MEPS Applicant Pre-Screening Process Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An applicant discloses a history of asthma after the age of 13 during the initial discussion with their recruiter. What is the primary purpose of the recruiter collecting detailed medical records related to this condition BEFORE the applicant is scheduled for a MEPS visit?
- To allow the recruiter to determine if the applicant is medically qualified.
- To provide the MEPS medical staff with advance information to identify potential disqualifiers and determine if a waiver might be necessary. (Correct answer)
- To have the documents on hand in case the applicant decides to appeal a disqualification after the MEPS physical.
- To fulfill a basic administrative requirement that has no direct impact on the outcome of the medical screening.
Correct answer: To provide the MEPS medical staff with advance information to identify potential disqualifiers and determine if a waiver might be necessary.
Recruiters are required to pre-screen candidates for potentially disqualifying medical conditions. By gathering medical records for known conditions like asthma, they provide the MEPS medical team the opportunity to review the case in advance. This allows MEPS to make a preliminary assessment, request additional information if needed, and streamline the actual physical examination process, rather than discovering a complex issue for the first time when the applicant arrives.
Question 2: A recruiter is assisting an applicant in completing the DD Form 2807-2, Accessions Medical History Report. The applicant is unsure how to answer a question regarding a minor surgery from several years ago. What is the recruiter's proper role in this situation?
- Advise the applicant to omit the information to avoid potential complications.
- Interpret the medical standard and tell the applicant the condition is not significant.
- Instruct the applicant to answer 'No' and discuss it directly with the MEPS doctor.
- Assist the applicant in answering truthfully and advise them to gather all related medical documents for submission with the form. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Assist the applicant in answering truthfully and advise them to gather all related medical documents for submission with the form.
The instructions for the DD Form 2807-2 explicitly state it should be completed by the applicant with the assistance of the recruiter. The recruiter's role is to facilitate the accurate and truthful completion of the form and to ensure that any 'Yes' answers are supported by the required medical documentation for the MEPS medical staff to review. It is not the recruiter's role to make medical qualification judgments or advise omitting information.
Question 3: Which of the following is a key objective of the applicant pre-screening process conducted by a recruiter prior to the applicant's arrival at MEPS?
- To conduct a preliminary physical fitness test and assign a score.
- To have the applicant select their final job and sign an enlistment contract.
- To identify and document potential medical, moral, or administrative issues early. (Correct answer)
- To issue the applicant their official military identification card.
Correct answer: To identify and document potential medical, moral, or administrative issues early.
The pre-screening process is designed to determine an applicant's initial eligibility by checking for potential issues that could prevent them from qualifying. This includes a review of medical history via the DD Form 2807-2, preliminary moral/background checks, and ensuring basic administrative data is correct, saving time and resources before the formal, in-person evaluation at MEPS.
Question 4: During a pre-screening interview, a potential applicant reveals they have several unpaid traffic tickets that resulted in a bench warrant. How does this information impact their immediate processing for MEPS?
- It is irrelevant as traffic violations are not considered in moral screening.
- The recruiter can grant an immediate waiver for minor legal issues.
- Processing is halted until the applicant resolves all legal issues and can provide court documentation.
- The applicant can proceed to MEPS but must resolve the warrant before shipping to basic training. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The applicant can proceed to MEPS but must resolve the warrant before shipping to basic training.
Moral standards are a key component of enlistment eligibility. An unresolved legal issue like a bench warrant is a disqualifier for processing. The applicant must resolve the issue and provide proof of the disposition before the enlistment process can continue. Recruiters cannot waive legal requirements, and the issue must be cleared before the MEPS physical and enlistment.
Question 5: An applicant is required to complete a Standard Form 86 (SF-86), Questionnaire for National Security Positions, as part of their pre-screening packet because the job they are interested in requires a security clearance. What is the primary purpose of this form?
- To document the applicant's detailed medical history for the MEPS physicians.
- To serve as the primary application for all military enlistment programs.
- To provide a basis for a background investigation to determine eligibility for access to classified information. (Correct answer)
- To register the applicant for the Selective Service System.
Correct answer: To provide a basis for a background investigation to determine eligibility for access to classified information.
The SF-86 is a detailed questionnaire used by the federal government to conduct background checks for individuals being considered for positions that require a security clearance (Confidential, Secret, or Top Secret). It gathers extensive information about an individual's personal history to determine their trustworthiness and reliability for handling classified information.
Question 6: According to USMEPCOM Regulation 40-1, what is the standard submission timeline for a DD Form 2807-2 with supporting medical documents for a routine applicant with a history of a treated medical condition?
- The day the applicant arrives at MEPS for their physical.
- At least 10 business days prior to the scheduled physical.
- A minimum of 2 processing days in advance of the scheduled MEPS visit. (Correct answer)
- Within 30 days after the applicant completes the physical examination.
Correct answer: A minimum of 2 processing days in advance of the scheduled MEPS visit.
USMEPCOM Regulation 40-1 and instructions for the DD Form 2807-2 specify timelines to allow for proper medical review. For an applicant with supporting medical documentation, the form must be submitted at least 2 processing days in advance to allow the MEPS Chief Medical Officer (CMO) time to review the records before the applicant's arrival. More complex cases with extensive records may require even more time.
An applicant discloses a history of asthma after the age of 13 during the initial discussion with their recruiter.
What is the primary purpose of the recruiter collecting detailed medical records related to this condition BEFORE the applicant is scheduled for a MEPS visit?