People often ask: “Why can’t people with flat feet join the army?” Flat feet, commonly known as enormous feet, are when people have flat feet. They cannot walk long distances. Therefore, you cannot join the military with flat feet.
1. Flat feet are a kind of foot deformity disease: There are many classifications according to different standards, such as flexible flat feet and rigid flat feet, pathological flat feet and physiological flat feet, congenital flat feet, and gained flat feet and flat feet has a serious problem.
2. The typical clinical symptoms are that the front of the foot and heel are swaying outwards: The arch of the foot is lowered or disappeared. The sole is flat, and foot pain may occur when walking.
3. Flat feet usually start from adolescence: Flat feet are soft and reversible at the beginning. It means that the feet are normal when they are not walking. Therefore, many people do not know that they have flat feet. Once they stand up and put the feet on the ground, the arches or the soles of the feet disappear.
4. There may be no obvious symptoms in some situations: Sometimes, the feet and calves are easily tired. Especially when walking a long way, it differs from normal people. There are also painful comparisons.
5. It is so severe that you cannot take part in sports activities: We can relieve the pain and swelling of the feet after resting. This situation will change in quality after many years of adulthood and gradually become rigid flat feet.
6. The pain is aggravated and the shape of the foot is stable: No matter whether the foot was exerted, it was a flat plate. And obvious disabilities appeared that seriously affect normal walking and daily life.

Can You Get Into The Military With Flat Feet
People with flat feet cannot be soldiers. It deforms flat feet characterized by the reduction or disappearance of the longitudinal arch of the foot. Flat feet caused by loose ligaments occur in adolescents and have a genetic predisposition.
Mild to moderate asymptomatic patients do not need treatment. In the past, they advocated walking barefoot on the beach and grass, training the calf and foot muscles, increasing the stabilization effect on the intertarsal joints, and improving the longitudinal arch of the foot. We have also recommended wearing various orthopedic shoes or good orthopedic boots for work, hoping to correct flat feet. However, the practice has proved that these measures have no orthopedic effect on flat feet. It can only reduce local discomfort and pain.
Do I Need To See a Doctor And Treatment for Flat Feet?
The foot is like the foundation of a high-rise building. The foundation is unstable and collapsed. The building must be dangerous. Similarly, serious foot problems will cause leg pain, hip pain, lumbar and cervical pain, and thoracic and abdominal visceral problems. So, you cannot ignore your feet. Diseases, especially lifelong diseases like flat feet, need to go to a regular hospital for diagnosis and treatment.
Non-surgical methods can treat flat feet, including functional exercises, orthopedic shoes or , and orthopedic insoles. But most of them are not effective and cannot solve the problem. Only some patients have a slight relief from symptoms. It does not satisfy the doctor with the treatment effect.
With the advancement of medicine, they have also developed the treatment of flat feet. The latest theory can readjust the structure of the foot with surgery. The purpose of surgery is to eliminate clinical symptoms and correct arch deformities. At present, the main surgical treatment is for patients who are over eight years old and have obvious pain when walking to achieve the best orthopedic effect.
After the operation, you can expect to get a normal foot, so that the effect of repairing and supplementing the tendon can be maintained. We restored the structure of the normal foot. Then, the pain is solved, and we can solve the problem.
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Why Do Flat Feet Disqualify You From The Military
The change from soft, reversible flat feet to rigid fixed flat feet is also a change in the anatomical structure of the foot. There are over 20 bones on the foot. Each bone is weirdly shaped, so there must be a variety of rope that binds them together to form and walk.
These ropes are ligaments, commonly known as tendons. Juvenile type or flexible, reversible flat feet are some of these ligaments or tendons that are loose. There are still a few tight, an imbalance, and the bones have not changed. Therefore, in the early stage, the foot deformed when exerting force, and the appearance was normal when resting.
In the late stage, some tendons slowly broke that cannot be reborn. So, the deformity becomes stable. Here, if you continue to use it, bone grinding will occur which will eventually lead to bone damage. Then, it will develop into rigid flat feet in the late stage. Therefore, flat feet are progressively aggravated, and their pathological manifestations are different in different periods.
Flat Feet Military Disqualification
1. Whether you can serve as a soldier depends on the severity of your flat feet. The primary reason is the severity of your flat feet: If you have mildly flat feet that do not affect your exercise, you can join the army.
The impact of flat feet on the body is mainly to be considered. Severe flat feet, let alone being a soldier, few people let you take part in ordinary sports meets. Of course, it also depends on the doctor who helped you with the physical examination. If the doctor thinks it will not affect you, you can go to take part.
If the doctor thinks that your flat feet will affect your body, there is no way. There is no need to mind this. We can adjust slowly flat feet during exercise. If you want to be a soldier, make adjustments as soon as possible.
