MEPS MEPS Medical Examination Process Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An applicant at MEPS is found to have a medical condition that is considered "Temporarily Disqualifying" (TDQ). What is the most accurate description of this situation?
- The applicant is permanently barred from military service without any possibility of appeal.
- The applicant cannot continue processing until further medical documentation or testing is provided and reviewed. (Correct answer)
- The applicant must immediately apply for a medical waiver through the specific branch of service's Surgeon General.
- The applicant is qualified for service but will be restricted to non-combat roles for a probationary period.
Correct answer: The applicant cannot continue processing until further medical documentation or testing is provided and reviewed.
A temporary disqualification (TDQ) means that the MEPS medical staff needs more information to make a final determination. The applicant's processing is paused until they provide the required medical records or complete additional consultations. It is not a permanent bar, nor does it automatically trigger a waiver request; a permanent disqualification is required before a waiver can be considered.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of the DD Form 2807-2, Medical Prescreen of Medical History Report, in the MEPS process?
- To serve as the final official record of the MEPS physical examination.
- To allow MEPS medical staff to review an applicant's self-reported medical history in advance and identify the need for additional records. (Correct answer)
- To function as a request for a medical waiver for pre-existing conditions.
- To determine an applicant's physical fitness score based on their athletic history.
Correct answer: To allow MEPS medical staff to review an applicant's self-reported medical history in advance and identify the need for additional records.
The DD Form 2807-2 is a prescreening tool completed by the applicant with their recruiter before visiting MEPS. Its main purpose is to provide MEPS medical personnel with an advance look at the applicant's medical history, allowing them to identify any conditions that will require additional documentation (like hospital records or physician's notes) before the physical exam can be completed.
Question 3: During the medical examination at MEPS, a series of maneuvers including the 'duck walk' are performed. Which part of the evaluation are these exercises primarily assessing?
- Cardiovascular endurance
- Visual acuity and depth perception
- Auditory function
- Orthopedic and joint function (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Orthopedic and joint function
The series of movements, which often includes bending, squatting, and the 'duck walk,' is designed to evaluate an applicant's orthopedic and joint function. These exercises help the examiner assess posture, gait, range of motion, muscle strength, and coordination to identify any physical limitations or abnormalities.
Question 4: An applicant is found to be permanently medically disqualified (PDQ) by the MEPS Chief Medical Officer. What is the immediate next step in the process if the applicant wishes to pursue enlistment?
- The applicant can appeal the decision directly to the USMEPCOM Commander.
- The applicant's recruiter must submit a request for a medical waiver to the specific service's waiver authority. (Correct answer)
- The applicant must wait one calendar year before being allowed a completely new physical examination.
- The applicant is automatically granted a non-combat arms military occupational specialty.
Correct answer: The applicant's recruiter must submit a request for a medical waiver to the specific service's waiver authority.
A permanent disqualification at MEPS is a prerequisite for the waiver process. MEPS determines qualification based on DoD standards. If an applicant is found PDQ, the authority to waive that disqualification rests with the individual military service, not MEPS. The recruiter is responsible for assembling and submitting the waiver request to the appropriate service medical waiver authority for review.
Question 5: Which of the following tests are conducted as part of the standard MEPS medical screening?
- A full-panel allergy test and a pulmonary function test.
- An IQ test and a psychological personality inventory.
- Vision, hearing, urinalysis, and blood tests. (Correct answer)
- A cardiovascular stress test and a body composition analysis via hydrostatic weighing.
Correct answer: Vision, hearing, urinalysis, and blood tests.
The standard medical examination at MEPS is comprehensive and includes several key components. Among these are vision tests (for acuity and color perception), a hearing test, a urinalysis (for health indicators and drug screening), and blood tests (including for HIV).
Question 6: During a MEPS medical exam, an applicant admits to a history of asthma after their 13th birthday, a fact they did not disclose on their DD Form 2807-2. What is the most likely immediate outcome?
- The physician will ignore the comment as it was not on the official form.
- The applicant will be immediately and permanently disqualified with no chance of a waiver.
- Processing will be stopped, and the applicant will be required to provide complete medical records regarding the diagnosis and treatment for review. (Correct answer)
- The applicant will be qualified but noted as ineligible for jobs requiring high levels of physical exertion.
Correct answer: Processing will be stopped, and the applicant will be required to provide complete medical records regarding the diagnosis and treatment for review.
Honesty is critical throughout the MEPS process. A history of asthma after age 13 is a condition that requires medical documentation for review. Disclosing this new information during the physical will cause the examination to be stopped (a temporary disqualification) until the applicant can provide all relevant medical records for the MEPS medical staff to evaluate. Failing to disclose this on the prescreening form causes significant delays.
MEPS MEPS Medical Examination Process Questions and Answers
An applicant at MEPS is found to have a medical condition that is considered "Temporarily Disqualifying" (TDQ).
What is the most accurate description of this situation?