Every branch of the US military uses the same Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS) system—but each branch has its own standards for what it takes to qualify. If you're joining the Air Force or Space Force, you'll pass through MEPS at some point in your enlistment process, and you need to meet Air Force-specific requirements to ship to Basic Military Training.
This guide covers what MEPS actually tests, what the Air Force specifically requires, and where Air Force standards are stricter or more lenient than other branches.
MEPS is not an Air Force facility—it's a joint military processing station operated by the Department of Defense. All branches send recruits through the same MEPS facilities. What happens at MEPS is standardized:
The differences between branches come in after the standardized MEPS procedures—in what scores and physical measurements the Air Force will accept for enlistment and what waivers it will grant.
The ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) is taken at or before MEPS. For the Air Force, the minimum ASVAB Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score is 36 for high school graduates and 65 for GED holders. These are lower minimums—what you need to walk in the door, not what you need for competitive jobs.
In practice, Air Force recruiters often tell candidates that a competitive score is 50+ on the AFQT, and many desirable Air Force Specialty Codes (AFSC) require composite scores well above the minimum. The technical jobs that draw many Air Force recruits—cyber operations, signals intelligence, avionics—require high scores in specific composite areas (Mechanical, Electronics, Administrative, General).
You can take the ASVAB at your recruiter's office (pencil and paper version, unofficial) before visiting MEPS. MEPS uses the ASVAB-CAT (computerized adaptive test). The official MEPS score is the one that counts for enlistment eligibility and job qualification. If you're not happy with your initial MEPS ASVAB score, you can request a retest, but there are waiting periods: 30 days after the first test, another 30 days after the second, and six months after the third.
Medical qualification is where MEPS requirements get branch-specific. The Air Force uses its own medical standards (AR 40-501 for Army; the Air Force equivalent is AFI 48-123), which MEPS physicians apply during the examination.
Vision standards: The Air Force has stricter vision standards than the Army for some jobs. For officer positions and certain AFSC (particularly aviation-related), uncorrected and corrected vision requirements are specific. For enlisted positions, correctable vision is generally acceptable as long as you meet the corrected standard. LASIK and PRK are allowed, but there are waiting periods after surgery before you can qualify for certain aviation roles.
Height and weight: The Air Force has specific height/weight standards by gender and age. Body fat percentage is the determining factor when weight exceeds the chart standard. You'll be measured at MEPS, and if you're over the weight standard but within body fat limits, you can still qualify.
Hearing: Audiometric testing at MEPS measures hearing thresholds. The Air Force allows some hearing limitations for non-aviation enlisted positions, but many technical jobs (especially aviation, electronic warfare) require near-normal hearing.
Blood pressure: Generally must be under 140/90 at MEPS. Readings taken at MEPS under stress sometimes run higher than normal. MEPS physicians may take multiple readings or have you relax before a final determination.
The Air Force's MEPS disqualifications include both temporary (waiverable) and permanent (non-waiverable) conditions. Here's what to know:
Mental health history: The Air Force reviews mental health history more carefully than some other branches. Past diagnoses of depression, anxiety, ADHD, or behavioral conditions may require waivers. Medication history matters—if you were on stimulant medication for ADHD, you'll need documentation showing you no longer require it. The review process is thorough because the Air Force has highly sensitive positions requiring security clearances.
Drug history: Marijuana use is reviewed. The Air Force typically requires a one-year period of no use before enlistment, and past use is disclosed. Hard drug use (heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine) typically disqualifies without waiver.
Criminal history: Felony convictions are generally disqualifying. Misdemeanors are reviewed case-by-case. Traffic violations accumulate into a pattern the Air Force evaluates. All history must be disclosed—failing to disclose is worse than the underlying offense.
Tattoos and piercings: The Air Force has updated its tattoo policies in recent years. Tattoos on the face, neck above the collarbone, or hands (except one ring tattoo per hand) are disqualifying. Excessive coverage may require a waiver review.
Medical conditions: Asthma (diagnosed after age 13), recent orthopedic surgery, diabetes requiring medication, and several other conditions can be disqualifying. Some conditions are waiverable if you can demonstrate stability and functional ability for military service.
At MEPS, you'll go through a comprehensive physical that includes:
The MEPS duck walk is one of the most discussed components—it looks awkward, but it's a quick screen for hip, knee, and ankle mobility issues. Don't try to be clever about it; just do it naturally and let them evaluate.
One important note: the medical history form you fill out before MEPS is just as important as the physical exam. MEPS accesses your medical records through GENESIS (the Defense Medical Human Resources System internet). They can see records from civilian providers if those records have been shared with the Department of Defense. Don't omit conditions assuming they won't be found—omission is treated as fraud.
GENESIS is the DoD's electronic health record system. Before your MEPS appointment, your MEPS medical team can pull records from GENESIS if you've been treated at military or DoD facilities. For applicants who have no prior military connection, GENESIS may have limited information—but the medical history form you complete is legally binding and reviewed carefully.
The MEPS GENESIS system has expanded its integration with civilian electronic health records in some regions. If your civilian provider uses a health system connected to GENESIS-affiliated networks, your records may be accessible. Disclose your full history accurately on the DD 2807 form—corrections and waivers are possible; fraud is not.
A temporary disqualification (TDQ) at MEPS means you don't qualify today but may qualify after a specified period or with additional documentation. Common reasons include:
TDQ doesn't mean rejection. It means come back with documentation, or come back after a waiting period. Work with your Air Force recruiter to understand exactly what's needed to resolve the TDQ.
Permanent disqualifications are less common than applicants fear. The Air Force does grant waivers for some conditions—the waiver process goes through Air Force Recruiting Service's medical review board. Waivers take additional time and aren't guaranteed, but they're granted regularly for conditions that don't impair military performance.
Preparation for MEPS is mostly about gathering documentation and being in honest, solid physical condition. Here's what to do in advance:
Get your medical records in order. If you have any medical history worth noting—past surgeries, diagnoses, medications—gather documentation before MEPS. Having a physician's statement confirming resolution of a past condition can streamline the waiver process significantly.
Prepare physically. The Air Force doesn't require a fitness test at MEPS (that comes at Basic Military Training), but being overweight can disqualify you right there. If you're close to the weight limit, start working before your MEPS date. The standards are strict and MEPS doesn't negotiate on the spot.
Know your ASVAB scores. If you have preliminary scores from a recruiter, understand where you're strong and weak. Technical Air Force jobs are competitive; if scores in electronics or mechanical are low, you may be limited in job options.
Prepare your disclosure.) The medical history form is the most legally significant document you'll complete at MEPS. Review your complete medical and legal history before your appointment. Bring any documentation for past issues. Your recruiter can advise on how to present complicated history accurately.
For the MEPS requirements that apply across all branches, the general physical and testing standards are the same. The Air Force-specific differences are in how it evaluates what MEPS finds—which conditions it'll waive, which jobs have additional standards, and how it prioritizes candidates with competitive scores and clean medical histories.