MEPS Medical Examinations 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the role of the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) physician during the medical examination?
- To treat illnesses found during the exam
- To determine medical qualification for military service based on DoD standards (Correct answer)
- To assign recruits to specific military occupational specialties
- To administer the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)
Correct answer: To determine medical qualification for military service based on DoD standards
The MEPS physician evaluates applicants against DoD Instruction 6130.03 standards to determine whether they are medically qualified for military service.
Question 2: Which dental condition discovered at MEPS would most likely result in a disqualification or deferral?
- One filled cavity
- Orthodontic braces currently in place
- Severe malocclusion requiring surgery to correct (Correct answer)
- A single missing molar
Correct answer: Severe malocclusion requiring surgery to correct
Severe malocclusion requiring corrective surgery can be disqualifying because the condition or its treatment could interfere with military duties.
Question 3: If an applicant has a medical history of depression but has been off medication for two years with no recurrence, what typically occurs at MEPS?
- Automatic permanent disqualification with no appeal
- The history is reviewed and a waiver may be considered depending on circumstances (Correct answer)
- The condition is ignored since the applicant is currently asymptomatic
- The applicant is assigned a PULHES score of 4 automatically
Correct answer: The history is reviewed and a waiver may be considered depending on circumstances
A past history of depression is reviewed in context; many applicants with resolved mental health histories are approved or granted waivers after thorough evaluation.
Question 4: What does the 'E' category in PULHES specifically assess?
- Endurance capacity during physical fitness testing
- Eyes and visual acuity (Correct answer)
- Emotional and psychological stability
- Ear infection history
Correct answer: Eyes and visual acuity
The 'E' in PULHES stands for Eyes, and the numeric rating reflects visual acuity, color vision, and other ocular function.
Question 5: A recruit is found to have color vision deficiency at MEPS. What is the most likely consequence?
- Complete disqualification from all military service
- Qualification with restrictions on certain color-dependent military occupational specialties (Correct answer)
- No impact on service eligibility whatsoever
- Immediate referral to an ophthalmologist for surgery
Correct answer: Qualification with restrictions on certain color-dependent military occupational specialties
Color vision deficiency does not disqualify from all service but restricts access to jobs requiring color discrimination such as aviation or certain technical roles.
Question 6: Which document is the primary DoD regulation governing medical standards for military enlistment?
- AR 40-501
- DoD Instruction 6130.03 (Correct answer)
- UCMJ Article 15
- FM 7-22
Correct answer: DoD Instruction 6130.03
DoD Instruction 6130.03 establishes the medical standards for appointment, enlistment, and induction into the military services.
Question 7: At MEPS, what is a 'medical waiver' and who typically initiates the process?
- A waiver is automatic when any disqualifying condition is found
- A waiver is a request to override a disqualification, usually initiated by the recruiter or applicant with supporting medical documentation (Correct answer)
- A waiver is issued by the MEPS physician on the day of examination
- A waiver permanently disqualifies an applicant from all future service
Correct answer: A waiver is a request to override a disqualification, usually initiated by the recruiter or applicant with supporting medical documentation
A medical waiver is a formal request submitted with supporting documentation asking the service branch to override a standard disqualifying finding on a case-by-case basis.
MEPS Medical Examinations 4
What is the role of the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) physician during the medical examination?