2. The impact of flat feet on the body: After being a soldier, we must carry out rigorous military training to strengthen our physique. The amount of daily exercise is large. And whether you can withstand the enormous amount of exercise depends entirely on your physical condition.
Flat feet mean that there is no arch, you cannot touch the ground when running on your running shoes, and cannot cushion the force of your body. People with flat feet will be painful to exercise. It is not just flat feet, such as corns and calluses. And they do not meet the Conscription Medical Examination Standards.
Air Force Flat Feet
According to the regulations of the Air Force, the chest must be half of the height. For example, for a person of 1m65, the chest circumference must be over 82 cm to ensure the vital and exhalation capacity of over three liters of air. Pilots also may not have flat feet, low legs, high legs, must be over 75cm long, sitting height is less than 95cm.
In addition, military pilots also have to practice skydiving, so if the soles of the feet are flat, there is no bounce and elasticity when skydiving, which can lead to broken heels and stooped spines.

Can You Join The Airforce With Flat Feet
The first step is for the doctors to check the appearance to screen the candidate. All candidates wear shorts so that the doctor can measure the height and length of the legs and see if the overall balance is right. Unsatisfactory details are flat chest, flat feet, bow legs, hunchback, disproportionate body, and gray hair.
MEPs Dental Disqualifications
When you go to MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) or your DoDMERB (Department of Defense Medical Examination Board) to get medical screening services as an enlisted member of an army officer, you will undergo a comprehensive examination from head to toe. Your vision, hearing, blood pressure, blood work, and even your teeth will be fully screened to determine if you have any medical-related problems that prevent you from completing the service.
The unqualified medical conditions for the mouth and jaw are available below. The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes are listed in parentheses after each standard. Reasons for refusal of appointment, enlistment, and enrollment (unapproved exemption) are a verified history of the following questions. If you have any disease in the oral area, you will be disqualified if someone currently prohibits you from chewing or swallowing.
Diseases of the jaws or related tissues that currently prevent normal function are not qualified. These diseases include but are not limited to temporomandibular joint disorders (524.6) and uncorrected myofascial pain.
If you have any congenital or other injuries that now prohibit you from chewing normally and cannot be repaired by surgery, they will disqualify it. You must undergo surgery before entering the service. It applies to the exemption from entering the service. But as long as the chewing problem is corrected and you can apply for an exemption, the chances of entering the service will increase.
If you have any disease or injury that causes the removal of an adult’s teeth, you will be disqualified if they now prohibit you from chewing normal food. If dental implants are used to correct missing teeth, the military medical community will review the correct procedures to ensure that there are no potential complications in future use.
History Of Flat Feet In The Military in Short
My left foot has a slight arch, and there’s not much I can do about it. I’ve read that the Army is more accepting of flat-footedness than in years past, but it sounds like they still take physical requirements pretty seriously; what are my chances as a recruit with flat feet?
Effective April 2016, the Army updated its policy on allowable medical profiles. In general, the new policies are stricter than those before them. If you have flat feet (or other medical profile issues, like a history of ankle or knee injuries), you should take the time to read the document in its entirety. Here, I will summarize some of the highlights for you.
The Army’s current policy states that recruits with flat-footedness are not required to submit a formal medical profile for medical screening. They may, however, be subject to additional physical requirements or medical screening if they are medically fit to perform those tasks. Therefore, while flat-footedness does not automatically disqualify a recruit, it may result in the recruit having to undergo additional screening processes for physical standards. To be clear: flat feet will not necessarily jeopardize your chances of making it through the Army’s medical screening. They may, however, subject you to further testing before you can be deemed physically fit for military service.
That said, flat feet are often associated with other conditions that might cause a person to fail the Army’s medical screening process. The Army’s profile document states flat feet are sometimes a symptom of another condition, like knee, ankle, or back problems. Therefore, in the event that you have flat feet and you are medically fit for military service, you still may be subject to additional testing.
What kind of testing? You can’t put it all on paper. In the past, recruits with flat feet might have been subjected to additional physical screening during their medical screening process. For example, they may have needed to undergo foot examinations before being cleared to train. That’s not the case anymore.
US Navy’s Policy On Flat Feet
The Navy has a lifting procedure for correcting flat feet that they will allow up to 120 pounds. However, the Army, with its higher standards and stricter requirements, does not have this policy.
It’s important to note that it is also not as common for an individual in the Army to be disqualified based on their feet condition as it is in the Navy, where those who have flat feet are more often discharged from service.
The navy wants you to work more than 16 hours per day. A person in the Navy may be standing for 10-12 hours or even longer. That’s right, 10-12 hours without a break!
US Army Policy On Flat Feet
The US Army has a lifting procedure for correcting flat feet that they will allow up to 100 pounds. However, the Army has much less strict requirements and standards than the Navy does and doesn’t have this policy.
