How does color blindness affect military careers post-enlistment?

I'm aware that color blindness can limit some military roles, but what happens after you're enlisted? Are there tests to determine eligibility for certain positions and can you advance in your career?

Color blindness can indeed limit options in military service, depending largely on the branch and the specific job within that branch. This is due to the fact that certain roles require the ability to distinguish colors accurately for safety reasons, such as jobs involving electrical work or aviation. Military services conduct a color vision test as part of the entry medical examination to determine potential enlistees' color perception, which could affect the careers for which they qualify.

After enlistment, further color vision tests may be conducted for certain roles or promotions, particularly those with a high reliance on accurate color perception. For jobs like aviation, communications, and some specialist medical roles, color perception can be crucial, and thus a barrier to progression for those with color blindness.

However, having color blindness doesn't strictly prevent career advancement. There are many roles in the military where color recognition is less critical. Details within these roles will vary by branch, and it's possible to have successful and fulfilling careers in areas such as radio operations, vehicle maintenance, or administration, among others.

In sum, while color blindness can present some limitations, there are many elements to a military career and it's possible to find a rewarding path that isn't significantly impacted by color blindness. Rest assured, the military offers myriad opportunities for growth and progression beyond those roles requiring specific color vision. Each individual's skills and interests are considered in the assignment and advancement processes.