Flat feet?

[wrx2006]

I've heard some rumors that if someone has flat feet, as I do, they will not let them join the Marine Corps...Is this true?

[The Sandman]

Ok, I've not heard of this; let us say, for arguments sake, that it is true. I've heard of serious chit being waivered, I think they will allow flat feet lol.

[His_angel]

Don't recall for sure. Think I heard the same thing back when I was trying to enlist. I know they measured the arch of my feet at MEPS. And I had high arches. They fell some during boot and while I was in the Corps. They aren't as high now but far from flat.

[JmikeJr88]

I believe it's a completely false statement. I went to MEPS and I have flat feet pretty bad and as long as you could pass every test they have to give you then your pretty much good. I believe people use that as a way of not signing up rather then saying they did'nt have the balls. Thats just me though

[rktect3j]

My buddy had flat feet and at one point it was a problem in SOI. He went through a lot of chit and in the end he had a form that all he had to do was get signed by a medical officer and they would have let him out for his flat feet. He sucked it up instead.

[LEADEROFMARINES]

I can't speak for MCRD but I'm sure it's the same as PI. When you're in recieving and you're being issued your uniforms, they have you stand on this stool and tell you what type of feet you have. If you've got flat feet then you'll get special "go fasters." It's no big deal! :flag:

[SgtGorman]

Disqualifying for the service because of flat feet. It is true, but case by case. Most of flat feet can be waiver because 65% population has flat feet. Therefore, as long as you can run 3 miles within time limit...there is no reason to deny your request. I do have flat feet, and it hurts when I run...I sucked it up for the last four years...and I made through Sergeant in three years.

When I was an Admin Chief, I separated one Marine that he has flat fleet. The ***** didn't want to suck it up; therefore, the doctor signed of the paper work for separation.

One of my Corporals has flat feet, and he can run 3 miles in 17 minutes. I don't think flat feet is a big issue. LEADEROFMARINES is right, they'll determine your feet...so, you can receive the right shoes.

Semper Fi,

[FooDawg]

Not sure about these days, but my grandfather was DQed in WW2 for having flat feet in the Army.

[Achped]

I have flat feet. And by flat, I mean, holy crikeys batman they're freakin flat. I have *no* arch. None, in fact, I think my arch curves downward instead of upward. I passed MEPS easily. They put on the form the "scientific" name for flat feet. Like aplhus boomus (rofl) I don't know. But they circled right next to it "Asymptomatic" since I obviously can do anything anyone else can.

I don't know why they were DQ'd back in the day, if there's something the DI's, or any other Marine wants me to do, and my feet for some reason hurt, or just simply won't perform correctly because they're flat....I'll still do it.

That's one thing I've feared all my life (as all my life I've wanted to be in the military), that my feet would prevent me from getting in. It wasn't that I'd be afraid I couldn't do what I was asked to, I was afraid it would be an automatic "No" for just having flat feet. I even practiced before going to MEPS, trying to stand a certain way to make it appear as if I had an arch, but that only made my legs and back look crooked. A whole bigger reason to DQ you than your feet.

I don't know why they stopped them back in the day, I, again, have feet as flat as a board and I wear no arch supports or anything like that, never have. I can run as long as my lungs hold out and walk for hours.

[ZaCalles]

Im not sure, but I would guess that you cant. I know when I went to MEPS that the doctor there checked peoples feet, and im assuming that that is one of the things she was looking for.

[Achped]

Im not sure, but I would guess that you cant.

Uhh....

[cplbrooks]

In 1991 it was a DQ at MEPS.

[FooDawg]

Im sure, even if it is a DQ, which it seems Achped has distinguished it isn't anymore, it's completely waiverable. No worries my friend, just keep on pushing forward and you'll get wehre you need ot be.

[Echo_Four_Bravo]

A friend of mine got discharged for flat feet as did a couple of other people in my company. The key here is that they got in, and were later discharged. It is something you can get a waiver for if they notice it, so don't worry about it.

As for the comment about people with flat feet sucking it up... it isn't always that easy. I used to think the same way. But, I have very high arches, which can lead to heel spurs. Since I have developed those, I won't say that people should suck feet issues up. It can make you pretty miserable, even with full orthotics and proper shoes.

[Achped]

Im sure, even if it is a DQ, which it seems Achped has distinguished it isn't anymore, it's completely waiverable. No worries my friend, just keep on pushing forward and you'll get wehre you need ot be.

I apologize guys, I forgot to mention this...

When I was going in, "flat feet" was only a DQ (waiverable though of course) IF you had been previously prescribed orthotics or any type of foot "remedy" for flat feet by a doctor. I had just always known my feet had low arches (They make a farting sound on tile if I stand a certain way lol) but never had it cause me any problems.

Obviously it is on a case by case basis, and my previous post was just letting you know what my case was. I've never had any problems with my feet, and as Echo-4-bravo said if I did I'm sure it'd be alot tougher to "suck it up" than saying it will be. But having grown up my whole life wondering if I'd ever make it in with flat feet, there's no way I'm ever letting that get in the way now that I'm already accepted. No way at all. If I grind my feet into nubs on my ankles I will still run faster than the DI's tell me to. I want that EGA on my collar.

May sound corny, but you try having *everyone* tell you your *entire* life "Flat feet? Oh, forget about the military" and then finally getting in.

Definitely moto for me.

[Adam1988]

I have a minor case of flat feet and I passed just fine, my friend Justin had no arch whatsoever in his feet, and he passed just fine (currently in SD) so I don't think it's that big of a deal..