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Can you join the Army without a finger?

Yes, it is possible to join the Army without a finger. The U.S. Army has specified guidelines that, depending on the severity of the case and the finger affected, will determine if an individual is qualified to serve.

Generally, those who have lost a single finger or partial finger will still be allowed to enlist and serve. However, if an individual has lost more than one finger, or has suffered other significant hand injuries, they may be disqualified from service.

Though some considerations may be placed on individuals with missing or partially missing digits, the qualification of service is still determined by a medical professional, who is the only person that can determine if an individual is able to serve.

In some cases, those who have lost a finger may still be disqualified from service, such as pilots who are expected to have greater manual dexterity.

Can I join Army if my hand is broken?

No, you cannot join the Army if you have a broken hand or any other impairment or disability that does not meet the Armed Forces’ entry requirements. You must meet the physical standards established by the Department of Defense for the Armed Forces.

These standards are in place to ensure that all recruits, who will be responsible for defending the country, have the physical ability to engage in military operations with peers of similar abilities.

As part of the entry physical, your hands will be examined for strength, range of motion, and to ensure that all digits are intact. If any requirements are not met, then you will not be accepted to enlist in the Army.

Can you join the military if you have broken a bone before?

Yes, you can join the military if you have broken a bone before. However, the degree to which a broken bone affects your ability to join the military depends upon the severity of the injury. If the broken bone has healed properly, has not caused ongoing medical problems, and does not prevent you from conducting physical requirements for basic training, then it should not be a problem.

The military does have a minimum physical capabilities requirement to enter and serve in each of the branches. During the military medical screening process, any health issues, such as a history of broken bones, may be taken into account.

The military also evaluates any limitations that may be caused by the injury. This evaluation is used to gauge whether you’re fit to perform all duties asked of a member of the military.

If the broken bone was severe and would require special accommodations to fulfill the activity standards, then you may be disqualified from military service. Depending on the branch and the severity of the injury, you may have the option of applying for a medical waiver that can allow you to continue with military service.

The waiver is meant to assess the current medical condition and compare it to the prospected military service.

Overall, having a broken bone should not stop you from joining the military – but it’s important to keep in mind that there are certain criteria that must be met in order to be eligible for military service.

What injuries keep you out of the military?

The kinds of injuries that can disqualify a person from joining the military vary depending on the location, branch of the military and the severity of the injury. Some of the most common injuries that can keep someone out of the military include vision or hearing impairments, psychiatric disorders, and musculoskeletal issues such as back problems.

Other issues, such as a lack of upper body strength, can also be disqualifying. In addition, any medical condition that requires frequent medication or has the potential to cause a disability or limit one’s ability to complete training or fulfill duties can also be disqualifying.

Leaving a training program in the military once it is started may also be grounds for disqualification. Additionally, the military may deny access to those with a history of drug or alcohol abuse, violent behavior, or convictions for serious crimes.

No matter the specifics of the injury, the recruit will have to obtain a medical waiver from their home country’s military recruitment office before they can enlist. Each country’s military has its own standards and requirements, so any potential recruits should visit their country’s military website or enlistment office for more information.

Why can’t you just quit the Army?

Leaving the Army is anything but simple. The Army is an all-volunteer force, and those who join it must first sign a contract that commits them to serve for a certain period of time. The military has very strict regulations regarding when and how a service member is allowed to separate from the service, and failure to follow the proper procedures will result in that service member facing disciplinary action.

The general process of separating from the Army is referred to as discharge. Including Honorable Discharge, General Discharge, Other Than Honorable Discharge, and Bad Conduct Discharge. The type of discharge will determine whether the veteran retains full military benefits, such as healthcare, educational assistance, and VA home loans.

Generally the Army will only grant discharge to those who have served their commitment or meet the criteria of specific circumstances.

Legally, an individual can leave the Army at any time, but it is not advised. According to the Department of Defense, a service member who leaves prior to completing the commitment may be subject to both legal and administrative action.

In many cases, separation prior to completion of the military’s service commitment can result in a loss of benefits, in addition to being deemed AWOL (absent without leave) or desertion, both of which are punishable offenses.

In conclusion, due to the legalities, strict regulations, and possible repercussions associated with leaving the Army, it is not possible to simply quit. It is important for those considering leaving the Army to understand the complexities of their legal commitment and the consequences associated with leaving before their service commitment is complete.

What does the military not accept?

The military typically does not accept applicants it considers negatively, such as those not meeting physical and mental health standards, those who have committed a crime or a serious offense, those who can not pass the aptitude tests, those with a history of drug or alcohol abuse, those with tattoos that are deemed inappropriate, and those with evidence of extreme political views.

In addition, the military does not accept those who are unable to commit to a significant period of service such as those who are married and can not deploy certain types of military duty and those who have dependents or minors in the household.

Furthermore, those who are currently under medical treatment or who have not fully recovered from an injury or illness may be ineligible to join the military.

How far back does the military check medical records?

The military checks medical records as far back as required to accurately assess an applicant’s physical health and mental stability. Generally, the military will pull medical records for any medical treatments or visits related to any condition that is relevant to a recruit’s ability to serve.

This could include records from college health centers, sports physical evaluations, doctor visits, hospital stays, and other treatments or evaluations. Depending on the condition, the military may need to access records from a span of several years.

For instance, if the recruit has suffered from an ongoing condition such as asthma, military examiners may need to review records going back to when the recruit was diagnosed.

The military also requires medical records when a recruit is prescribed any medications, such as antidepressant or anti-anxiety medications. In this case, they would need to see proof of a prescription and details of the recruit’s use of the medication, such as the dosages, durations, and refill histories.

