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| Science & Technology |
| Navy sees problems in popular eye surgery |
| 2006-06-21 |
| Almost every Thursday during the academic year, a bus carrying a dozen or so Naval Academy midshipmen leaves Annapolis for the 45-minute drive to Bethesda, where navy doctors perform laser eye surgery on them, one after another, with assembly-line efficiency. Nearly a third of every 1,000-member Naval Academy class now undergoes the procedure, part of a booming trend among military personnel with poor vision. Unlike in the civilian world, where eye surgery is still largely done for convenience or vanity, the procedure's popularity in the armed forces is transforming career choices and daily life in subtle but far-reaching ways. Aging fighter pilots can now remain in the cockpit longer, reducing annual recruiting needs. And recruits whose bad vision once would have disqualified them from the special forces are now eligible, making the competition for these coveted slots even tougher. |
| Posted by:Anonymoose |
| #7 Thumbs Up for Dr. Pasternak! He gave me the gift of good vision right before I retired, a little late to worry about being a "Top Gun"! |
| Posted by: Janos Hunyadi 2006-06-21 16:59 |
| #6 Last time I checked, the operative word was "Orders;" It's always been different with ring-knockers. |
| Posted by: Pappy 2006-06-21 11:36 |
| #5 Boy, if Bill Whittle were a few years younger, he'd be there like a bat out of hell. |
| Posted by: anonymous2u 2006-06-21 10:58 |
| #4 Even so, the Navy apparently isn't finding enough recruits to fill the recently significantly expanded SEAL slots. My neighbor's son went to Annapolis with the goal of becoming a SEAL, but he still has two more years until he graduates, and they need, I think, about a thousand more just for this year. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2006-06-21 07:49 |
| #3 Last time I checked, the operative word was "Orders;" as in, "On or about 1200, 3 July, Ensign John Q. (20-20) Doe are to report to the Commanding Officer (fill in nedded billet here) for duties as assigned." Or words to that effect. c'mon, guys, you got a free (no bucks out of pocket) college education, and you owe Uncle a bit of pay back. Most of us po' ol' enlisted pukes got no guarantees from the recriuter, 'cept a bus ticket to the AFEES station (that term no longer exists, boy am I dating myself). And how come the detailers don't go ahead and fill the necessary billets anyway? A bit of testicular atrophy perhaps, and not wanting to make waves? |
| Posted by: USN,Ret 2006-06-21 01:33 |
| #2 Amusing. IIRC, back in the 19th century, if a recruit had a (nearly) full set of teeth, he went into the infantry or cavalry. If he was missing most of his teeth, he went into the artillery. You needed teeth to open the paper cartriges for the muskets of the era. Not so for the cannon cockers. Still, a happy dilemma for the armed forces. Now the Submarine types will have to work on selling their specialty. Good eyesight is useful, no matter where your career takes you. Even if it is under water. |
| Posted by: N guard 2006-06-21 01:08 |
| #1 The Law of Unintended Consequences knows no bounds. Regardless of the "problems" caused, I am very grateful (and proud) that the military is providing this service to these fine men and women. Their lives will be enhanced by it. |
| Posted by: Ulusing Cleash5738 2006-06-21 00:54 |