Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 10/17/2009

Question
Will I be able to join the marines if I fractured my hand and had a plate and screws put in? I talked to my recruiter and he said as long as there is no limit to range of movement I should be fine I would just like to clarify and know for sure.

Answer
Mitchel,

I assume you're talking about the USMC and not CEFCOM because I noticed your question originates from Canada.

Your recruiter is basically correct.  The military medical regulations say exactly,

"The causes for rejection for appointment, enlistment, and induction are:

(4) Hand:

(a) Pronation to 45 degrees.

(b) Supination to 45 degrees.

(5) Fingers and thumb: inability to clench fist, pick up a pin, grasp an object, or touch tips of at least three fingers with thumb.

b. Hand and fingers.

(1) Absence of the distal phalanx of either thumb.

(2) Absence of distal and middle phalanx of an index, middle, or ring finger of either hand, irrespective of the absence or loss of little finger.

(3) Absence of more than the distal phalanx of any two of the following fingers: index, middle finger, or ring finger of either hand.

(4) Absence of hand or any portion thereof except for fingers as noted above.

(5) Polydactyly.

(6) Scars and deformities of the fingers or hand that are symptomatic or that impair normal function to such a degree as to interfere with the satisfactory performance of military duty.

(7) Intrinsic paralysis or weakness, including nerve palsy sufficient to produce physical findings in the hand such as muscle atrophy or weakness.

(8) Wrist, forearm, elbow, arm, or shoulder. Recovery from disease or injury with residual weakness or symptoms such as to preclude satisfactory performance of duty, or grip strength of less than 75% of predicted normal when injured hand is compared with the normal hand (non-dominant is 80% of dominant grip)."

So basically if can meet these standards you're good to go.  Just stay away from magnets.

Thanks for wanting to join.
Colonel H