Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 11/17/2010

Question
Good day Colonel Howell,

I am currently a senior in college working towards my BA in Economics. I have also begun the process of applying to Army OCS. My ASVAB scores are high (92 AFQT and very high line scores). My question pertains to potential disqualification because of pes planus (flat feet).

I never knew I had flat feet until one summer, about 2 or 3 years ago, I was on a 13 mile run and struck my heel into a pretty nasty crack in the side walk. I'm not sure if it was because my shoes were over worn, but the impact essentially bruised my heel and caused a good deal of pain for a while. I saw a podiatrist for caution's sake and as a result he noticed my flat feet. To treat my short term heel pain he gave me naproxen (active ingredient in ibuprofen)and a cortisol injection. He also had me do a course of physical therapy. Since then I have had absolutely no problems with my feet and for the past 2 years have been back to running every day 5-6 miles and all my life I have been a runner. What I am worried about is that my podiatrist prescribed me orthotics to wear in my shoes because i have flat feet. I don't wear them at all (I tried them out, they weren't comfortable to run in) and have no trouble at all walking, running, jumping etc. However, when I was looking up the regulations; under pes planus it stated that any history of pes planus corrected by orthotics is disqualifying.

Since I am not dependent on orthotics should I be ok? The MEPS form that I looked up only inquires about a "need for orthotics" and not just a prescription. Or do you believe that because I was merely prescribed them, my aspiration to be an Army Officer will end there. If I am ok, should I find documentation to support my case or will the "underwear olympics" and duck walk satisfy the MEPS doc?
I'm not sure if it will make a difference, but the only other glitches on my record are: Broken Arm (age 11, no surgery needed, no scar, no complications or hardware), asthma (no sign past age 12, doctor did breathing test and submitted documentation to my recruiter that I show no signs and have no in 15 years), and I wear glasses, but I believe I am within the refractive error limit.

Thank you for your time. I hope I have provided enough detail and I thank you for your insight.

~Nathaniel

Answer
Nathaniel,
Flat feet is one of the hardest medical problems to predict.  MEPS doctors have a lot of leeway and some say strictly no while others let it go.  Most recruits don't say anything about it and see if the doctor discovers it.  Since you have no austere symptoms, I'd be tempted to go that route myself.

The military medical regulations say, "A cause for rejection for appointment, enlistment, and induction is symptomatic pes planus, acquired or congenital or pronounced cases, with absence of subtalar motion."

Your other medical mishaps are of no consequence.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do.
Colonel H