My Vision Wasn't Good Enough to Be a Fighter Pilot

When I was 16, I was determined to become a fighter pilot. But, after a visit to the optometrist, my dreams were crushed. Do you need perfect vision to become a fighter pilot?

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*Views presented are my own and do not represent the views of DoD or its Components.*

#MakeThemTellYouNo

[baghdaddymike]

This video is a prime example of how Mover uses this platform for good and is an incredible ambassador for Air Force and Navy aviation!

[Savage_Viking]

I ran into the 'perfect vision' problem when I applied to be a warrant officer Apache pilot. Although I aced my tests my vision didn't meet the requirements. So, I canceled pursuing the warrant officer path, stayed enlisted and went on to special operations and had a blast. Turns out that a few years after I applied the Army changed the standards for vision to be a pilot, but at that point I was older and just didn't want to go through the hassle again. Pursuing my pilots license now after retirement. Great video as always.

[travisworden]

As a fighter pilot myself, I can attest that the medical boards really do try to help you if they can. For the sitting height test at my board, the sweet voiced examiner lady stuck the measuring stick to my head and said “sit up straight, honey’ to which I replied “I am!”. Then she looked at me—now dead serious, all sweetness in her voice vanished—and said in a voice 9 levels deeper “Sit. Taller.”

I’ve never squeezed my buttcheeks so hard in my life.

After the most stressful pause of my life as she scrutinized the measuring tool… her motherly shrill returned as she smiled and said “okay you’re good to go!’…

That lady saved my career. Always love your message, mover. Keep it up! -Flip

[Ananamitron]

Made MEPS definitely tell me no. They sent me back 3 times, sent me to eye specialists, and found out I had Keratoconus and would need a cornea transplant. Wouldn't have known otherwise. Fortunately, I can still get a first-class medical for the FAA and can fly still, just not in the military.

[virginiafrank]

Thank you for repeatedly posting your "Make them tell you 'No'" advice. Undoubtedly, it will help some people realize their dreams of flying. When I was a young boy I dreamed of being a fighter pilot. Unfortunately, because of my terrible vision, which was so bad that I couldn't tell whether my optometrist's eyes were open or closed from the normal examination distance, I knew I would never fly either fighters or anything else in the USAF. I went to high school from 1958 until 1962, and the eye rules were much stricter then than now. I've spent my life being very unhappy about not being able to fly in the U. S. military. Thank you again for working to help anyone who might listen to your advice.

[schoolioD]

Wow, I had such a similar optometrist experience when I was 16 in 1993, only as a military brat, it was an Air Force doc. I think it worked out ok for me - I’m about to retire as an Army O6, Master Aviator, rated in the AH-64 and UH-60, and instructor pilot in C-12s and UC-35s. Awesome message…keep up the great work!

[aim]

I just got the offer to fly jets in the German air force with specially fitted glasses, even though the doctor during the medical assessment said, that glasses in a fighter were a no go because they wouldn't fit beneath the helmet. It's crazy how much misinformation there is even inside the military and especially in recruitment.

Got two medical exemptions, one for the glasses and one for a neurological thing.

Make them tell you no!

[noncrediblecase]

I'm no pilot, just a civilian with an interest in aviation and fighter jets, but "Make Them Tell You No" is such a great and inspirational mindset for just about any career or accomplishment you want to achieve. Thanks for this, Mover.

[adastra]

I always wanted to be an Air Force pilot since I was a young kid. Watching your videos throughout the many years kept my hope alive- even with the vision I had. My vision was originally disqualifying for the Air Force, and even after I got PRK, one eye was still barely 20/20- even with glasses. Overall, I NEVER let them tell me no - and there were many times I was told no. After many hard fought battles I passed all the medical checks. I'm beyond excited to say I'll be heading to IFT in Colorado on Wednesday and officially starting UPT in July. Your message is one i'll never forget.

[terryboyer]

My story with vision reqs. I wore glasses before kindergarten. I was always intensely interested with and loved space stuff and airplanes. (born in 1958 so space race was on!) I knew with my bad eyesight I'd never fly military but got my flying fix by joining CAP as a cadet and later a senior member. But I always dreamed of actually flying an aircraft by myself. In my 30s I decided I'd make that a reality and started taking lessons. I was fortunate and my main instructor was an active duty F/A-18C pilot on TDY in Detroit. We REALLY hit it off and had a great time together. Anyway as solo approached I had to get the Class C medical. I went to a local FAA ME. Everything was going well until he told me to read the eye chart WITHOUT my glasses on. It was a total blur and I couldn't see anything. He said I had to see at least one letter to pass. I was devastated and thinking this was the end and I'd never solo. He saw my huge disappointment and asked if I could see the big letter that comes after D. I was confused and said what? He repeated "Can you see the big letter that comes after D"? I said, you mean E? He said "Good enough!" When I put my glasses back on I saw the top letter on the chart was a big E. So with his help and coaching I passed the medical and soloed a few weeks later. Instead of telling me no he said yes! I'll always be grateful to him.

