Horror stories- MEPS

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I read in previous posts about not to wear a sports bra.... can someone tell me what is the big deal? And what are some other things to watch out for? People said they got yelled at all day.... want to try and avoid that if possible. lol :)

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

If they know you are going for a commission they will treat you alittle better then the ones who are going to be enlisted. Depending on their staffing they might even give you head of the line proviliges.

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Specializes in OR.

Going to MEPS is not that bad. You may be there for a long time (We started at 6am and I was finished at 2pm).

It really does not matter what kind of underwear you wear, just be comfortable with a room full of women seeing you in them (you may want to save the thongs for later). If the doctor needs to see under your bra, he/she will ask you, and you will be in a private exam room.

The only thing that made me uncomfortable was I had to remove my contacts for my eye exams and they did not want me to put them back in until much later, so I felt blind most of the time.

All in all it was not that bad. Also, they may do things differently at different MEPS; I was in Montgomery, AL.:)

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thanks for the info!

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Specializes in ED. ICU, PICU, infection prevention, aeromedical e.

I wore a sports bra. I don't know why that would be a problem. Sometimes, you have to question the source of the info I think.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Med/Surg.

My MEPS experience wasn't bad either. There was no yelling. The worst part was the blaring country music on the TV in the waiting area! Do bring a light jacket and do wear conservative undies and bra. You will be in a room with other women in your undies doing the infamous "duck walk" :lol2: But trust me, everyone there is just as nervous and uncomfortable as you are! My MEPS was at Oklahoma City.

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If they know you are going for a commission they will treat you alittle better then the ones who are going to be enlisted. Depending on their staffing they might even give you head of the line proviliges.

Don't count on this. It's not true everywhere. I was put in the same cattle call as everyone else, and was actually treated a bit more rudely (and I'm prior enlisted so I've played the MEPS game before).

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I read in previous posts about not to wear a sports bra.... can someone tell me what is the big deal? And what are some other things to watch out for? People said they got yelled at all day.... want to try and avoid that if possible. lol :)

Wear the sports bra if you want to. The only thing I wouldn't do underwear wise is show up in my "hottest" gig from Victoria's Secret (i.e., no plunging demi bras and thongs).

You won't avoid the yelling if it's there. Just let it go right over your head.

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Don't count on this. It's not true everywhere. I was put in the same cattle call as everyone else, and was actually treated a bit more rudely (and I'm prior enlisted so I've played the MEPS game before).

I was thrown in with the mix of enlisted personnel also. The Docs were a little more casual with me "joking and teasing" but I was also quite a bit older than most of the enlisted guys. Either way... just plan a LONG day. Remember that Officers lead by example, and go with the flow :)

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Specializes in ICU, Cardiac Cath Lab.
I read in previous posts about not to wear a sports bra.... can someone tell me what is the big deal? And what are some other things to watch out for? People said they got yelled at all day.... want to try and avoid that if possible. lol :)

I just went to meps this week in SC. It was not bad. Do not be late. Show up at least 15 minutes early. Briefing started at 0530 and I was done with everything at 1100. You MUST wear a bra and underwear. No thongs or inappropriate underwear, because you will not get screened.They are really serious about that. One female almost got sent home because she came with a thong. Luckily, the officer was nice enough to give her some disposables. I'm sure everyone is not that nice. After briefing, you meet with your in line service. Then you take a pic and get fingerprinted. After that, you go into another briefing, get vital signs done and fill about paperwork. That took about an hour. Once that is completed, you have several stations to complete your day. You get a drug test, blood drawn, vision checked, hearing checked, and meet with physician. Then you will be in a room with other females in your bra and underwear and will get ht. and wt. done. then you will strip and cover up with a gown and meet with dr. again who will have you stand and check your feet, lay on table and do breast exam and visual pelvic exam. Lastly, you will do the other physical stuff in your bra and underwear such as duck walk, kicks, arm movements, and balancing. After that, you turn your paperwork in and you're done. It wasn't bad at all.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, Education.

Can you tell me what type of paperwork you completed at MEPS?

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Specializes in OR.

The paperwork is not that bad. They walk you through it together as a group. The only thing that takes some time to complete is the medical section. If you have ever had surgery (dental/medical) or childhood illnesses, they want to know about them. The rest of the paperwork will be filled out while you are evaluated. Then the doctor signs off.

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