Therefore, even though there is no definite timeline when it comes to the military pulling medical records, it is safe to assume that they could require records from any far back date that they deem relevant to their assessment.

What is the most common military injury?

The most common type of injury among military personnel is a musculoskeletal injury (MSI). Musculoskeletal injuries are caused by the heavy physical stress placed on the body while performing military duties.

Common musculoskeletal injuries include knee, shoulder, and back problems, as well as tendonitis. Muscle strain and joint dislocation are also very common. Poor physical conditioning, prolonged exposure to top physical exertion, and inadequate warm-up can all contribute to the risk of musculoskeletal injury.

The second most common type of injury among military personnel is traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBIs are caused by exposure to blasts or collisions that can cause damage to the brain, often resulting from combat operations.

Symptoms of TBI range from mild to severe, and include physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral changes.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is also increasingly common among service members. PTSD affects those who have experienced a traumatic event or a dangerous situation, and can cause long-term psychological issues such as flashbacks, nightmares, and depression.

What disqualifies you from the military draft?

The U.S. military has certain criteria that disqualifies individuals from being drafted. Certain medical and physical conditions, such as AIDS/HIV, Sickle Cell Anemia, Diabetes, and Asthma may disqualify potential recruits from entering into military service.

Certain mental health disorders can disqualify recruits as well. Some attainable examples are Anorexia Nervosa, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, and major depressive disorder.

Other factors that could disqualify an individual from being recruited into the military draft include age, citizenship status, & criminal activity. For instance, the military draft in the U.S. only applies to men ages 18 through 25 years old.

Therefore, men younger or older than this will be automatically disqualified. Similarly, individuals who are not U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents will also be disqualified from being drafted.

Lastly, individuals who have committed serious criminal offenses may be disqualified from joining the military.

Additionally, evidence suggests that if you are already employed you may not be eligible for a draft. Individuals who can demonstrate that their civilian employment plays a critical role in the economy, or an essential governmental function for the benefit of society, are exempted from the draft.

Therefore, if you can prove that you are an essential part of the workforce, then you may be able to avoid the draft.

Can MEPS see your medical records?

No, MEPS, which stands for Military Entrance Processing Station, is not able to view your medical records. The only information they typically need and are allowed to access is information that you provide on the medical history portion of the medical exam.

This includes things such as medical history, family medical history, immunization records, hearing and vision test results, and a limited physical exam. This information is kept on file and only accessed when necessary.

MEPS personnel are not allowed to view any records that your physician or other medical personnel may maintain unless they receive your explicit permission to do so.

Why will the military reject you?

The military can reject you for a variety of reasons, such as having a criminal record, failing the physical fitness test, testing positive for drugs, having a medical condition that would result in a waivers being denied, or not meeting educational requirements.

Criminal records are a common reason for being rejected, as the military wants people of good character who will adhere to their regulations and rules. Drug testing is also an important requirement, as the military does not allow people under the influence to serve in the military.

Additionally, meeting certain physical and educational criteria is a must for successful enlistment, so if you are not able to pass the physical fitness tests or meet the educational requirements, you could be rejected.

Lastly, some medical conditions can prevent you from working in certain roles in the military. If you have a pre-existing condition that may require a waiver and the waiver is not granted, you may be rejected from enlisting.

How tall is too tall for the military?

The required minimum and maximum height for applicants to join the U.S. military is 4′10″ (148 cm) to 6′8″ (203 cm). Any heights that are below 4′ 10″ (148 cm) or above 6′ 8″ (203 cm) would not be allowed to join the military, as they would not meet the standards that the military has in place.

Additionally, you must keep in mind that if your height falls into the range of 4′10″ (148 cm) to 6′8″ (203 cm), you still have to meet other requirements such as having 20/20 vision, being free of any major medical conditions, and in good physical shape in order to join the military.

Who gets drafted first for war?

When a country goes to war, its military personnel who can fight will generally be the first people to be drafted, if that country uses a draft system. Typically, the military personnel who are most able and will receive the most training and resources to perform their duties in combat are chosen first.

Those who have experience in the army, have had medical training, or have technical expertise might be considered first. The military may also prioritize people who are physically fit and able to stand up to the rigors of war.

In some situations, entire age or gender groups are chosen to be drafted. For instance, during World War II, citizens from the United States between the ages of 21 and 35 were eligible to be drafted.

Can you be in the military with metal implants?

Yes, you can be in the military with metal implants. Generally, any metal or metal alloy implants that have been implanted in the human body are considered acceptable for military service. However, any metal implant or implant material that is not approved by the Defense Health Agency may need to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by your military healthcare provider.

According to the Defense Health Agency regulations, metal implants are generally allowed as long as they are not the only factor that would jeopardize the health of the individual or the mission of the military service.

In cases of metal implants, it is the healthcare provider’s responsibility to evaluate the acceptable risk and recommend procedures to minimize the risk for military service. Ultimately it is up to the individual’s military healthcare provider to determine if the metal implant is appropriate for military service.

What is unfit for military service?

Anyone who is unable to meet the physical, mental and security requirements for military service may be deemed unfit for military service. In general, individuals with serious medical conditions, learning disabilities, mental health disorders, poor physical fitness levels, and criminal records may be disqualified from eligibility.

Additionally, military personnel must also meet age requirements, have an adequate moral character, be adequately educated, and pass a security background check. Those who are not U.S. citizens may also be disqualified or deemed unfit to serve.

Resources

  1. Can I join any branch of the US military if I am missing fingers?
  2. Medical Standards for Military – Upper Extremities
  3. Is missing a finger a disqualification ? : r/Militaryfaq – Reddit
  4. Medical Conditions That Can Keep You from Joining the Military
  5. How to Get a Medical Waiver to Join the Military (Podcast 012)