Colourblind Engineers

[markjb45]

Hi, I'm applying to the Royal Engineers to be a carpenter and I've got selection coming up in a few weeks, I know they test you for colourblindness on the medical and I know for a fact that I'm a CP4, which isn't very good. Is this going to stop me becoming an Engineer? I work as a carpenter already and my colourblindness has never been an issue but I can understand that if as an Engineer I'm asked to cut coloured wires or such then I'm probably screwed. Does any one know if they'll let me through?

[marinewannabe]

Im sorry to say mate but you will be barred from entry medically with cp4 for most trades , particuarly engineers. Cp2 is the standard required for entry .

[add01]

cp4 is ok except for aircrew, sparky, bomb disposal

[just_me]

What's a cp4?

[markjb45]

CP4 stands for Colour Perception 4, its a scale out of 5, 1 being the best, 5 being the worst. Personally I failed the colour dot test, failed the Lantern Test but I passed the joining up wires test, this ranks me CP4, I can match colours that are the same, but if you show me a colour I cannot always accurately name it. I'm affected by blue/purple, green/brown, green/orange and green/red, not as bad as it sounds though, its mainly to do with specific shadings. Thanks for the replys guys, not sure what to make of them though... I'm going to selection soon anyway so fingers crossed they'll let me in, either way I'll post what happens.

[just_me]

Thanks, you learn a little every day!

[markjb45]

I have done my ADSC now and did fail my colourblindness test, for anyone whos interested you need to be a CP3. Not all bad news though, I was fast enough and strong enough for the Parachute Regiment so I'm going to do that