Manual of the Medical Department (NAVMED P-117): Chapter 15: Medical Examinations: Special Duty

15-70 Nuclear Field Duty (Nuclear Power/Nuclear Weapons)

Department of the Navy
Bureau of Medicine and Surgery

(2) Additional Standards. Must meet the general duty standards and those listed in article 1~6B. Additionally, the following are cause for rejection:

(a) Ears

(1) Demonstrated inability to communicate and perform duty.

(2) Must have bilateral hearing.

(b) Eyes. Detective color vision. Screening will be conducted with the FALANT. Waivers will be considered for personnel who can demonstrate a functional ability to discern color associated with their work environment, such request will include a statement from the operational supervisor or superior and the results of the FALANT.

(c) Psychiatric. Because of the potential for misuse of devices and sources emitting ionizing radiation, the psychological fitness of applicants must be carefully appraised by the examining physician. The objective is to elicit evidence of tendencies which militate against assignment to these critical duties. Among these are below average intelligence, lack of motivation, unhealthy motivation, history of personal ineffectiveness, difficulties in interpersonal relations, a history of irrational behavior w irresponsibility, lack of adaptability, or documented personality disorders.

(1) Any examinee diagnosed by a psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, or UMO as suffering from depression, psychosis, manic depression, paranoia, severe neurosis, severe borderline personality, w schizophrenia will be recommended for disqualification at the time of initial diagnosis. Waiver request may be submitted per section V.

(2) Those personnel with diagnosed suicidal ideation must have their cases reviewed, as a minimum, by the TYCOM medical officer for fleet personnel, or MED 21 for shore based personnel, to determine the necessity for disqualification or return to duty. Personnel with suicidal gestures or attempts will be recommended for nuclear field disqualification. Waivers will be considered on an individual basis per section V.

(3) Those personnel with minor psychiatric disorders such as acute situational stress reactions must be evaluated by the local group or squadron medical officer in conjunction with a formal psychiatric evaluation when necessary. Those cases which resolve completely, quickly, and without significant psychotherapy can be found fit for nuclear field duty by the responsible medical officer, if deemed appropriate. Those cases in which confusion exists, require review by the TYCOM medical officer for fleet personnel, or MED 21 for shore based personnel. Any consideration for return to duty in these cases must address the issue of whether the service member, in the opinion of the medical officer and the member's commanding officer, can successfully return to the specific stresses and environment of nuclear field duty.

(4) Personnel entering the Nuclear Weapons Program must also meet the requirements for the Personnel Reliability Program, OPNAVINST 5510.162 series.

(d) Migraine Headaches. History of migraine headaches that are recurrent, incapacitating, or require the chronic use of medications for control.