According to Coast Guard Aviation Medicine Manual, Flight Crew not directly involved in aircraft control fall into CLASS 2 of Aviation Personnel Classification.

Now on page 1-13 it breaks class 2 into multiple sections including:
- Designated Aircrew
- Medical Personnel
- Technical Observers
- ATC
- LSO

I was wondering, for sure, which category a rescue swimmer or in general AST would fall under? Any input is appreciated but please only give me a straight answer if you are for sure and thoroughly familiar with the Coast Guard Aviation Medicine Manual descriptions.

Thank you for any help

When AST's fly, they do so as "designated aircrew"

So the way I read, it states designated aircrew need to follow the same restrictions as class 1 except for height.

The reason I ask is because I have greater than 20/20 combined vision, but my left eye can not be corrected down to 20/20, therefore I would not qualify for AST in regards to rescue swimmer, etc, due to my one eye being slightly over 20/20, even though overall vision is perfect.

Any AST and or Coast Guard please chime in to let me know if I'm correct

Any AST and or Coast Guard please chime in to let me know if I'm correct

I'm reading the same manual that you are, and I believe you are correct.

I've been in the air force for 4 years. I sew on E5 in a month or two. It just gets so frustrating having every door close in my face due to single eye. I have better than 20/20 combined, yet no doctor can correct my left eye to 20/20. Can't do air traffic control, combat controller, pararescue, rescue swimmer, etc. I just feel off, knowing I could make it in those career fields, but I will never get a chance.

If anyone has any insight for me on the topic please let me know, otherwise, thank you individuals that have already replied

Timmins, As the old saying Military Manuals are written in blood. I cannot prove it, But I could bet a dollar to a donut that those standards came because someone lost thier life, or a limb due to someones Eye sight being less than perfect. I think in this world there is no greater calling than to be of service to our fellow man. Sometimes are desires and plans are railroaded by the powers much greater than ourselves. I am a rescue swimmer, I know this might sound trite coming from someome whom has what you want. But I am not a stranger to rejection, or being denied something I think I truley would enjoy, or even be good at. I know what type of fustration that brings. Feelings of powerlessness, and anymosity. So here you are, You have a choice. Do I keep trying to make it happen? or do I throw in the towel? That choice is yours. Know this, sometimes an inch of retreat is more valuable than a foot of advancing. Sometimes continuiung to fight is insanity. Sometimes the only way to win is surrender. And sometimes as the great Vince Lombardi said, "I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious."

So my friend. That is your choice. Do you keep fighting? Or do you seek another passion that this world has for you?

I do not know if you believe in the heavens. But having a talk with the man upstairs....asking only for guidance and not for treasures, has worked wonders in my life.