Sgt Grit Marine Forums

This question is not for me, I was Honorably Discharged from the Marine Corps way back in 1968; it is for a young friend I know from the Internet.

He lives in Western Tennessee and has been trying to enlist in the military for some time now and has been turned down. He wanted me to see if I could find some information on his chances in the Marine Corps, so my first thought was the message board provided here for our use. 

Here is part of a Private Message he sent me, and I quote:

"The main reason the Army, and Tennessee National Guard didn't want me was due to an absence of 3 fingers. 1/2 my right hand index finger is absent, and the ring and pinky on my left hand are deformed, both are from birth defects.

Now, I've been thinking that maybe the Marines want somebody capable of doing the job, instead of standing around counting on their fingers (I know that a cruel thing to say, but the Army seemed much more interested in my lack of a finger I make do fine without, and didn't seem to care about my abilities as a prospective soldier).

Could you do me a favor and find out if a lack of my index finger would DQ me with the U.S.M.C? I know you stay pretty well connected with a forum, I was thinking there might be a recruiter you could ask for me.

I'm not trying to brag, but I am pretty sure that right now I could outshoot just about any of the new recruits the Army has gotten in the last three years. I trigger with my second finger, not the first. And, if it any consolation, in a fight, that "nub" finger works like laxitive when you stick it in an eye socket, perfect fit!!!!!

IF you could help, I'd really appreciate it. I want to serve my county, and I am looking for a group of people who are willing to allow me. I think that a tour of Duty in the Marine Corp would do me some good.

Thanks,
TJ."

He is an extremely bright and motivated young man, and the question is obvious: what are his chances?