Can You Join the Military with Flat Feet?

The military has a long list of medical conditions that will disqualify you from enlisting. Having flat feet was one of the conditions on the list. This is until the military needed more men to join the army during the Vietnam war and changed the rules. So, does this mean you can join the military with flat feet today?

You can join the military with flat feet if you do not have symptomatic flat feet. People with symptomatic flat feet suffer from chronic physical pain, which can affect their performance by limiting their activity. Symptomatic flat feet can also lead to secondary conditions like knee or spine problems, which is why recruits with this condition cannot join the military.

Flat feet, also known as flatfoot, commonly affect about 25% of Americans. Everybody is born with flat feet, but children grow out of it at around age 6, while some people develop the condition later in life. The good news is that flatfoot is not life-threatening, and most people do not suffer from pain.

Why Were People with Flat Feet Disqualified from Joining the Military?

Historically, people with flat feet were considered to be poor and unhealthy. Besides that, a soldier’s ability to march was considered of utmost importance during the war because it contributed to winning wars. Therefore, doctors paid great attention to foot health, specifically foot structure, and assumed that people with flat feet could not march as well as those with arched feet.

This was until 1914 when a study contradicted that foot structure limits a soldier’s physical ability. Instead, foot function was more important. Foot function, in this case, meant that a soldier with flat feet could walk, run, march and meet all their physical duties just like any other soldier.

Although it took a while, the army became flexible and started accepting recruits with flat feet. However, the severity of your condition will determine whether you are accepted.

Why Can’t I Join the Military with Symptomatic Flat Feet?

There are two main distinctions of flatfoot: asymptomatic and symptomatic.

Asymptomatic flat feet are not accompanied by pain, meaning you can perform your daily physical activities comfortably.

Symptomatic flat feet are the opposite, meaning you suffer from chronic pain and your feet tire easily.

As a soldier, if your feet and body are constantly in pain, you cannot perform some of your physical duties as needed.

For example, military training involves running long distances, going through obstacles, or standing for a long time. Performing these activities can be agonizing if you are in constant pain.

Can I Get a Military Medical Waiver for Symptomatic Flat Feet?

Symptomatic flatfoot is a disqualifying medical condition in the military. However, just like other disqualifying diseases (like Raynaud’s), there might be a chance that symptomatic flat feet are not a permanent disqualification.

Of course, you must disclose to your recruiter that you have flat feet, but it is up to the doctor to determine if your condition is manageable or not.

Keep in mind: You can serve in various capacities within the military. So, even though you do not qualify for front-line combat, you can help your country in another role.

When you go for your medical screening, the doctor will assess how bad your condition is. If your flat feet condition imposes numerous limitations on you, you might not qualify for a medical waiver.

If you have flexible flat feet (arched feet, but the arches disappear when you stand) and show no symptoms, the doctor can recommend you for a medical waiver.

What if I Get Flat Feet After Joining the Military?

Unfortunately, you can get flat feet later in life. It happens when the arches in your feet drop or fall (fallen arches) due to foot injuries. As you know, military service comes with a risk of physical injury regardless of the body part.

If you were to acquire flat feet in the military, you should go to the doctor immediately.

Symptoms can manifest as swelling ankles, foot pain, and back pain because your body is misaligned. Treatment of flat feet does not usually require surgery, meaning you can continue serving in the military with a bit of exercise, medicine, and special shoes or orthotics.

How Do You Know if You Have Flat Feet? (3 Ways)

Regardless of when you develop the condition, knowing whether you have flat feet or not is essential before joining the military.

Since symptomatic flat feet are a disqualifying condition, doctors will look for them during the medical examination to determine your eligibility.

The best way to know whether you have flat feet is to visit a podiatrist. A podiatrist is a medical expert who specializes in foot disorders. A podiatrist’s typical examination for flat feet can include an x-ray, MRI, and a visual inspection.

If you cannot go to a podiatrist, you can do a self-diagnosis at home using the following methods.

The Footprint Test

A footprint test will reveal what type of arch you have on your foot. It can be a very high arch, high arch, normal arch, or flat feet. Follow the steps below to find out;

• Take a white piece of paper and place it on the floor.
• Pour 1.5 inches of water into a baking dish or cooking sheet.
• Submerge your bare foot (without shoes or socks) into the water in the dish.
• Step on the white paper with your wet foot to make a print.

If your foot has a low arch, the print on the paper will be flat, indicating that you have flat feet.

The Tiptoes Test

The tiptoes test requires you to stand on a firm floor on the tips of your toes to see if you have an arch or not. You must have bare feet to do this test accurately.

• Ensure you are standing on a firm floor with bare feet.
• Place your hands on the wall if you need additional support.
• Once you are stable, slowly tiptoe using both feet.

If you do not notice any arch on your feet, you have flat feet. Also, it might indicate flat feet if you cannot stand on your tiptoes for a long time. Remember, one of the symptoms of flat feet condition is tired feet.

Can I Enlist in the Military Again After Disqualification for Flat Feet?

It is very rare for someone to be disqualified from the military because of flat feet. This is because the most common type of flat feet is asymptomatic or flexible flat feet, which are not accompanied by pain or other complications.

However, if you are disqualified for having symptomatic flat feet, you cannot enlist again unless you have a military medical waiver.

If you’ve stuck around for this long I’d like to thank you.

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Joining the Marine Corps or any branch of the military is not for the faint of heart.

It will likely be one of the most challenging things you have ever done, but I can assure you it will be worth it!

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Thanks for stopping by!

Semper Fidelis,

Tony 
Sergeant (Marine Corps Veteran)
For The Corps

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