low opening), marine diving or combat diving.
Army Regulation 40-501 imposes some stipulations for soldiers and cadets who have the procedure. It does not permit someone who has had refractive surgery to come on active duty. If cadets get refractive surgery while at the Military Academy, they may not be commissioned upon graduation.
It is also disqualifying/non-waiverable for SOC schools (HALO, SCUBA, SFQC, SERE).
Everyone is completely on the money with that one. Its gotta have the ink on the paper
The military will provide corrective eye surgery. Now if you qualify for it or not is another question. Not all eye sight can be “repaired” with eye surgery. You have to apply, and screen for it.
Recruiter is not lying, you just are not asking the right questions.
Do not believe this for one second! The only vision correction the military will give you are the BCGs you get in training!
I am assuming that you have Tricare Prime. I don’t know about that, but I have Tricare Standard, and it will pay for Lasik surgery.
As a former Army Recruiter (1981-1999), I’d say your Recruiter is BSing you, but I could be wrong.
As far as I am aware, LASIK is considered experimental surgery by the military and as such, is a non-waivable medical disqualification.
My best advice to you, would be to try to get in touch with an Army Medical Center and talk with someone in authority there.
The Guidance Counselors at MEPS would never put something as specific as lasik surgery in a contract, as they have no authority to obligate the Army in such a fashion, nor should they.
Lasik eye surgery is an elective procedure so no the Army will not pay for it outright. But they do however offer it at some Army hospitals and you maybe able to get it done for free, but no guarantee.
Better get that in writing. I’ve heard they only do that depending on the MOS. If they feel it won’t help you in your field, they won’t.
OK… so I was in the Navy and this is how it worked for us.
You get put on a list (if you want, it’s not an automatic thing, you have to ask for it obviously) for Lasik surgery and it is VERRRRY long. Sometimes you can get moved up on the list (I had a friend get hers done within 6 months of requesting it), but I know of several folks who waited over a year to get the procedure done. The Navy paid for it in full.
They can’t give you something like that in writing, you’re recruiter isn’t promising that you will have it done, just letting you know that it is a possibility for you to get on the list and have it done if you want; that the resources are available.
Yes the Army will do Lasik or PRK eye syrgery.
There is a waiting list though.
So it might take a couple of years.
Every major Division in the Army, now has a Eye Surgery center on Post that provides Lasik or PRK eye surgery.
Combat arms soldiers get first shot at the surgery.
Eye surgery is not a disqualifer anymore. They changed the rules.
You can do spec ops or fly with eye surgery now.
Basicly, the Air Force just finished a 3 year study on the after effects of Lasik or PRK eye surgery in 2008 and it was shown, they do not make your eyes weaker.
Using that study, all services started offering eye surgery.
Yes, all branches have Lasik available. You have to be screened and if you qualify, you will be placed on a waiting list. Enlisted and Officers are placed on the same list with no priority for rank. What your recruiter isn’t telling you is that the wait is around 7 -9 years. We had a good friend who just got his Lasik done after 8 years on the list and my husband has been waiting for 4 years. We are at Eglin, one of the largest AF bases in the US!
Recruiters will say a lot of things and the chance of getting something in writing is probably not good. If not getting LASIK is a deal breaker you need to stay away from the army, because it is not for you.
I had Lasik eye surgery done after wearing glasses for 16 years. It has been perfect for me. I have had no changes. Of course, as I age, I expect changes. I also co-manage refractive surgery and have seen hundreds of successful patients. It doesn’t hurt, generally. There is a bit of pressure, but no real pain if you have LASIK. The PRK version (where no flap is cut) is a little more uncomfortable for the first few days following the procedure. I’ve seen several people who said they were in some pain, but healed just fine. I used to wear both glasses and contact lenses. I had LASIK done and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made. I can see clearly, no squinting, no driving with glasses anymore. I can read road signs, see the individual leaves in the trees (they’re not just a blurry mess anymore). It’s also nice to be able to see what time it is when I wake up. The procedure is painless (although a bit uncomfortable) but takes less than 15 minutes. Highly recommended.
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Lasik has nothing to do with your contract — all soldiers in the Army can get Lasik — if they meet the requirements — starting with being at least 21 yrs old.
Reference AR 40-501, Standards of Medical Fitness — that should help.