Questions: MEPS and Interview (AF)

Gennaver, MSN · Dec 6, 2006

...Also, I've been trying to get a detailed explanation of the duck walk and the knee walk. Everyone seems to think these are the hardest things about MEPS. Will someone please explain to me what these entail? I am pushing 40 here and the old knees are not what they used to be!
I am scheduled for an interview with a nurse at the base near my home next Thursday. Any suggestions about that? I have been doing a lot of civilian interviews lately, because if I don't get in to the AF, I definitely want to find a more interesting job than the one I'm in currently! Should I expect much different about this interview than one at a civilian hospital?
Thanks in advance for your advice!

Hiya,

I went to Meps first, (my recruiter chose to have me do that route in order to show that I would qualify to enlist as Regular Army since I am also 40). I will pull up the MEPs site information and add it as an edit in a minute.

I felt it was helpful to know ahead of time what to expect and noticed that some of the other ladies were a little surprised about the duckwalk and stuff because the didn't expect it.

Are you a woman or man? Although at 40 women also get a digitial rectal, (but I suspect it is only for a smear for a hemoccult) and it isn't a big deal as it was done at the same time as the vulvar visual, (no paps are manual pelvic, just the visual).

The duckwalk and one legged standing and forearm supination and so on are just to check for joint articulation and flexibility.

Good luck with those pesky three pounds!

Gen

edit to add

MEPS at a Glance I think the duckwalk is on page 3 and 4, it breaks down all the ortho moves. :) OH! I was prepared for the duckwalk, even practiced at home to see how to walk, squatted on heel to toe and heel to toe but, what I forgot was the knee drop! Kerlplunk, both knees together. All 13 or so of us in my group went like dominos, one kerplunk after another!

mommy3k · Dec 7, 2006

Hiya,
I felt it was helpful to know ahead of time what to expect and noticed that some of the other ladies were a little surprised about the duckwalk and stuff because the didn't expect it.
Are you a woman or man? Although at 40 women also get a digitial rectal, (but I suspect it is only for a smear for a hemoccult) and it isn't a big deal as it was done at the same time as the vulvar visual, (no paps are manual pelvic, just the visual).
The duckwalk and one legged standing and forearm supination and so on are just to check for joint articulation and flexibility.
Good luck with those pesky three pounds!
Gen
edit to add
MEPS at a Glance I think the duckwalk is on page 3 and 4, it breaks down all the ortho moves. :) OH! I was prepared for the duckwalk, even practiced at home to see how to walk, squatted on heel to toe and heel to toe but, what I forgot was the knee drop! Kerlplunk, both knees together. All 13 or so of us in my group went like dominos, one kerplunk after another!

Thanks Gen!

I will be 40 on January 19th. Hopefully, I will make weight before then!

Believe it or not, I actually passed this physical about 21 years ago. I don't remember all the details though, and I'm sure it has changed over the years.

I am a woman by the way...

Are you saying the "pelvic" is not actually a pelvic? Just a visual of external genitalia? I guess I'll have to endure the digital rectal if required...more motivation for losing 3 pounds quick (before I turn 40).

Please describe the duck walk. I picture it as walking like a duck going heel to toe. I can walk like a duck just fine...just not sure if I can do it heel to toe. And the knee drop...I picture it like standing up and then dropping fast to your knees. Is that it? I think I can do it. (Then I won't be able to walk for about 2 days..LOL ).

Anyway, thanks for the info.

Gennaver, MSN · Dec 7, 2006

Thanks Gen!
I will be 40 on January 19th. Hopefully, I will make weight before then!
Believe it or not, I actually passed this physical about 21 years ago. I don't remember all the details though, and I'm sure it has changed over the years.
...
Anyway, thanks for the info.

Hi,

The link that I sent breaks down each maneuver, (not only the duckwalk but all the other ones you need to do that day also) and explains what it is that the doctor is looking for, so you know what the reason is for the move.

The link explains the duckwalk better than me but, you drop to a squat, like you are picking your keys up off the floor, then you waddle/walk like a duck with one foot in front of the other going heel to toe. Give it a practice because you will have to go about five steps in one direction and turn around to return, then when you go five more steps back you will stop and then bring your knees together and drop them to the ground together.

The link explains what they are looking for so that you will know what to do to make sure that you pass that. It wasn't so bad, you are dropping your knees but, you are dropping them from a squat position, not from standing, so it doesn't really hurt, just sounds noisy. :)

Yes, the visual is for a vulvar exam, the meps does NOT do pelvic exams only visual. They are checking, (no, not to make sure that we are really women like some of the young ladies were joking the day I went) for any lesions, or obvious worrisome things.

The digital for the hemoccult is as simple as they do at the gyne office, or rather, that they are "supposed" to do at the gyne office if you are 40 or over...I believe I heard that it is included in the standar fee but, that many women are unaware that they are being shortchanged by docs or care providers who do not do it. It is just one finger, it isn't like we have to cough as there is no deep search on us like for a man's prostate exame. It is not fun but, not difficult, just bear down a bit and it will be over before you know it.

The doc who did mine looked at my birthday and said, "oh, darn, I wish you would've come four months sooner!" I would've been 39 and she would not have had to do it. :)

Gen