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I'm currently in my junior year and I'm enlisting as soon as I graduate which is about June of '22, and depending on the coronavirus of course, but if it doesn't get delayed, then June of 2022. My question: by the time I enlist, if graduation doesn't get delayed, I'll be wearing a retainer. Is that allowed during BCT and AIT? I believe I get my braces off in about six months, or ten months at the most, so I'll probably be out of the retainer actually, but just in case... am I allowed to wear a retainer to BCT and AIT or at least at night?
Posted in these groups: 
Basic Combat Training (BCT)
US Army Recruiting School
Combatives
Drill Sergeant
Cadence
Basic Combat Training (BCT) US Army Recruiting School Combatives Drill Sergeant Cadence
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 3
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I wore my clear upper retainer at night with no issues and I had a permanent one behind my lower teeth that was not removable.
Gavin Luna
Thank you, sergeant! Should I mention it at processing?
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If you have braces at the time of your processing, you will have to get a letter from your orthodontist stating the exact date your braces will get removed and a statement saying something along the lines of “no further treatment will be necessary”. Your retainers worn at night should not be an issue considering most people get reatainers once their braces are removed. You won’t be able to wear them during training though. But yes, disclose your medical information to your recruiter. Gavin Luna
Gavin Luna
SSG (Anonymous) So you can wear braces to BCT or does it get delayed for people who don't have them off yet?
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You can enlist while wearing braces but cannot ship to basic until they are removed. That is why you need a letter stating the date they will be removed. Your basic training date will be based off of that. Gavin Luna
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SFC O’Hara was very careful to remove his retainer after celebrating his promotion to E-7!
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Enlist with braces? Sure. Ship with them to BCT? Nope. Far too much physical trauma can, does and can potentially happen for the military to sign off on that. A retainer should be fine as that is a reinforcement and nothing more.
Absolutely mention this to your recruiter and at MEPS. They are going to take an x-ray of your mouth and do a brief dental inspection so it will hardly be missed.
Absolutely mention this to your recruiter and at MEPS. They are going to take an x-ray of your mouth and do a brief dental inspection so it will hardly be missed.
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