I had pins put in my ankle when I was 12 will the Marines still accept me?

I’m sure they will. You’d just have to talk to the recruiter. If you are determined to be fully physically ready it shouldn’t be a problem.

I think so also. Talk to a recruiter.

So… reading about peoples experiences at the Military Entrance Processing Station (is there nothing people won’t blog about) I’m gonna guess that it won’t be too much of a problem assuming you have the full normal range of movements with the limb and it doesn’t cause you any pain. A couple of people have said that the recruiteer may tell you not to list certain conditions as he or she doesn’t want it to hold up your processing but if it is discovered you omitted something you will be in trouble. Any surgery on the joints will probably require you submit the medical reports (discharge summary, surgeons report, x-rays etc) to the recruiter. At the actual phyisical they will get you to perfom routine movements (waving the arms, walking, jumping, crouching etc) to see if you have a full range of motion and it doesn’t cause you pain.

From the DOD list disqualifying medical conditions regarding fractures (Im guessing thats why they pinned your ankle?)
Retained hardware (733.99) (including plates, pins, rods, wires, or screws used for fixation) is not disqualifying if fractures are healed, ligaments are stable, there is no pain, and it is not subject to easy trauma. So even if the pin was there it would necessarily be a problem as long it wasn’t causing you a problem.

Also you have to remember that even if you are disqualifed on medical grounds you can get a medical waiver for anything (except seafood allergies if you want to join the coast guard – seriously is that all the US coast guard eat?) although actually getting the waiver depends on how much the service branch your applying for wants you and what the condition was.

I agree with Lightlyseared. No matter what you do, disclose it! Disclose it in writing on your medical history paperwork. If you fail to disclose it, the government services will not only abandon you and your related disabilities but I suspect they will discharge you as “undesirable” if such a thing exists. Hurt your ankle while in service they might disallow any claims. Get hurt bad enough, I am sure the VA will challenge it too. Fraud may be hard to prove but they might invoke that. It is not worth it, period. Also, when they give you tests upon entry, do the best you are able to do. That test follows your 201 file and may determine your in service potential. Good luck