Serious question

Ok ladies and gents,
Dont laugh firstly!

Before I got into my career in finance I always wanted to join the army and in the long wrong hopefully become an officer. I went for the interview and passed it with flying colours. Then the medical.. passed all the usual hearing, seeing tests, blood tests etc... but I was failed on my physical because I have flat feet... I was told to re-apply when I had got it sorted because they had loads of issues in the past with people claiming from the government over their injuries because of it. I was devasted and just chose a different path.

Now as the economy is coming to the crunch work is getting alot worse with people get the sack left right and centre with the general morale of the place I work plummeting. I am really thinking about reapplying.

My questions is;

Is this still a requirement for the army and if it is how can I get it sorted?

NoQuarter

yes flat feet is still an issue, first and foremost get yourself a pair of insoles that will sort it, see a physiotherapist and they will sort you out!

or if you re-apply and cant really sort it, just try stand on the outside of your feet a little more in the physical next time!

By the way, its for your own good, peoples feet do be bad enough walking over every mountain in wicklow all day, god help anyone with flat feet!

Thanks King ,
I'll have a look into the insoles so.

It was wierd, because she just kept starring at my feet and I just had to say is there something wrong. ''Do you have flat feet?'' ''Mmm I dont think so'' ''You have flat feet''

Your probably right because I used to get a ridocously amounts of ingrown toe nails as a young fella.

Rew

How old are you and do you have a 3rd level qualifaction? There are agre criteria that might come in to play against you this time

22 - no just a pretty decent leaving certificate. Went straight into working with a bank after I missed out on this . Done fine for myself since and working in a brokers now but with the economy the way it is I am just thinking about my options and I always wanted to join the army growing up so just wanted to see if its a option or not.

tribulus

28 is the upper limit as far as I know for commencing a cadetship.
25 I think for general entry.

Lockstep

Best of luck with this mate.

concussion

See here for more informationhttp://www.military.ie/careers/index.htm

NoQuarter

yeah have a look here too > http://www.footvibe.co.uk/flat_foot.htm and hit google up.

next time you get out of the shower and you make a wet footprint, see if you can make one with the middle bit of the print missing as if the arch of your foot wasnt touching the ground, then youll know what way to try make your feet look in the physical, although im not sure if this is even possible!

Grand,
Thanks for all the advice/support lads. I'll have a look into all the suggestions anyways. Just about to watch the Usual Suspects here

KINGPIN

i got insoles about 3 weeks ago , moulded to my feet cost €360

you put your foot in a foam box and its set off to be made. vhi does`nt cover it, bupa covers some of it. (quinn direct < ?)

couple things i asked her.

are the ones pre -made any good?
to a certain extent. need ones moulded to prevent problems later on

that would be back pain ,posture etc...

they sturdy?
made out of plastic used in planes they are rock solid just dont leave it beside anything hot can warp etc..

uncomfortable at the start takes 2 weeks to break em in but well worth it, you`ll notice a difference walking running etc and it can only do good
you`ll stand straighter and adds a wee bit of height. insole is only as good as the shoe ,so get a runner/shoe with a wide base. she would explain all that to you anyways

i didnt know flat feet was an issue my applications gone in hope i wont be refused on this either.

any questions about insoles just post below ,il see what i can answer.

segaBOY

Happened to someone I know when he was applying for a cadetship, was told by the Dr. to go away and get insoles, got them made up and then was allowed to continue onto his cadetship.

Not a major problem once you get it sorted, will serve you better later on in life anyway as flat feet can cause serious back pain.

Cato

KINGPIN wrote: »

i got insoles about 3 weeks ago , moulded to my feet cost €360

you put your foot in a foam box and its set off to be made. vhi does`nt cover it, bupa covers some of it. (quinn direct < ?)

couple things i asked her.

are the ones pre -made any good?
to a certain extent. need ones moulded to prevent problems later on

that would be back pain ,posture etc...

they sturdy?
made out of plastic used in planes they are rock solid just dont leave it beside anything hot can warp etc..

uncomfortable at the start takes 2 weeks to break em in but well worth it, you`ll notice a difference walking running etc and it can only do good
you`ll stand straighter and adds a wee bit of height. insole is only as good as the shoe ,so get a runner/shoe with a wide base. she would explain all that to you anyways

i didnt know flat feet was an issue my applications gone in hope i wont be refused on this either.

any questions about insoles just post below ,il see what i can answer.

i was told i had fallen arches but not flat feet (at least not permanent) were should i go to get some proper advice on how to sort it out, and were do i go to get some moulded suports like you?

NoQuarter

Cato wrote: »

i was told i had fallen arches but not flat feet (at least not permanent) were should i go to get some proper advice on how to sort it out, and were do i go to get some moulded suports like you?

a physiotherapist gave me advice and got me some insoles too, i think they are expensive enough but the army paid for mine!

Cato

so you got your insoles after you started the army, interesting...

NoQuarter

yeah but i didnt have flat feet, cant really remember what the problem i had was but i think my knees were in bits from running or somethin like that!

KINGPIN

you need too see a chiropodist ( foot doctor) , there is only a few in the country they deal only with feet. cost me €40 to see her and she moulded my feet the same day.

she said i should have had them since i was 10, flat feet = fallen archs , the foot looks flat because the arch supporting it is either not there or too weak.
some people are born with it , while others develop it over time because the arch is weak and eventually offers no support.

the ones in the shops only go so far need the moulded ones to prevent future damage, you might feel fine now but in time to come you will have back problems , knee`s etc.

Cato

could you list or give me a link to any chiropodists in the country so i can check it out? thanks:)

KINGPIN

i ment podiotrist , chiropodist is nails

http://www.podiatryireland.com/

Cato

much apreciated