What to expecat at MEPS?

babe48076 · Jul 9, 2012

@HBaum I passed the physical it wasn;t as bad as expected. I am glad its over. I wish you nothing but success.

Sacred eagle · Jul 9, 2012

@babe48076,Lots of people told me that it would be a long and all-day process, but mine wasn't that bad. Since I lived an hr away from MEPS, my recruiter got me a hotel to stay in right by MEPS for the night before, since it's such an early wake up call. I think we had breakfast at 5:40 and were out the door by 6 headed to MEPS. Make sure to drink a LOT of water so you have a full bladder so it's easier to void in front of someone. Thankfully, I had a wonderful SSgt that was taking us 6 girls around to our different stations. She made it very enjoyable for me. I have heard horror stories about MEPS, and was very thankful mine went well! Make sure to say "ma'am/sir" whenever you're talked to...they expect it! Also, LISTEN! The people running the MEPS I went to HATED when people weren't listening and paying attention and following details exactly! Since we, as nurses, are going for commissioned officers, we are treated well (better than enlisted members) wherever we go (if we listen and are respectful). Overall.. just listen, don't lose the papers they give you, follow directions to a T, and be respectful! Anxious to hear how it goes!-HBaum-

Shouldn't all members of the armed forces be treated well or at least respectfully.Thereare 65 mep centers throughout the united states. During the Vietnam war these centerswere called afees. It was commonplace for male nude physicals to be conducted withnon-medical female clerks who would simply stand there and watch. No privacy what-so-ever. This never happened to female recruits. Here we have people willing to serve theircountry and be put in harms way and defend the constitution so that other people canenjoy all the freedoms the constitution offers, like the 4th amendment,right to privacy. Yet these young soldiers could not have 2 minutes of privacy during a medical exam,pathetic. It wasn't till 2003 that the commander of mepcom issued new guidelines thatno opposite gender Obervers be present. Pathetic that a military commander has toissue guidelines telling military physicians to how to perform a medical group exam. Afterall, they took an oath, I will respect the privacy of my patients.

midinphx, BSN · Jul 10, 2012

At Sacred Eagle - thank you for supporting the military members. You're right, every one of the people going there should be treated well regardless of what they are going in as.

But I have to say that I have had very good experiences at MEPS. My first time there was March 17th, 1986 as an 18 year old trying to join the army. They treated me really great. The recruiters tried to give me really good career advice (which I didn't listen to and should have!). It was also my very first ever pelvic exam. Scary! I was the only female there that day. It was in this huge room with this old male doctor. There was no female escort. It wasn't a bad experience though. He treated me with care and respect.

My next MEPS was at 41yrs old (and it was March 17th!), trying to commission. My paperwork was misplaced and it made my run through a lot slower, I ended up at the end of the line. I also had a big 40+ in red on my name tag! lol. I loved talking to the young kids hoping to join and hearing their stories.

MEPS can be a great experience. I remember both times very well.

Sacred eagle · Jul 10, 2012

At Sacred Eagle - thank you for supporting the military members. You're right, every one of the people going there should be treated well regardless of what they are going in as. But I have to say that I have had very good experiences at MEPS. My first time there was March 17th, 1986 as an 18 year old trying to join the army. They treated me really great. The recruiters tried to give me really good career advice (which I didn't listen to and should have!). It was also my very first ever pelvic exam. Scary! I was the only female there that day. It was in this huge room with this old male doctor. There was no female escort. It wasn't a bad experience though. He treated me with care and respect. My next MEPS was at 41yrs old (and it was March 17th!), trying to commission. My paperwork was misplaced and it made my run through a lot slower, I ended up at the end of the line. I also had a big 40+ in red on my name tag! lol. I loved talking to the young kids hoping to join and hearing their stories. MEPS can be a great experience. I remember both times very well.

There are many who hate and despise the military. The comment" Since we, as nurses, are goingfor commissioned officers, we aretreated well ( better than enlistedmembers) wherever we go." does not help. It is the actual soldiers, infantry, mechanized, andair support who really make themilitary. Yet,as the poster said thateven during induction physicals,it is ok to treat the soldiers likedirt. I doubt you would have thesame thoughts if that old malephysician would have allowed several young men wearing Jeanjackets and street clothes to stand there and just leer at you whileyou recieved a pelvic exam.