Expert: Rod Powers - 12/15/2007

Question
Hello, I have a few question regarding the requirements for joining the Marines. I have recently just turned 18. I have spent several years reading the qualifications to becoming a Marine and it is something I truly want to do.

I know of a few problems I might face and can't really seem to find answers for them. I am extremely Far-sited, I wear contacts and my glasses correct my vision as well but I can't seem to find any charts on eye sight requirements as what power each eye can be not to mention I have astigmatism on top of that. My Grandfather was in the Marines back in the 50s and he has told me not to even bother thinking about the military due to having flat-feet... I don't know if it is a big deal or not and I have not read anything on this matter which makes me believe it is not a big deal.

I also have a few teeth that are cracked/have cavities. I have had them for years and they have never bothered/impaired me so I have never had anything done about them. I know there is a load of disqualifications but again I have not found anything really in dental related subjects that may disqualify me. (not for a lack of looking, it just seems that military pages ramble on about things)

Another downside, I have been home-schooled (8th-12th and I am in my last year of school now). I have talked with my mother about my High school diploma. She says I should be able to get one... well I am not positive on this thought at the moment. I guess my bottom line is a GED sufficient worse case scenario ? I think I will be fine but just incase, I have read the article you have put up and it talks about GEDs but with a war on I get a tiny itchy feeling in my side that they don't class it so badly at the moment due to a lack of enlistees. My personal hope is to get a diploma cause I would like to go to collage with a course in Criminal Justice sometime in the next decade.

I have talked with a Marines recruiter over the phone about six months ago and told him what I would like. And he seemed thrilled with my choice (0311)- doesn't surprise me because it is the bottom of the barrel meat and potatoes that no one wants and I would be the one interested.

While I do have a few dental//eye sight//possible diploma issues. I have a clean record, I have never been arrested//fined (and I do drive). I have never been diagnosed with a medical condition and/or mental illness. I have never done drugs. While I am not in the best physical shape I have been reassured by recruiter that he wouldn't let me leave unless he was sure I could handle Basic and besides I would get myself into better shape before I signed anything anyways.

As much as I would hate to see one disqualify me... the only way I will know is to ask. Granted I know it would be best to talk it all over with a recruiter... I find that I just haven't had the time between school and work.

Sorry for the long drawn out story here.
And thanks for taking some time to read this and the info you have wrote up has been very helpful... I would have a lot more Questions then I currently do if I hadn't found your documentation on about.com.

Thanks again--
-Dustin

Answer
Hi Dustin,

Medical conditions which are potentially disqualifying for military service can be found on my site at: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/intmedstandards.htm

Vision requirements for entry into any of the services can be found in the section for "Vison" at: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/eyes2.htm

The standards for dental can be viewed at: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/dental.htm In my experience, in order to be disqualified for dental conditons, your teeth would have to be very, very, very bad. From what you've described to me, I don't think you'll meet the level for "disqualification" for dental.

Your education program could very well be a factor. The Marines accept very few GED's for enlistment (a maximum of about 5 to 10 percent each year). That doesn't necessarily mean "all is lost." If your home-school is determined to be on the same level as a GED, you can attend college courses, and get at least 15 college courses, and -- for enlistment education level -- you would then be considred to be in the same enlistment category as a high school diploma holder.

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my U.S. Military Information site at: http://usmilitary.about.com

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com