Flat Footed

[senior06]

I am wanting to join the Guard and a friend said that they will not except those who have flat feet...is this true???
hannah

[VTguard]

I am wanting to join the Guard and a friend said that they will not except those who have flat feet...is this true???
hannah

Flat feet (also known as "pes cavis) is a permanent disqualifier if it is considered "symptomatic". The only way to know for sure if you are disqualified, is to have your recruiter take you to MEPS for a physical. If the doctors say it is a problem, you may not be able to join. If you really want to join, you have nothing to lose.

[senior06]

thank you for the reply that clears up a lot of questions.
hannah

[choclab]

I am was told a few years ago when I went to MEPS that I was a little flat footed. They really didn't say much about it. I guess it wasn't really bad. His excact words where "you are just a little flat footed". Thats all. Is this something that can get worse and bar me from enlisting now? I can still run and not get sore. Maybe someone with similar exp. can shed some light on the subject for me.

[VTguard]

Mild flat footedness is not usually something that will prevent you from enlisting or give you significant trouble while running or roadmarching. Flat feet can get worse as time goes by though. To prevent this, you can wear shoes with good arch support in them, or buy arch support inserts to wear in your shoes. This site has a lot of good info on flat feet:

http://www.flatfoot.com/Symptoms.htm

[choclab]

Thanks for the help VTGuard

[Infantry_grunt32]

i have flat feet and made it through fine. they will scan your feet and figure out what kind of boots to issue you, we werent allowed to wear any insoles while in OSUT training at Ft Benning, but what i did was after i was in so much pain i could hardly walk they let me go to the doctor and get custom made arch supports, then after a few days of those i was perfect again.

[choclab]

I have never had any soreness. I started to use the arch supports from the store and I don't really feel a difference. Maybe I won't need anything and the docs won't make a big ***** about it.

[LarryLawler]

Interesting topic. This is a concern of mine. I have flat feet as well, but they really don't bother me. I am prior service trying to get back in, and the time through MEPS, they looked at them, and moved on. I'm wondering if they'll be any issue this time around. I run, walk, do fire/rescue work, and, as long as I can take an occasional break, I'm good for hours at a pop on my feet. Any comments?

[pfc_elfK]

They asked me at MEPS if my flat feet bothered me, and I honestly answered "no". But about half way through BCT, my feet broke down further, and my mom mailed me arch supports. Been wearing them ever since and I haven't had a problem. Might I add that my feet are extreamly flat, they actually broke in BCT, can't remember the name of the type of break it was though. I'm not sure if it will cause me problems this time around or not. But hopefully just adding arch supports to my boots as usual won't be a big deal.

[JohnJones]

i have mildy flat feet, meaning my my foot isn't completely flat but pretty close and i was wondering would i not be able to join the Army National Guard

[Ranger]

Flat feet is not a disqualifier for the National Guard under our current medical enlistment policy. As of right now, you could join with flat feet.

[flatfeet07]

I have flat feet with pain, Can I enlist/join? Can I be drafted?

[sav_OH]

I know in some cases you may need to get a waiver but me being flat footed when I went up to MEPS I just went on about my buisness and nothing was mentioned to me about me being flat footed!!!! Worse case scenerio y ou would get a waiver not that hard to get trust me!!!! Good Luck!!!

[VTguard]

You may be able to enlist depending on how severe the flat-footedness is (if in fact flat-footedness is a word). if they are symptomatic (ie: they hurt when you run long distances or stand on your feel all day long) then you may be disqualified. The only way to tell for sure, is to go to MEPS and take the physical. To answer your question about the draft, you can not be drafted if you are not medically qualified to join. In other words, if you are disqualified at MEPS for flat feet, then you will not be able to be enlist...therefore you can't be drafted.

[All_American_Hell]

At meps, they told us that they didnt disqualify for simply being flatfooted.

Pvt. Tredway

[cookie_07]

If I have flat feet will I be disqualified? They never hurt. Plus, my dad was in the army and he has flat feet

[armyavn]

they used to, I don't think so anymore. They will still check you out though at MEPS and at basic they will have you buy running shoes that will help.

[VTguard]

If I have flat feet will I be disqualified? They never hurt. Plus, my dad was in the army and he has flat feet

Flat feet are only a disqualifier if they are "symptomatic" (ie: they hurt when you run or stand for long periods of time). If that is not the case, then you should be fine.

[cookie_07]

ok thanks. When I was takling to a sgt in my area and he also said it may not automatically disqualify me. I hope not, I really want to join the army to get my life straight.:)