Wear Orthodontic Braces & Want To Join The United States Military? Here's What You Need To Know!

Posted on: 13 September 2017

To enlist in the United States military, there's a process you have to go through which includes one or two days of activities at MEPS (military entrance processing station), which includes in-depth aptitude testing and an intense medical physical. If you pass the qualifications of the testing and physical, you can then select your job, swear in, and choose an initial training entry date, which is when you will get shipped off to boot camp or basic training.

One thing that can delay your entry date into the military is if you wear orthodontic braces. Here's what you need to know if you currently wear orthodontic braces, or soon will be, and are planning on enlisting in the United States Armed Forces. 

Braces will not disqualify you from enlisting at MEPS

Wearing braces is not a medical disqualifier at MEPS. Even if you go to MEPS with braces, the physician giving you the medical examination will not disqualify you from enlistment. However, there is a section in the screening paperwork that asks if you were braces or plan to. If so, you will need to have your orthodontist submit a letter stating that your treatment will be completed before your active duty date, which is when you start boot camp or basic training.

If your treatment will continue for some time after you enlist, you will be placed in the Delayed Entry Program. If your orthodontic treatment end date changes during the time you are in DEP, you will need to keep your recruiter informed so he or she can update this information in the system. 

However, you cannot wear braces during initial military training 

In most cases, you can wear braces while in the military, depending on deployment and assignment. However, you cannot go to your initial training while wearing braces. Therefore, you will need to have the braces removed before you ship off to boot camp or basic training. You can, however, wear retainers during your initial training in the military, because retainers are removable at any time. The reason for this is because of the conditions and physical nature of going through such extreme training.

Imagine rolling around in the dirt and gravel while wearing braces or firing your weapon and the butt of the rifle kicks up into your cheek or—worse—getting smashed in the face with a pugil stick during close combat training. Not fun. If you would like to enlist in the military and currently wear braces or soon will be, speak with your orthodontist about how to accelerate your orthodontic treatments. 

Visit a site like https://www.kazorthodontics.com for more help.

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