&NA;A retrospective analysis of 210,000 Navy and Marine Corps recruits entering training during a four‐year period (1975 to 1978) identified those individuals with a degree of heart disease sufficient to preclude employment in the armed forces as blue‐collar workers. The incidence of heart disease was 0.7 per 1,000 recruits (144/210,000). Congenital heart disease accounted for 72% of cases (104/144), with aortic valve disease being the most common problem (26%). Rheumatic heart disease was observed in 17% (25/144); 10% (15/144) had arrhythmias.With continued progress in the diagnosis and treatment of congenital and rheumatic heart diseases, this population of young adults will increase. However, as this and other studies show, young adults with heart disease are often unprepared to meet successfully the responsibilities of adulthood. Insurability, employment, and resources available for vocational training are discussed.