Being colorblind and joining the military

Robert1986 · 10 Mar 2008 at 23:08

What sort of disadvantages would a person with colorblindness have when joining up?

Thanks.

badbob · 10 Mar 2008 at 23:09

You won't be able press the red button?

Blinkz · 10 Mar 2008 at 23:10

It all depends what you want to do in the military.....flying is most likely not going to happen.

loltim · 10 Mar 2008 at 23:10

badbob said:
You won't be able press the red button?

You would actually, unless there was a green button next to it

Robert1986 · 10 Mar 2008 at 23:11

badbob said:
You won't be able press the red button?

LOL

But seriously, I know you can't join the air force if you're color blind. Does being color blind also mean you can't join say the Royal Marines?

Raymond Lin · 10 Mar 2008 at 23:11

can't work in the pharmacy.

dowie · 10 Mar 2008 at 23:18

For something like this I'd try getting an official answer people who know - i.e. phone the recruitment office and get the latest info or check an official website.

Even people who are currently serving and post on here at the moment are unlikely to know for sure what the current regulations are for recruits. I know that it can be a problem in some cases but it depends on the severity IIRC.

Dogoid · 10 Mar 2008 at 23:18

for those living in black and white, the red button is next to the green button.

Robert1986 · 10 Mar 2008 at 23:26

I did some research and found that the Royal Marines have a lense to help people with colorblindness over come it.

gumbald · 10 Mar 2008 at 23:28

badbob said:
You won't be able press the red button?

That brought much needed cheer, thanks

gord · 10 Mar 2008 at 23:46

Robert1986 said:
What sort of disadvantages would a person with colorblindness have when joining up?

Thanks.

None if you only do nightops.. everything is green!.. unless you have green colourblindness.. then everything will be grey..

teulk · 10 Mar 2008 at 23:48

gord said:
None if you only do nightops.. everything is green!.. unless you have green colourblindness.. then everything will be grey..

Im sure youd have trouble being an electrician or indeed doing any job that has colour critical components. Your best bet is to go to your local army careers office and ask them

Andrew1978 · 10 Mar 2008 at 23:50

None at all, if you're American

me227 · 10 Mar 2008 at 23:51

They'd shoot you on the spot as you're genetically inferior.

Van Hellseek · 10 Mar 2008 at 23:54

Robert1986 said:
What sort of disadvantages would a person with colorblindness have when joining up?

They wouldn't be able to see color.

Ghosteh · 10 Mar 2008 at 23:58

It will all depend on how severe your colour blindness is. The best thing you can do it get down to your local ACIO/AFCO and speak to them. When you go on selection for the military, you will do an eye sight test, including colour blindness. They will gauge how bad it is, and then will give you a list of possible careers you can go for. There are so many variables that this question is very difficult to answer on a forum.

Reasteh · 11 Mar 2008 at 01:23

teulk said:
Im sure youd have trouble being an electrician or indeed doing any job that has colour critical components. Your best bet is to go to your local army careers office and ask them

bomb disposal ofcourse

_PD_ · 11 Mar 2008 at 01:42

Hi,

I'm currently serving in the Army and am pretty badly colour blind!

It's not been a problem for me, though can be restricitve on very specific roles - e.g. Bomb Disposal, for obvious reasons.

Do you know what you want to do?

Ghosteh · 11 Mar 2008 at 02:20

What are you in out of interest _PD_. Just curious if you managed to do your Sky Diving though the Army?

riddler · 11 Mar 2008 at 04:41

How will you know who is on the red / blue team? the only guy you'll be able to shoot without getting flamed is the one carrying the flag :/