MEPS and Physical

kbinva74 · Nov 24, 2008

Hey there! I used to work at a MEPS so I can give you some insight. You will have to do bloodwork, drug test, and if you are 39 1/2 you will have to do fasting bloodwork so do not eat after midnight if that applies to you. You will do an eye exam, hearing test, and have an interview with the doctor based on your medical history. You will have to strip down so that the doctor can do a breast exam and listen to your heart, etc. He/She will not do a pap but they will look for abnormalities. You will have to do the duck walk along with a few more exercises as well. Oh yeah, and if you do fall in the bracket of 39 1/2, you will also have to do an ekg as well. I hope this helps!!

Jams95 · Nov 24, 2008

That's really good info. Thank you. Nice to know what to expect. Thanks again :)

JDCitizen · Nov 25, 2008

Didn't go through MEPS but my physical:

-Enough blood drawn to make the Red Cross drool

-UA

-Vision (V/A, depth perception and pressure check)

-Hearing

-Dental

-Physical (she did the bare minimum)

Kind of strange no EKG... No duck walk and I didn't even remove my clothes... No look left and cough, no bend over....

I was sitting there watching the guy pull labels and tubes: Over 11 tubes of blood and no cookie.....

Jams95 · Nov 25, 2008

In some respects sounds like you got off on the easy side (except for the anemia that is :chuckle).

Didn't go thru MEPS? What other options or course is there??

I just like to know as much as I can before I get into something. I don't forsee the physical being a problem. I'm just looking for guidance, so I can make sure all of the "I's" are dotted and the "T's" are crossed. I'm gathering that the military can be kind of disorganized, which leads to duplcation of work and delays. From what I have been reading that is...........

JDCitizen · Nov 25, 2008

:bugeyes:

In some respects sounds like you got off on the easy side (except for the anemia that is :chuckle).
Didn't go thru MEPS? What other options or course is there??
I just like to know as much as I can before I get into something. I don't forsee the physical being a problem. I'm just looking for guidance, so I can make sure all of the "I's" are dotted and the "T's" are crossed. I'm gathering that the military can be kind of disorganized, which leads to duplcation of work and delays. From what I have been reading that is...........

My recruiter had me go directly to an Air Force physician for my physical; it was supposed to be an easier route due to a known medical problem. For some reason I ended up having to go through a flight medicine workup that has tougher parameters. So six months after the physical I am still waiting with my third recruiter and multiple different stories about my case... So basically how it has been explained to me by my new recruiter; my medical case was essentially taken out of the command structure that recruiting had some control over and placed into a command structure they don't.

So basically what I have learned:

-The easy route described; probably isn't.

-Some recruiters seem nice enough but may be incompetent, unknowledgeable or just straight lying through their teeth.

-The system works in its own mysterious ways and as a mere mortal I am along for the ride. So be polite, be persistent, be patient...

-The truth is out there....

Needless to say over the last several months I have learned, for the most part, my case is the exception not the rule (rare but not unheard of).

sassysoldier · Nov 28, 2008

I just went to MEPS last saturday. What kbinva74 said is exactly right. Be prepared to go through an "airport like" inspection at the door. Be prepared to wait on long lines. MEPS is for every branch, from enlisted to officer. Wear comfortable shoes and clothes and yes be ready to take them off in front of the physician and a few other candidates who will do the duck walk, sitting on your knees, etc. Nothing is going to hurt or embarass you (hopefully). Its a long day and make sure you have any past medical paperwork (hospitalizations, past surgeries)

CISCOPATRICK06 · Nov 28, 2008

I agree. When I went through MEPS over the summer it did differ from the time I went during my enlisted days. I had gone through the same MEPS station in Des Plaines, IL near Chicago. The day does start early and was long. But luckily I finished by 1100. As Nurse Corps you don't have to visit with the counselor to determine your MOS. Also, I noticed that I was treated much differently as a prospective officer than the enlisted were treated. I was a better experience than the first time I went through. I hope this helps. I do think it depends on your MEPS station, too.