[The Reaper]

I am going to have to take exception to Dozer's advice in this case and advise you to be completely honest in your application. That is in the medical advice portion of the stickies as well. Boots are inspected during the shakedown, even if you lied, or a doctor signed off on your waiver request.

You seem to have missed my earlier comment as well, that you can probably get into the Army, but are not going to get into SF with that injury. I had a roommate with orthotics from a broken ankle and he lost his Infantry branch selection, winding up in the Transportation Corps.

You also might want to read our comments on various other threads about how people with significant physical limitations can cost their team in either mission accomplishment or even lives when someone with a predictable injury goes down. It has been flogged to death, but people who are blind, deaf, colorblind, crippled, lame, disabled, etc. are not an asset when you are on a short team already, humping the Hindu Kush, something breaks or gives out, and the team has to carry you and your gear the rest of the way, or abort their mission and MEDEVAC you out.

A person who is injured after serving on an ODA can possibly continue to serve in other positions for the duration of their career. SF soldiers tend to collect injuries along the way, and we all wear out eventually. Heavy loads and long distances accelerate the process, even if we start completely healthy. Those who attempt to start with a serious injury are not doing anyone a good service. You will break something, it is just a matter of time.

BTW, you will likely do more than 60 lbs for 50 miles in four days in Selection, and double that load and distance on a team.

It is called Special Forces for a reason. Think about it before you risk your life and others. There is no dishonor in serving your country in another capacity.

TR