The laws of a particular country are typically what determine the rules regarding physical requirements for entry into the military.

Military applicants are turned away for a variety of reasons, including anemia and hemorrhagic disorders. However, did you know that exhibiting symptoms of flat feet or having them can prevent you from enlisting? Although it seems absurd, it is entirely true.

So can you get into the military with flat feet? Why is it not allowed? The rest of this article will go into more detail on these points. For more information, keep reading!

What Are Flat Feet?

When the arch of the foot is lower than the ground, or in some cases completely flat and touching the ground, it is referred to as having flat feet or pronated feet, which reduces the body’s capacity to absorb shock. Flat feet is the term used to describe them in science. The nearby structures are impacted when the arch is flattened. The lower back, knees, hips, ankles, and feet are some of these structures. Due to the increased stress on nearby structures caused by the change in foot position, this is the case.

There are two main types of flat feet: rigid flat feet and flexible flat feet. Flat feet do vary from person to person. The term “flexible flat foot” refers to a flat foot that performs normally during gait but does not hurt the foot.

Syndesmosis (or natural fusion) and other abnormal foot development, including stiff flat feet, are frequently brought on by these conditions.

What Leads To Flat Feet?

Flat feet are regarded as a completely normal condition that typically appears during the infant stage of growth and doesn’t call for surgery or other types of treatment.

In actuality, by the time they are 4 to 5 years old, most infants’ flat feet have gradually developed into arches. (Reference: 3)

Other causes include:

• Genetics:  You have a good chance of inheriting flat feet if one (or both) of your parents did.
• Weak Arches: In a patient with a weakened arch, flat feet will be visible while they are standing, but arches will be visible while they are sitting.
• Flatfoot in Adults (PTTD):  Obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and surgery on the posterior tibial tendon are additional conditions that can result in collapsed arches.

Can Flat Feet Be Fixed?

People with flat feet in general don’t need to be fixed; they just need to be improved. If we can increase a flat foot’s overall function and that of the structures around it, we can reduce the risk of injury. Visit your neighborhood podiatrist, who can examine your arch and its supporting structures, as soon as possible. They can create a management strategy to improve the function of the feet based on that assessment, which may include a strength and conditioning program, footwear, and insoles/orthotics.

Can You Get Into The Military With Flat Feet?

Flat-footed people cannot serve in the military. The longitudinal arch of the foot is reduced or completely absent in flat feet, which are deformed. Adolescents are more likely than adults to develop flat feet from loose ligaments due to genetic predisposition.

Patients who are mild to moderately asymptomatic do not require medical attention. In the past, they encouraged barefoot walking on the grass and sand, strengthening the calf and foot muscles, enhancing the stabilizing effect on the intertarsal joints, and enhancing the longitudinal arch of the foot. In an effort to treat flat feet, we have also suggested wearing a variety of orthopedic shoes or good orthotic boots while working. The reality is that these measures have no orthopedic benefit for flat feet, as the practice has shown. It only helps with localized discomfort and pain.

Why Can’t Someone With Flat Feet Join The Military?

They are problems because the military can be a very physical and physically demanding job. Because they are essential for supporting your body during movements like running, your feet have a significant impact on this. In the military, dropped arches can only be a problem if they are symptomatic and endanger your health and safety. Depending on your military position, this could be a problem. For example, if you’re on the front lines, you might find yourself in risky or challenging circumstances anywhere in the world. You might be slowing down your troops and possibly endangering them if your flat feet are frequently very painful. Long marches and running are additional Army training health and fitness requirements that could potentially injure recruits because they frequently experience arch and heel pain from falling arches.

But if you have flat feet or other mobility issues, there are military jobs that you can apply for that don’t even require you to stand.

Military Disqualification of Flat Feet

1. Depending on how severely you have flat feet, you may or may not be able to join the military. The severity of your flat feet is the main cause: You can join the army if your slightly flat feet have no impact on your ability to exercise.

The effects of flat feet on the body should be prioritized. Few people will allow you to participate in regular sporting events if you have severely flat feet, let alone if you are a soldier. Naturally, it also depends on the medical professional who assisted you with the physical examination. You may go and participate if the doctor believes it won’t harm you.

There is no way, according to the doctor, that having flat feet will have an impact on your overall health. There’s no need to worry about this. While exercising, we can gradually reposition our flat feet. Make changes as soon as you can if you want to serve in the military.

2. Flat feet’ effects on the body include: To build up our bodies after serving as soldiers, we must go through demanding military training. Daily exercise is substantial. It also entirely depends on your physical condition and whether you can handle the intense amount of exercise.

No arch, inability to touch the ground while wearing running shoes and inability to absorb the force of your body are all symptoms of flat feet. It will hurt to exercise for those with flat feet. The issue extends beyond calluses and corns on the feet. Furthermore, they don’t meet the standards for the conscription medical examination.

How to Treat For Flat Feet?

In your podiatry appointment, your foot doctor will observe you walking and running to fully assess your gait pattern. They will also lead you through a series of exercises to assess the strength of your muscles, tendons, and ligaments, such as calf raises and single-leg balance. Every exercise will directly relate to foot function in order to identify any areas of concern that require special attention in a strength and conditioning regimen. Additionally, all of the intrinsic foot muscles that support your medial longitudinal arch will be directly evaluated and tested. You can be prescribed exercises like toe yoga to increase your innate strength. A program tailored just for you can be created by your podiatrist. Depending on your gait pattern, they might consider an orthotic intervention. By using an insole, we can correct the foot’s alignment, enabling the structures to function as intended and the foot as a whole to function properly. To find out if any of these treatment options might be appropriate for you, consult your podiatrist.

Conclusion

Numerous diseases and conditions can result in soft tissue issues in the foot, which is what causes flat feet. Additionally, congenital abnormalities or a neurological condition may be to blame.

As you’ve read, if you have flat feet that are symptomatic, you cannot join the military; however, if they are asymptomatic, you may. You should speak with your doctor and the recruiter to find out if you are ineligible to join the military.

Tags: Flat Feet, Military