Military Vision Requirements and Disqualifiers
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SERVICE MEMBERS
- Minimum visual function to perform appointed mission in a deployed environment
- Required optical devices for deployment that correct his/her vision
- Current vision records for Visual acuity and, (if needed) Optical Rx
INITIAL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
1.) Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 6130.03 Medical Standards for Appointment, Enlistment, or Induction in the Military Services (Section 5):* 
- Current distant visual acuity of any degree that does not correct with spectacle lenses to at least 20/40 in each eye
- Current near visual acuity of any degree that does not correct to 20/40 in the better eye
- Current refractive error (hyperopia, myopia, astigmatism) in excess of -8.00 or +8.00 diopters spherical equivalent or astigmatism in excess of 3.00 diopters
- Any condition that specifically requires contact lenses for adequate correction of vision, such as corneal scars and opacities and irregular astigmatism
- Color vision requirements will be set by each DoD Service
*For entrance into Service academies and officer programs, the DoD Components will determine individual requirements. DoD Components may also set additional requirements for assignment to certain specialties.
2.) Initial Vision Screening to establish an initial “PULHES” eye rating
- “PULHES" is the military acronym for Physical capacity/stamina, Upper extremities, Lower extremities, Hearing and ears, Eyes, and pSychiatric
- PULHES is a military rating system (typically of scores 1-4) used to indicate a Service Member’s medical capabilities for specific assignments or deployment
