Spine and sacroiliac joints a. Current or history of ankylosing spondylitis or other inflammatory spondylopathies (720) is disqualifying. (See para 2-11a.) b. Current or history of any condition, including, but not limited to the spine or sacroiliac joints, with or without objective signs that: (1) Prevents the individual from successfully following a physically active vocation … [Read more...]

Systemic diseases a. Current or history of disorders involving the immune mechanism including immunodeficiencies (279) is disqualifying. Presence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or serologic evidence of infection (042) is disqualifying. Positive Enzyme-Linked Immunoabsorbent Assay test(s) for HIV with ambiguous or inconclusive results on Western Blot testing is … [Read more...]

Tumors and malignant diseases a. Current benign tumors (M8000), or conditions that interfere with function, prevent the proper wearing of the uniform or protective equipment, or will require frequent specialized attention, or have a high malignant potential, such as Dysplastic Nevus Syndrome, are disqualifying. b. Current or history of malignant tumors (V10) is disqualifying. … [Read more...]

In addition to exercise, proper nutrition plays a major role in attaining and maintaining total fitness. Good dietary habits greatly enhance the ability of soldiers to perform at their maximum potential. A good diet alone, however, will not make up for poor health and exercise habits. This chapter gives basic nutritional guidance for enhancing physical performance. Soldiers … [Read more...]

Flexibility is a component of physical fitness. Developing and maintaining it are important parts of a fitness program. Good flexibility can help a soldier accomplish such physical tasks as lifting, loading, climbing, parachuting, running, and rappelling with greater efficiency and less risk of injury. Flexibility is the range of movement of a joint or series of joints and … [Read more...]