Optimum vision readiness is essential for any modern army. The objective of this study was to assess the ocular health status of the Nigerian Army service personnel in Enugu and ascertain their level of vision readiness defined as having the appropriate visual acuity (visual readiness) and optical devices required (optical readiness) to perform the mission with a view to recommending ways of improving it. A cross sectional survey of the Nigerian Army servicemen in the two barracks in Enugu Nigeria, was carried out in February 2006. Participants were selected using systematic random sampling. Visual acuity, ocular disease/disorders, use of spectacles and time since last comprehensive eye examination (visual acuity, colour vision, intraocular pressure, visual field, anterior and posterior segment examination) were assessed and a comprehensive eye examination conducted. Four hundred and eighty personnel were examined. The population was predominantly male. Mean age was 37.35+10.6 years and mean length of service 16.05+10.61 years. Of these, 84.6% had never had a comprehensive eye examination, 56.3% had eye complaints, of which 39.3% had sought treatment from various sources; 18.8% were using spectacles majority of which were for near vision only. Of the 64.6% that had participated in peace keeping missions/war, only 21.0% had prior eye examination before deployment. In the population, 13.8% gave a history of eye injuries; only one was war-related. The commonest eye conditions were pingueculum, presbyopia, pterygium, glaucoma, refractive errors, nyctalopia and cataract in descending order. The conditions leading to visual impairment and blindness were refractive errors, glaucoma, cataract, macular disease and trauma. Of the personnel examined, 89.2% were vision ready while 10.8% were not vision ready. A comprehensive eye examination is not conducted as part of the yearly medical examination despite the importance of good vision for mission success. However, a high proportion of the study population were vision ready. A comprehensive eye examination is recommended for all recruits and two-yearly subsequently to ensure optimum vision readiness at all times