Considering joining the US military but don’t have perfect eyesight? The good news is that you can wear glasses in the military, but vision standards may apply depending on the branch you want to join.
I’ll walk you through the vision requirements and whether you can wear glasses and contact lenses in your branch of choice.
At a Glance
- You can wear glasses in the military, but you should know the specific vision requirements for the branch you’re applying to.
- Glasses color should be subtle, with minimal visible logos, no flashy bling, and a neat fit.
- Transitional lenses may be acceptable depending on the branch; however, tinted lenses must be medically necessary in order to qualify.
- You can also wear contact lenses in many positions, but generally, clear contacts are accepted while tinted ones are not.
- If you’re wondering whether your vision meets military standards, it’s best to get an eye exam and speak with a military recruiter about the vision requirements for the role you want.
Wearing Glasses in the Army
General guidelines say you can wear prescription glasses in the Army, but they should be subtle and professional.
That basically eliminates colorful, bold, and preppy glasses. So no bright red or deep navy blue, and step away from the orange.
Instead of bold frames, choose black, dark gray, or brown frames. Avoid flashy brand logos that are big, shiny, and noticeable. Something like a Timberland TB1799 with a thin semi-frame could work.
Your glasses should also be a “normal” size and shape. While this may be harder to gauge, think about it like this: they shouldn’t be too oversized or tiny. Your glasses should fit properly on your face and not draw unnecessary attention.
And generally, your glasses should have clear prescription lenses. If you need tinted lenses, seek specific approval and confirm whether your garrison accepts them.
Vision Requirements in the Army
Your visual acuity (how sharp and clear your vision is) must be no less than 20/20 and 20/40 in the other eye to serve in the Army Rangers. If you’ve had LASIK, you must wait 3-6 months (or sometimes longer) before you can serve. If you haven’t had LASIK, you’re allowed to wear glasses to meet these acuity requirements.
For those who want to be an Army Pilot, your vision should be 20/50 uncorrected and 20/20 corrected.
Both the Marines and the Navy allow you to wear glasses. But they should look professional, and that means no distracting, bright, or bold glasses.
More specifically, avoid anything trendy or “faddish.” So, similar to the Army, avoid logos, bling on your frames, and noticeable colors. If your glasses have a brand, make sure the logo is minimal. Tommy Hilfiger glasses, for example, keep the logo very simple.
While you should use your best judgment, the rules say that your glasses shouldn’t distract from your uniform. You are allowed to wear silver, gray, black, navy blue, gold (again, subtle is the key here), and brown frames.
You may also wear glasses with a combination of two of these colors, so long as those colors are only used for the framing that holds the lens in place.
Your lenses should be clear, but transitional lenses (black, brown, dark gray, or green) are allowed except in military formations. You should have a prescription from your eye doctor if you need to wear tinted glasses for medical reasons.
Vision Requirements in the Navy
Some roles require stronger vision. For example, for SEALs (sea, air, land), your visual acuity should be at least 20/40 in your best eye and 20/70 in your worst eye. It should be correctable to 20/25.
For other roles, it may vary. For example, if you want to work in a Navy aviation role, then your visual acuity should be correctable to 20/20.
Wearing Glasses in the Air Force
You can wear eyeglasses in the US Air Force, but just like the other branches of the military, they should be conservative.
Black, dark blue, gold or silver wire (so no chunky glasses), and gray frames are allowed. Any logos should be barely visible.
Vision Requirements in the Air Force
As you can imagine, good eyesight is vital if you want to be a pilot. Visual acuity must be at least 20/70 in each eye and correctable to 20/20. You also shouldn’t be color blind.
If you intend to take up a non-pilot role, such as administrative staff, the vision requirements will vary.
LASIK may work, but check the requirements for the specific role you are applying for before you schedule. You don’t want extended delays or a rejection.
Can You Wear Contact Lenses in the Military?
The military generally allows contact lenses. In the Army, you may be able to wear medically necessary contact lenses, but some roles, such as in the field, tactical teams, and those exposed to dust and debris, should not wear contacts, even if you need vision correction. For the Air Force, contacts must be medically necessary regardless of your role, which means no colored contacts for style purposes.
General Vision Checks in the Military
So, can you wear glasses in the military? The short answer is yes, sometimes. But as you can see, there’s no single right answer. If you want to be a service member, there are vision standards whether you wear contacts, glasses, or neither.
You may have to attend a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) for screening. Part of the process is a medical and physical evaluation, including a vision test.
Some roles, like pilot positions, generally have stricter vision requirements, while supportive and admin roles may not be as stringent.
If you want to work in the military but worry about your vision, it’s a good idea to see your eye doctor for an exam and understand whether you could benefit from prescription lenses. You can also discuss your concerns with a military recruiter for advice.
Being proactive about your vision care means that you’ll better understand whether you can meet the visual requirements for the role you want. If you can’t, a recruiter could advise you on what to do next, including possibilities like LASIK.
FAQs
Can you wear glasses in the military?
Yes, in general, you can wear glasses in the US military. They should be discreet, professional, and in a neutral color with minimal logos.
Can you wear contact lenses in the military?
You can usually wear contact lenses in the military, but some branches don’t allow colored lenses. Some field-op positions don’t allow contacts at all.
Are you only allowed to wear black glasses in the military?
Different colored frames can work, but black, dark blue, brown, and gray are the safest options. Bright, bold, and attention-grabbing colors like orange, yellow, and green will likely be a no.
If you need to explore options that would suit your military role, shop eyeglasses here.
