If you decide to start the application process, your recruiter will give you a list of questions. These questions will be asked again at MEPS. They are largely yes/no questions. 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):
- Asthma, wheezing or inhaler use
- Dislocated joint, including knee, hip, shoulder, elbow, ankle or other joint
- Epilepsy, fits, seizures or convulsions
- Sleepwalking
- Recurrent neck or back pain
- Rheumatic fever
- Foot pain
- A swollen, painful or dislocated joint or fluid in a joint (knee, shoulder, wrist, elbow, etc.)
- Double vision
- Periods of unconsciousness
- Frequent or severe headaches causing loss of time from work or school or taking medication to prevent frequent or severe headaches
- 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 a pair of eyeglasses, bring them with you no matter how old they are.)
- Fainting spells or passing out
- Head injury, including skull fracture, resulting in concussion, loss of consciousness, headaches, etc.
- Back surgery
- 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, such as depression or treatment for alcohol, drug or substance abuse
- Any of the following skin diseases:
-- Eczema
-- Psoriasis
-- Atopic dermatitis - Irregular heartbeat, including abnormally rapid or slow heart rates
- Allergic to bee, wasp or other insect stings (itching/swelling all over and/or get short of breath)
- Heart murmur, valve problem or mitral valve prolapse
- Allergic to wool
- Heart surgery
- Been rejected for military service (temporary or permanent) for medical or other reasons
- Any other heart problems
- High blood pressure
- Discharged from military service for medical reasons
- Ulcer (stomach, duodenum or other part of intestine)
- Received disability compensation for an injury or other medical condition
- Hepatitis (liver infection or inflammation)
- 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
- Detached retina or surgery for a detached retina
- Surgery to remove a portion of the intestine (other than the appendix)
- Any other eye condition, injury or surgery
- Are you over 40? (If so, call the MEPS for information on special requirements for over-40 physicals)
- Gall bladder trouble or gallstones
- Jaundice
- Missing a kidney
- Allergy to common food (milk, bread, eggs, meat, fish or other common food)
- (Females only) Abnormal PAP smear or gynecological problem
- (Males only) Missing a testicle, testicular implant or undescended testicle
- Broken bone requiring surgery to repair (with or without pins, plates, screws or other metal fixation devices used in repair)
- Ruptured or bulging disk in your back or surgery for a ruptured or bulging disk
- Thyroid condition or take medication for your thyroid
- Limitation of motion of any joint, including knee, shoulder, wrist, elbow, hip or other joint
- Drug or alcohol rehab
- Kidney, urinary tract or bladder problems, surgery, stones or other urinary tract problems
- Sugar, protein or blood in urine
- Surgery on a bone or joint (knee, shoulder, elbow, wrist, etc.), including arthroscopy with normal findings
- Taking any medications
- Pain or swelling at the site of an old fracture
- Perforated ear drum or tubes in ear drum(s)
- Anemia
- Ear surgery to include mastoidectomy or repair of perforated eardrum, hearing loss or need/use a hearing aid
- Night blindness
- Arthritis
- Absence or disturbance of the sense of smell
- Absence or removal of the spleen, or rupture or tear of the spleen without removal
- Anorexia or other eating disorder
- Cracked bone or fracture(s)
- Bursitis
- 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.)
- Loss of finger, toe or part thereof
- Loss of the ability to flex fully (bend) or extend fully a finger, toe or other joint
- Shoulder, knee or elbow problem (out of place)
- Locking of the knee or other joint
- Giving way of knee or other joint
- Cataracts or surgery for cataracts
- Eye surgery, including radial keratotomy, lens implant or other eye surgery to improve your vision
- Collapsed lung or other lung condition
- Bed-wetting since age 12
- Evaluation, treatment or hospitalization for alcohol abuse, dependence or addiction
- Taken medication, drugs or any substance to improve attention, behavior or physical performance
- Do you smoke? If yes, type: Cigarettes -- cigars -- smokeless tobacco.
How many per day? - Evaluation, treatment or hospitalization for substance use, abuse, addiction or dependence (including illegal drugs, prescription medications or other substances)
- Any illnesses, surgery or hospitalization not listed above
Interested in Joining the Military?
We can put you in touch with recruiters from the different military branches. Learn about the benefits of serving your country, paying for school, military career paths, and more: sign up now and hear from a recruiter near you.
