All candidates admitted to the U.S. Air Force Academy must meet, at a minimum, the medical and weight standards for commissioning in the United States Air Force. Qualification for flying duties requires meeting more stringent requirements, which are outlined in the Pilots and Navigators Requirements section.

Visual Acuity

Distant: correctable to 20/40 in one eye and 20/70 in the other, or 20/30 in one eye and 20/100 in the other, or 20/20 in one eye and 20/400 in the other.

Refractive Error

Farsightedness (hyperopia) no greater than +8.00 diopters and nearsightedness (myopia) no greater than -8.00 diopters spherical equivalent.

Hearing

Maximum hearing loss in either ear cannot be greater than the following:

Pure tone at 500, 1000 and 2000 cycles per second of not more than 30 dB on the average (either ear), with no individual level greater than 35 dB at these frequencies; and level not more than 45 dB at 3000 cycles per second each ear and 55 dB at 4000 cycles per second each ear.

Height

Standing Height
Not less than 58 inches to 80 inches maximum.

Weight

Weight standards are indicated in the following Weight Table. If you exceed the Air Force weight standards, you must undergo a procedure to determine your percent body fat. The minimum allowable body fat is 20% for males and 28% for females. Once the maximum weight standard has been exceeded, the body fat standard becomes the entry requirement unless you subsequently meet the weigh standard.

Other Requirements

As part of your medical examination, you will undergo an external visual inspection of the genitalia to determine if any abnormalities are present (women may have this part of their exam done by their private physicians at their own expense). You should also have a thorough dental examination by your private dentist and complete any treatment before taking the military dental examination.

Medical Notes

1. Hard contacts must be removed 21 days prior to taking your medical exam and soft contacts must be removed three days prior.
2. You cannot be undergoing active orthodontic treatment when you enter the Academy.
3. Provide medical records or documentation concerning major surgeries, illnesses and injuries at the time of your medical examination.
4. Use good judgment when listing medical problems. Do not self-diagnose a problem. List the full circumstances, treatment received and age during each episode.
5. Candidates who withhold obviously disqualifying medical information will be disenrolled and won't be eligible to reapply for the Academy. Other commissioning sources, such as ROTC programs, utilize DODMERB for their certification process and will be supplied information as to why the cadet was disenrolled.
6. If you have ANY questions concerning the medical examination process, CALL DODMERB!