[argoswaits]

Last year, when I was 16, I was stuck in a similar situation. Now that I know the facts it has cut my uncertainty significantly. Thank you for your service and thank you for your story.

[gregorymaupin]

Mover you are one of the most humble officers and for that I really respect that about you. Your guests are all the same way. Hopefully one day our paths will cross and I would truly like to shake your hand for putting a smile on an old sailor’s face during some hard times.

[Bad_Wolf_Media]

5:33 - I've watched the channel long enough to know the story, but I'm just imagining newbies coming to the channel and hearing the casual mention of "...when I got struck by lightning." That sound is many jaws hitting floors and desks.

[Ed-hzum]

Similar problem for me. At age 8, I was diagnosed with a heart murmur, but I took little notice. In my teens, I went to my family Doc to get a 3rd Class FAA physical so I could begin flying lessons. He listened to my heart...and failed me! Crushed. However, I later applied through the Air Guard for the AF Aviation Cadet program. At the physical, I was ready for the rejection, again. The Doc asked me if I had ever had a heart murmur diagnosed. I told him I had. He gave me the name of a cardiologist for tests, and approved my application after getting the results. Success! I'm 84 now and looking back on a long military (fighters) and airline career. I never had any problem with my heart. Also...my vision is still 20-20 uncorrected. Not too bad for an octogenarian.

[novaspartan]

Air Force ROTC cadet here. I’ve been watching your videos for a long time, just got done with IFC at Wright-Patt. I’ve had 20-15 vision my entire life, I’ve got a PPL, never had any vision issues and wasn’t worried about passing. According to the docs I’m apparently color deficient. No waivers available, but there’s an ETP route which could take years. Never thought this would happen to me, but here I am. The fights not over, I’m gonna make them tell me no as many times as I can.

[CallsignOutdoors]

Mover,

I am in a similar spot right now. I got picked up for OTS recently and got an RPA slot. When I got my retinal scans done for my IFC1, they found abnormal corneal topography in my right eye. They wanted to send me off base (I am still waiting to go to MFS) to get a second opinion before they route my IFC and waiver. No one in my flight med team is worried as I have 20/20 and perfect depth perception. I’ve also been on flying status my entire enlisted career with almost 1000hrs of flight time. Also having a PPL does help my case. Even though I got selected for RPAs, I still may apply for manned later on after I am flying the line again. I’ve worked on becoming an Officer my entire 6 year enlisted career so it still is stressful going through this process, but your videos have helped me over the years and it’s amazing how you went through even more hurdles than me and you made it. Make them tell you no!

TIDE

[BattleRifle]

I failed depth perception twice. I also got "PDQ'd" 4 times before even getting to MEPS. Currently in Meridian. Keep trying!

[AvarageMilkEnjoyer]

Thank you for this inspirational content! I'm also wanting to become a fighter pilot but I was always thinking I didn't have good enough vision or wasn't smart enough or anything. People around me tell me "you can always be a crewchief or air traffic controller" I just said sure I guess and kind of lost hope for ever becoming a fighter pilot. Recently I found your channel and I love it! Especially this video motivates me to try out everything I can to become a fighter pilot. Every. Single. Option. Like Sam Eckholm once said "If there's a will there's a waiver!"
I'm gonna push forward and give it my all #MakeThemTellYouNo

[ChristopherSterwerf]

I wish I was back in middle school now and had access to the information you're sharing. Mover, you are changing the lives of many young future aviators. Keep up the great work! Thanks for letting me vicariously live the fighter pilot life through you.

[paulbrooks]

Good stuff, I always had 20/15 vision but have been plagued by health issues, changing meds all the time, and was never healthy enough for the military, even though I wanted to be a fighter pilot so badly. It’s amazing how a person can otherwise be completely okay in some ways but be heavily unwell in others.

Not every story is a victory, but the message that folks need to know is to never stop trying, keep getting help, and you’ll go farther than you might believe is possible.

For me, every day is a struggle—winning isn’t a win—it’s more akin to “don’t be defeated” and “do what you can even if you’re falling apart”. I don’t know how I even made it through college and still hold a job, but I know that until I hit a insurmountable brick wall—I will never stop trying to do better than yesterday.