To become a U.S. Navy SEAL, you cannot be colorblind. The Navy has rigorous medical standards for its elite Special Warfare (NSW) operators, and "Normal Color Vision" is a non-negotiable requirement. This is because SEALs must be able to accurately identify color-coded signals, flares, wires (in Explosive Ordnance Disposal scenarios), and navigation lights on ships and aircraft in high-stress, low-light environments. The standard test used is the Ishihara Color Plate Test; if an applicant fails this, they may be given the Farnsworth Lantern Test (FALANT) as a secondary check, but the failure of both results in a disqualification. In 2026, while some medical waivers are becoming more common for minor issues (like corrective laser eye surgery for vision), color vision remains a critical safety and operational requirement. An applicant with color vision deficiency may still serve in the Navy in other "ratings" (jobs), but the path to the SEAL teams is effectively closed to them.