Preparing For MEPS' Medical Questions

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Health questions that military recruits must answer
Prospective military recruits must answer a slew of health-related questions, including whether they take any medications. (Airman 1st Class Alexis Christian/U.S. Air Force)

If you start the application process, your recruiter will give you a list of questions. These questions again will be asked at MEPS. They are largely yes/no questions. First, your recruiter will review your answers. Then they may ask you for official proof that your conditions are no longer present or serious.

Have you ever had or do you now have the following (yes/no):

1. Asthma, wheezing or inhaler use

2. Dislocated joint, including knee, hip, shoulder, elbow, ankle or other joint

3. Epilepsy, fits, seizures or convulsions

4. Sleepwalking

5. Recurrent neck or back pain

6. Rheumatic fever

7. Foot pain

8. A swollen, painful or dislocated joint or fluid in a joint (knee, shoulder, wrist, elbow, etc.)

9. Double vision

10. Periods of unconsciousness

11. Frequent or severe headaches, causing loss of time from work or school, or taking medication to prevent frequent or severe headaches

12. Wear contact lenses (If so, bring your contact lens kit and solution so you can remove your contact when we test your vision at the MEPS; also, if you have eyeglasses, bring them with you, no matter how old they are.)

13. Fainting spells or passing out

14. Head injury, including skull fracture, resulting in concussion, loss of consciousness, headaches, etc.

15. Back surgery

16. Seen a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, counselor or other professional for any reason (inpatient or outpatient), including counseling or treatment for school, adjustment, family, marriage or any other problem, including depression, or treatment for alcohol, drug or substance abuse

17. Any of the following skin diseases:

  • Eczema
  • Psoriasis
  • Atopic dermatitis

18. Irregular heartbeat, including abnormally rapid or slow heart rates

19. Allergic to bee, wasp or other insect stings (itching/swelling all over and/or shortness of breath)

20. Heart murmur, valve problem or mitral valve prolapse

21. Allergic to wool

22. Heart surgery

23. Been rejected for military service (temporary or permanent) for medical or other reasons

24. Any other heart problems

25. High blood pressure

26. Discharged from military service for medical reasons

27. Ulcer (stomach, duodenum or other part of intestine)

28. Received disability compensation for an injury or other medical condition

29. Hepatitis (liver infection or inflammation)

30. Intestinal obstruction (locked bowels) or any other chronic or recurrent intestinal problem, including small intestine or colon problems, such as Crohn's disease or colitis

31. Detached retina or surgery for a detached retina

32. Surgery to remove a portion of the intestine (other than the appendix)

33. Any other eye condition, injury or surgery

34. Are you over 40? (If so, call the MEPS for information on special requirements for over-40 physicals)

35. Gall bladder trouble or gallstones

36. Jaundice

37. Missing a kidney

38. Allergy to common food (milk, bread, eggs, meat, fish or other common food)

39. (Females only) Abnormal PAP smear or gynecological problem

40. (Males only) Missing a testicle, testicular implant or undescended testicle

41. Broken bone requiring surgery to repair (with or without pins, plates, screws or other metal fixation devices used in repair)

42. Ruptured or bulging disk in your back or surgery for a ruptured or bulging disk

43. Thyroid condition or take medication for your thyroid

44. Limitation of motion of any joint, including knee, shoulder, wrist, elbow, hip or other joint

45. Drug or alcohol rehab

46. Kidney, urinary tract or bladder problems, surgery, stones or other urinary tract problems

47. Sugar, protein or blood in urine

48. Surgery on a bone or joint (knee, shoulder, elbow, wrist, etc.), including arthroscopy with normal findings

49. Taking any medications

50. Pain or swelling at the site of an old fracture

51. Perforated ear drum or tubes in ear drum(s)

52. Anemia

53. Ear surgery, to include mastoidectomy or repair of perforated ear drum, hearing loss or need/use a hearing aid

54. Night blindness

55. Arthritis

56. Absence or disturbance of the sense of smell

57. Absence or removal of the spleen, or rupture or tear of the spleen without removal

58. Anorexia or other eating disorder

59. Cracked bone or fracture(s)

60. Bursitis

61. Braces (If you wear or are planning on obtaining braces for your teeth, have the orthodontist submit a letter stating that braces will be removed before active duty date; release form and sample format can be found in the Recruiter's Medical Guide.)

62. Loss of finger, toe or part thereof

63. Loss of the ability to fully flex (bend) or fully extend a finger, toe or other joint

64. Shoulder, knee or elbow problem (out of place)

65. Locking of the knee or other joint

66. Giving way of knee or other joint

67. Cataracts or surgery for cataracts

68. Eye surgery, including radial keratotomy, lens implant or other eye surgery to improve your vision

69. Collapsed lung or other lung condition

70. Bed wetting since age 12

71. Evaluation, treatment or hospitalization for alcohol abuse, dependence or addiction

72. Taken medication, drugs or any substance to improve attention, behavior or physical performance

73. Do you smoke? If yes:

  • Type: Cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, vaping
  • How many per day?

74. Evaluation, treatment or hospitalization for substance use, abuse, addiction or dependence (including illegal drugs, prescription medications or other substances)

75. Any illnesses, surgery or hospitalization not listed above

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