In contrast, it is not as common for an individual in the Army to be disqualified based on their feet condition as it is in the Navy where those who have flat feet are more often discharged from service.
US Marines Policy On Flat Feet
It’s important to note that it is also not as common for an individual in the Army to be disqualified based on their feet condition as it is in the Navy, where those who have flat feet are more often discharged from service.
The Marines do not have a policy on flat feet.
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US Air Force Policy On Flat Feet
If a soldier is stationed in Vicenza, Italy for an 18 month mission, he or she must seek out a military orthopedist who can help provide information and treatment for the condition. US Air Force Commissioned Corps Officers or Noncommissioned Officers who have a history of flat feet may request a waiver after the diagnosis from the base surgeon and base flight surgeon. If the evaluation is positive an individual can apply for their medical waiver.
In terms of treatment, there are multiple options that can be explored including shoe inserts, arch supports, and other types of arch supports. Treatment plans must be approved by the treating physician prior to being implemented.
Coast Guard Policy On Flat Feet
The Coast Guard has been working diligently to meet the needs of its members and provide quality service since Day One. The Coast Guard has many policies that outline employee requirements, including a flat foot policy for Coast Guard personnel. This strict policy states that any member with a history of flat feet or other deformities related to the feet, cannot be permitted to enter or participate in any training course until such time as corrective surgery is administered and deemed medically necessary.
FAQs
Why was flat feet a disqualifying condition?
In 1948, the Army adopted an articulated policy that disqualified men with flat feet from military service. The reason: the Army believed that flat feet would make soldiers footsore, would not be able to perform physical labor and would be prone to fatigue.
The policy applied equally to men without flat feet. Those who had flat feet were given an opportunity to overcome this condition by using arch supports or orthotics during their military service.
What Are Flat Feet?
Flat feet are a condition that can happen when the arch in the foot is not as raised as it should be. This can cause some discomfort and pain, particularly if the condition is severe. Flat feet are diagnosed using a simple test that examines the soles of your feet.
In the military, it is important that flat feet not be misdiagnosed as a different condition. Because of this extra care must be taken by those who administer the exam. These same guidelines also apply if you are seeking a discharge from military service due to flat feet.
Wearing shoes with proper arch support is important not only for people with flat feet but for everyone. Arch support can help to distribute weight more evenly across your feet and relieve pressure on your arches. Check out this article to learn more about why you should wear shoes with arch support.
What Causes Flat Feet?
Flat feet are caused by a variety of disorders that lead to the soft tissue problems in the foot. They can also be caused by congenital abnormalities or a neurological disorder.
Only a small percentage of the population has flat feet. In a study by the National Academy of Sciences, 1% of the population has flat feet, with people who have flat feet being 1.5 to 3 times more likely to have arthritis than those who do not have flat feet. The majority of individuals with flat feet are elderly and are not active enough to show it.
Flat Feet Symptoms
Many people have flat feet, but usually don’t experience any symptoms. The main conditions which may arise as a consequence of flat feet include plantar fasciitis, heel pain, inflammation of the skin between the toes (interdigital erythma), tophi (a cyst in the foot caused by an infection on one side of the foot), and hallux limitus. The main symptom is heel pain caused by strain on muscles and joints during prolonged periods of standing or walking.
How Can I Tell If I Have Flat Feet?
To find out if you have flat feet, stand up. Your foot should rest comfortably on the floor, and your knees should not have to be bent. If you do have flat feet, your arch may collapse when you stand on it. The muscles and tendons in your lower legs are often not as flexible as they should be. Another sign is that your big toe dips slightly into the ground when you walk.
If you are unsure whether you have flat feet or not, you can follow the steps to find out on shoe fitting guide. It is essential to understand your foot type to choose the right footwear and to prevent foot-related injuries.
Can I Still Enlist If I Have Flat Feet?
Yes, you can still enlist if you have flat feet. You just need to meet the Army’s minimum standards.
What Are the Minimum Standards?
The minimum standards for flat feet are no worse than a Grade 2. Grade 2 means your arch is less than 2/3 normal height when standing. The Army also requires that you don’t have any pain or problems in your feet or ankles.
To determine whether you meet the Army’s height and weight requirements, check the charts available on our website. These charts vary depending on gender, age, and height. Additionally, if you’re concerned about meeting the Army’s body fat standards, use our body fat calculator to help you determine whether you meet the minimum standards.
Is There A Cure For Flat Feet?
Some common treatment options for flat feet include stretching, strengthening exercises, and wearing appropriate-sized shoes. However, many treatments haven’t been proven to help over the long term.
Will I Be Able To Join The Army If I Have Flat Feet?
Yes. Just be sure you meet the Army’s minimum standards. If you are close to reaching those standards, you may want to undergo some treatment before joining the Army. It will improve your chance of passing the physical fitness test (especially if you have other health problems), and it could also make basic training more comfortable.