Are bunions and/or flat feet disqualifying?

Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 18:18:26 -0500

I am thinking about applying for NUPOC or applying for OCS after graduation. However, I heard mixed answers to whether bunions, in particular, are disqualifying. I know that I can try to get a medical waiver, but how likely would it be accepted?

I have bunions on both my feet, and my feet are extremely flat. I wear shoe inserts when I run, but other than that, neither of them have ever bothered me. I run 50-60 miles a week and lift regularly.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2018 6:22 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 18:22:40 -0500

See DoDI 6130.03. It states what is medically disqualifying and waiverable.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2018 8:51 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 20:51:24 -0500

Good morning ma'am, I haven't seen anything in the regulation about bunions being a disqualifier, but I did see pes planus (flat feet) being so. The truth is from experience, all depending on your preexisting condition is, how serious, and if the recruiter need to make numbers, will dictate if the Army give you a waiver, disqualify or downgrade your condition. If a potential recruit has a preexisting condition that could potentially cause serious damage or death due to stressors of military activities, the Army 99.9% of the time will not accept the liability and disqualify. But if you have a condition like flat feet, the MEPs will document and ignore. When I came in the Army, I was under weight at 112lbs, so they gave me a waiver, but I didn't know I had flat feet until 19 military years later after I went to podiatrist due to feet, back, knees, and hip problems that developed over the years. When I tracked down copies of MEPs record, it was marked on paperwork that I had moderate/asymptomatic pes planus. The doctor told me to stand and turn in certain positions, but never mentioned anything that I had flat feet....Being 17years old and fresh recruit at the time, i didn't know anything about flat feet or army regulation........ Another regulation they use at MEPs is AR 40-501 Standard of medical fitness...... I think new recruits fall either in chapter 1 or 2.............. it will tell you what's disqualifying from head to toe.........

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2018 9:32 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 21:32:31 -0500

It would be up to the doctor at MEPS. I have flat feet but they’ve never caused me any problems and I’ve never had to see a doctor for any foot related issues. I’m not sure if having insert orthotics is DQ or not. Someone who knows the regs better might know. I would hit up a recruiter and they can tell you more.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2018 11:12 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 23:12:31 -0500

I have both of these things and I already served and am about to again. Once you go through meps just don’t point them out. If they ask you if they bother you be honest with them, but it sounds like you’re fine. As long as you have full range of motion and are able to use your feet properly, worse case scenario you get a waiver.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2018 3:03 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 15:03:20 -0500

In the Army flat feet aren’t disqualifying as long as you don’t have other underlying issues. My feet are almost pancake flat and I had no issues when enlisting or during my commissioning physical. All the doctors said was you feet are very flat but structurally sound otherwise.

Response by Ranger White made Jan 15 at 2019 2:03 AM

Ranger White — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 02:03:28 -0500

Flat fleet is a no go . Unless you get a waiver somehow best of lucks !